Countywide economic development planning kicks off with focus groups and public survey

The Hutchinson City Council received a briefing on a countywide economic development strategic planning process being led this summer by consultant Amy Holloway.

Deborah Tufel of the Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce told the council the city and county are collaborating with partners including Opportunity Funding and Greater Hutch to develop a five‑year strategy focused on workforce, housing, childcare and entrepreneurship.

Amy Holloway, lead consultant, said the project is "focused on a county wide strategy" and will run about five months. "The purpose of my work is to develop a county wide strategic plan focused on, what steps we need to take over the next 5 years to grow our economy, and make this a better place for everyone," Holloway said. Holloway said the team has already held multiple focus groups and expected to complete the work around mid‑October with a public unveiling of the strategy.

Holloway described outreach plans that include a public survey launched June 2 and open through July 1, multiple focus groups and an open house forum at Memorial Hall on June 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. She said organizers had already collected more than 175 survey responses and expected robust focus‑group participation during the consultant's week on the ground.

Council members asked about the format of the open house; Holloway said it will be a come‑and‑go event with several questions and opportunities for one‑on‑one conversation. The presentation did not request council action; staff asked the public to share the survey link and attend the June 18 public forum.

No formal vote was taken. City staff said they would share the survey link and convening information publicly and noted that the strategy will inform county and municipal economic development priorities and potential funding requests.