Emporia city leaders look to diversify board leadership

EMPORIA (KSNT) - City leaders in Emporia want to make changes to a board that has a vital part in the city's growth.

On Dec. 19, Emporia city commissioners sent a letter to the Regional Development Association (RDA) Board, which is a group of members that controls money that emporia provides. However, over the last year and a half, the city has grown concerns about the makeup of the board.

The board is essentially the city's steward towards businesses with a heavy focus on large businesses, and according to the city's website, it's currently made up of eight members including six men and two women.

In the board's history, 40 members have been men, and only five women. City leaders say they would rather have better representation with more diversity. They also want to focus on people who are qualified and represent multiple perspectives.

Secondly, they want more of a say on what happens with taxpayers' money. The mayor told 27 News he hopes to make some changes in the next few weeks.

"If they come back with solutions to our concerns, we'll move forward as of January 21st. If they do not, we meet as a city commission on January 22nd and we would evaluate our next steps," Mayor Erren Harter said.

These concerns come at a time not only when employment is down in emporia, but income as well. Since 2007, employment has decreased around 2,500 people, while the median household income is nearly $28,000 less than the national median.

By making these changes to the RDA board, the city believes it can better create long-term growth, more above-market paying jobs and sustainable economic development for the city.

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