Economic development board considers contracting support for Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge; SEK Inc. presents regional workforce and housing initiatives

County commissioners heard two related presentations about economic development: one from Jennifer Leech Harlow on behalf of the local economic-development board and one from Patty Ann Sanborn, director of SEK Inc., a Southeast Kansas economic-development nonprofit.

Jennifer Leech Harlow asked the commission whether to retain the county’s economic-development board and how to staff imminent programs, including the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC). Harlow said the YEC normally takes place in March and that the program provides awards (historically a $1,000 first prize and a $500 second prize) and the administrative work of organizing teachers, judges, venues and prizes.

Harlow said many board members carry full-time jobs and that several had warned they would resign if additional time commitments were imposed. She proposed hiring a contract worker to administer YEC and related programs — possibly on a flat-fee basis for specific events — and to move the board to quarterly meetings. Commissioners asked Harlow to obtain written cost estimates for each program (YEC, summer youth employment grant, daycare grant, sidewalk and home-improvement programs) and to provide a job description and timetable for any contract work; the county attorney offered to draft contracts once the commission provides the terms.

Patty Ann Sanborn, director of SEK Inc., described regional projects the nonprofit supports across a 12-county Southeast Kansas region, including workforce development, career-technical-education support (CTE), housing initiatives and childcare. Sanborn said prior housing forums drew significant attendance and that some local approaches — including moving and repurposing modest homes — can be used to expand housing supply. She also highlighted childcare workforce development efforts that connect community-college training with local childcare operations.

Commissioners expressed support for maintaining program momentum for YEC and other initiatives and asked staff to return with cost proposals and a draft scope of work for possible contract support.

Ending: Staff will collect cost estimates, draft job descriptions and return to the commission with a recommended contracting approach for the most time-sensitive events, starting with the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge.