The city of Parsons will represent the Great Plains Industrial Park and Labette County in a collaborative economic development effort called Grow Labette County.
The Parsons City Commission approved an agreement with the county and Great Plains Development Authority on Monday evening. The commissioners’ approval is contingent upon the other entities signing the agreement with no major changes. It also hinges on Great Plains receiving federal funding.
Jim Zaleski, economic development director for the city, said Wednesday the Labette County Commission has approved the agreement as well as the Great Plains Development Authority board, but it hasn’t been signed yet.
Great Plains will pay the city $60,000 annually under the agreement while the county will chip in $20,000 each year. The joint effort will begin in January. Great Plains’ contribution would come from the federal Office of Economic Adjustment, which helps fund the industrial park after it was converted from the former Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. The OEA hasn’t approved the funding for the agreement yet.
Zaleski will direct the new marketing effort, with help and input from the Labette County Commission and the Great Plains board and employees. Each entity will appoint up to two members to an advisory board that will oversee the collaboration. The board will meet at least four times a year for two years and then as needed, but at least once yearly.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)