Talking points on four main topics that will be discussed during the Flint Hills Regional Retreat Friday and Saturday in Overland Park were developed Tuesday morning.

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce held it’s Community Retreat Tuesday morning at the C.L. Hoover Opera House. Approximately 55 people attended the retreat and gave their feedback on key topics that will be discussed at the regional retreat. Those topics included land use, transportation in the region, workforce development and branding.

The talking points were developed during group work sessions. For land use a common talking point brought up revolved around identifying shovel ready industrial land and land that could be developed industrially in the future. To go along with that it was also brought up, who pays to develop that land and are there other funding opportunities to develop that land.

Transportation in the region was identified as a priority by those in attendance. Ideas to improve transportation regionally included adding a light rail service between Abilene and Wamego that would have stops at every point in between including Junction City and Fort Riley. Another idea discussed included expanding the aTa Bus service to increase the number of bus’s and stops in each community.

Looking at local transportation projects the east street expansion project was discussed as well as creating more bike paths and better sidewalks around the community.

The common theme out of the discussion on workforce development was identifying who we need to train and what training to offer. Also in order to develop and grow the work force it was brought up that making Junction City a desirable place to live, work and play is important.

When it came down to branding it was said that Junction City and Geary County is the brand but how do we identify that brand?

Identity’s for Junction City and Geary County that were developed included Diverse, Friendly People, Grounded, Small Town with a Big Heart and the Gateway to the Animal Health Corridor.

The identity for the region was also discussed and the ideas brought up for that included Hardcore Heartland, Jewel of Kansas, Vast Horizons Endless Opportunities and Just That Good.

All of the talking points developed will be taken to, and shared at the regional retreat Friday and Saturday in Overland Park.