About Us
Our Vision & Priorities
Over the past year, the PCEDC Board of Directors has been updating the organization's vision, mission, and priorities.
With the long-serving Executive Director retiring, the board revised these key elements and formed a steering committee to oversee the search for a new Executive Director. The committee partnered with Aspen Business Group to conduct a national search, which attracted many applicants from across the country.
In January, the board offered the position to Shanna Goodman. Since her appointment, the organization has been reviewing and analyzing current resources, building upon the strong foundation laid by previous staff and board members. A new strategic plan is forthcoming.
Revised Vision
County-Wide Economic Prosperity Through Partnerships
Revised Mission
Big Picture Priorities
The updated mission was very thoughtful in approach, remaining true to early iterations while simplifying and prioritizing the activities that make the most impact.
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation’s (PCEDC) mission is to catalyze economic growth in the business, agricultural, manufacturing and construction sectors by providing equitable opportunities and partnering with local and regional public and private entities for a prosperous Pottawatomie County.
PCEDC will achieve this mission by focusing on the following objectives;
- Attract and retain businesses through the creation of a pro-business climate that draws upon the R&D engine of Kansas State University and bring together private and public sectors for this purpose.
- Support the enhancement of infrastructure to business and industrial parks but also roads, bridges, utilities, housing and core redevelopment that will be needed to accomplish the first objective.
- Promote organizational and regional cooperation through enhanced communication, coordination and marketing with the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership (GMEP) as well as enhanced cooperation between Pottawatomie County and City Governments of Pottawatomie County for private and public funding of projects that will improve the county as a whole.
- Aid in the development of small business and entrepreneurship that is recognized as the lifeblood of small rural communities by guiding them to best practices training, mentorship and low interest loans for startups.
- Assist in the development of a workforce through enhanced vocational and technical training that will put into action the purpose of these business endeavors.
PCEDC is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization recognized by the State of Kansas and Internal Revenue Service since 1991.
The corporation is served by a 13-member board of directors representing business and community interests across the county and within our region. Board members are appointed by the board of county commissioners on a revolving basis; 3 from each commission district, 3 at-large and 1 permanent position reserved to Evergy (formerly Westar Energy), the largest payer of property tax in the county.
The core operating budget of the corporation is annually financed by county appropriation, doubled by significant private sector and other partner investments. Use of private investor funds is segregated in the action funds.
The Early Vision of the PCEDC
In 1991, a uniquely visionary alliance of local businessmen, county commissioners, and city commissioners banded together to create the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC). In addition, they created two business/industrial parks (visit our sites and buildings info page for more information).
These leaders gave PCEDC the following mission:
“The purposes and objects of the Corporation are to encourage local businesses and industries to expand and new businesses and industries to locate in Pottawatomie County, Kansas, by implementing a comprehensive program of economic development. The Corporation may engage in any activities not precluded by law in furtherance of these purposes and objects.”
Because of the foresight of that original alliance, the PCEDC, with ongoing core budget support from the Pottawatomie County Commission and the help and financial investment of many private and public partners, has made major contributions to industrial and business growth in Pottawatomie County. Now and moving forward, we’re dedicated to acting as a valued resource for economic growth within Pottawatomie County – curating data-based insights about our region on this site is a part of the approach our team takes to do this.
Pottawatomie County, KS, Economic Environment
Pottawatomie County is one of the most rapidly growing counties in Kansas, with a population of more than 22,000 people of whom 20-25% have a direct relationship with Kansas State University. The county is quite large and diverse with a landmass of 862 square miles, of which slightly less than 1 square mile is shared with the City of Manhattan (1/862nd). There is no one dominant community, but rather 12 incorporated municipalities from less than 100 to about 4,500 residents. One unincorporated community, Blue Township, is the fastest growing residential area of the county with more than 3,000 residents. Most of the county is rural and agricultural, but there are city centers scattered across the county.
The regional MSA economy is more than 50% dependent on government expenditures (Fort Riley and Kansas State University are chief among them). However, Pottawatomie County is diverse. For more information on the diversity of the county’s economy, check out on our page about our economy.
The county is faced with huge opportunities if it aligns its development strategies appropriately. The Corporation is uniquely positioned to help facilitate needed alignment. Read our current strategies to learn more about how PCEDC helps existing and new businesses, or reach out to our team to learn more.
