The CEO of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce is planning to propose to do a capital campaign in the coming year.

Tom Weigand told the Junction City Commission Tuesday night that one of his goals for 2014 will be to hold some kind of capital campaign that would raise pledge money that would be pledged over a five year period.

“I would like to raise a couple million bucks over the five years to give us some opportunity to assist the city and county in the recruitment and incentivizing,” Weigand said. “As well as, helping with infrastructure and getting some land locked up and under contract. It takes a lot of money these days.”

Weigand said that Pottawatomie County held their first campaign this year and raised $1 million. Manhattan has had three different campaigns and this year raised $2.7 million and Topeka raised $5.4 million this year.

He explained that economic development doesn’t happen over night and it takes more than just tax money. “It takes private money, private enterprise and the commitment of those who put the money in, skin in the game, help recruit and be a positive force in our community.”

Weigand presented the Chambers Annual Report to the City Commission during their meeting Tuesday night.