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Kandiyoi County economic development director outlines regional grants, broadband and workforce focus
Summary
Barbara Carr, executive director of Kandiyoi County Economic Development, briefed commissioners on the organization's priorities—industrial recruitment, agricultural innovation, broadband expansion, childcare and workforce retention—and said future grant funding will favor regional proposals.
Barbara Carr, executive director of Kandiyoi County Economic Development (KCED), presented the county economic development agency's priorities for the coming year and highlighted shifts in grant programs that favor regional approaches.
Carr said KCED focuses on recruitment and retention, site selection assistance, and value‑added agricultural processing. She said the agency is increasingly emphasizing broadband access, childcare capacity and workforce development as essential supports for business growth.
Carr told commissioners that many state and federal grant programs now favor regional applications and partnerships rather than single‑jurisdiction projects, so KCED is preparing a strategic plan update and plans to align with Vision 2040 regional strategies. She also noted that past ARPA funds helped some broadband builds but that future coverage will require additional and different funding sources.
Why it matters: county officials said economic development priorities—especially broadband, workforce and childcare—link directly to business retention and recruitment, and that regional coordination will be essential to secure larger infrastructure grants.
Next steps: KCED will begin a strategic plan update in January and complete it by July 2026 to be competitive for 2026 funding programs. Commissioners and city partners will be invited to participate in planning work groups.
