By: The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) | 8.06.24
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
The PCEDC Board of Directors has adopted a new vision statement: “Prosperity through partnerships.” This emphasizes the importance of collaboration in Pottawatomie County. To promote county-wide economic prosperity, we identified three key pillars: “Advocate,” “Inform,” and “Connect.” As an organization, we are committed to advocating for community collaboration and growth, informing the public about important issues and opportunities, and connecting essential resources, people, and partners.
One recent example of these efforts was the five County Candidate Forums that PCEDC co-hosted with local chambers and municipalities during the summer of 2024. These forums were held as four county commissioner seats, along with the positions of county attorney and sheriff, were up for election.
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.
Independent Corporation Supported by Pottawatomie County and Local Business Community
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.
Q1 2024 PCEDC Economic Indicators Report
Q2 2024 PCEDC Economic Indicators Report