Linda Salem, president of Great Plains Manufacturing, wants to figure out a way to sell Salina.
The city has many good things to offer, she said, but no mountain and no seashore, which makes it more difficult to attract the employees Great Plains needs.
Great Plains has about 1,500 employees, but like many manufacturers, it could use more skilled workers, she said, particularly machinists, draftsmen and engineers.
Not enough students are graduating from Salina Area Technical College to fill the needs, she said Thursday, after an hour-and-a-half tour for the Salina Community Economic Development Organization board of directors and guests.
Mitch Robinson, executive director of the economic development organization, said during the group’s board meeting that he saw a need for more of a connection between industry and education.
(Read more: News – Salina Journal)