Rural Economic Advisory Board outlines outreach, business engagement and housing push

MANHATTAN — Kirk Crabtree presented the June quarterly report from the Riley County Rural Economic Development Advisory Board, urging outreach to smaller cities and unincorporated areas and laying out steps to support local business and workforce housing.

Crabtree said REDAB will run town‑hall style awareness meetings to increase public knowledge of the county’s 20‑year Riley County Together comprehensive plan and the economic development chapter. The board also plans a "rural preneur" recognition program to highlight local entrepreneurs and set up mentorship workshops led by local business leaders rather than outside consultants.

On housing, Crabtree said REDAB will help small cities complete the Kansas housing assessment tool — a step often required to apply for state housing funds — and host a roundtable of builders and bankers to identify barriers to workforce housing construction. "One of our first goals is communities awareness of the Riley County Together plan," Crabtree said, describing an emphasis on practical, local partnerships and volunteer engagement to amplify county efforts.

REDAB plans to present a recognition award at a July meeting and will coordinate with county staff on event logistics.