Commission seeks to join EDA technical site study after regional council alert

Commissioners discussed a federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant opportunity for a technical and industry site study that would assess local industrial sites, infrastructure needs and compatibility for future development.

Speaker 4 reported the Flint Hills Regional Council raised the EDA grant; the study would pay 80% with a 20% local match. Speaker 4 said Riley County and Manhattan want to be part of the study and that Manhattan’s chamber and economic development entity "offered to pay the 20%" so participating counties would have no direct cost. Speaker 4 said county staff had not been told Geary County would be excluded and instructed staff to participate, saying, "we do wanna participate."

Commissioners asked staff to follow up with the economic development director, confirm enrollment and, if necessary, send a formal letter or direction to ensure Geary County is included in the regional application. No final funding commitment by Geary County was authorized in the meeting — staff were directed to work to secure participation at no county cost if the match offer holds.

Next steps include staff confirmation and intergovernmental coordination to finalize county participation before the EDA grant application deadlines.