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EDC seeks $50,000 from county for a business-attraction hire as bylaws are formalized
Summary
The EDC of Lawrence/Douglas County requested $50,000 in supplemental funds to hire a position focused on business attraction and expansion; EDC leaders said bylaw changes are formalizing the relationship between the chamber and the EDC and that the position would be shared-cost with the city of Lawrence via a capital campaign.
Representatives of the EDC of Lawrence/Douglas County asked commissioners for $50,000 in supplemental funding to support a direct hire focused on business attraction and expansion as the EDC formalizes its relationship with the Chamber.
An EDC representative said the organization has held meetings this year and updated bylaws to clarify the relationship between partner organizations. The $50,000 request would fund a more robust, directly hired position with shared services for HR, administrative support, communications and advocacy; the EDC also plans a quiet capital campaign and intends to request an additional $50,000 from the City of Lawrence over five years to sustain the position.
"The $50,000 supplemental request is for direct EDC hire," the representative said, adding the new role would concentrate on business attraction, one-on-one work with site selectors and consultants, and better communications with partners.
Commissioners asked about expected returns on investment, staffing capacity, office location and whether the new role would duplicate existing services. The EDC representative said the position would likely be based at the Chamber for shared services but would travel frequently across the county and beyond to pursue attraction and expansion leads.
Why it matters: The EDC framed the hire as a way to increase focused business recruitment and to centralize shared services with partner organizations; commissioners asked for more detail about expected outcomes and cost-sharing before voting.
Next steps: The EDC will continue work on job description and capital campaign outreach; commissioners will consider the supplemental request as part of forthcoming budget decisions.
