Kathy Gall, owner of Barnes Small Engine in Paola, told the Miami County Board of County Commissioners that the county’s economic development office helped her start and grow her family business and that the office’s recent staff reduction has left programs without a champion.

"The Miami County Economic Development Department was just that. It was the 1 stop shop for small businesses, and that shop is now closed," Gall said during public comment. She said the department connected her to grant money and a low-interest loan through the eCommunity program affiliated with Network Kansas, which she credited with helping her hire employees and buy supplies when she opened.

Gall said she volunteers on the eCommunity loan review committee and has served as a panelist for the department’s business training classes, and warned the commissioners that terminating the economic development position "effective immediately" risks losing programs and funding sources that supported local entrepreneurs.

Janet White, a resident of Parker, said she has been working with county staff on extending internet service to underserved areas and expressed uncertainty about who will be the future county contact for broadband projects now that staffing is changing. "Who's gonna be the champion for that?" she asked the board.

The public comments did not produce formal direction or a vote. Commissioners did not state a follow-up assignment on the record during the meeting. The comments appeared in the public-comment portion of the agenda and were not part of a separate agenda item.

The speakers' remarks included specific program names and a claim that 85% of Miami County businesses are small businesses; Gall characterized the economic development office as a direct source for grants, loans and business training. The county did not provide, during the meeting, additional details about the decision to eliminate the position, any planned exit strategy, or which staff or office would assume outstanding program responsibilities.