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Manhattan Area Chamber outlines 1–3 year growth plan and performance metrics; commissioners press for concrete targets
Summary
Chamber President Jason Smith and economic director Darren Soldan presented a 1–3 year economic growth strategy focused on export‑oriented, higher‑wage jobs, housing capacity and sites/buildings inventory; commissioners asked for clearer, outcome‑based targets tied to funding.
Jason Smith, president and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, and Darren Soldan, executive vice president and director of economic development, presented the chamber’s 1–3 year economic growth plan and a new metrics framework at the March 25 commission meeting. The plan prioritizes export‑oriented, higher‑wage sectors, development‑ready sites and increased housing supply to address a multi‑year revenue shortfall tied to stagnant population and job growth.
Smith summarized the assessment done with an external economist and said Manhattan scores very highly on quality‑of‑life measures but has been flat in population and job growth while costs—particularly housing—have risen. The chamber’s strategy focuses on growing high‑wage sectors that leverage…
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