Seven counties within the Flint Hills have come together and each signed a resolution to form an Economic Development District.

Representatives of the seven counties which make up the Flint Hills Regional Council Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley and Wabaunsee counties, signed the resolution during the FHRC’s meeting Friday in Junction City.

Ben Bennett, Geary County Commissioner, signed the resolution for Geary county.

“We’re looking forward to the future, we’re looking forward to sustaining the Flint Hills Regional Council and we’re looking forward to working together with all of our friends and neighbors toward common causes and the common good,” Bennett said.

Gary Stith, FHRC Associate Planner explained the next step will be to apply for a federal designation that will allow the EDD to apply for $60,000 worth of federal grants through the EDA.

“The federal designation will give us a source of some federal funding to help, but it’s what we do as a group of seven counties and the communities in those counties working together that’s really going to make a difference.”

Stith further explained that the EDD will get started right away on some of their action plans while waiting for the official designation.

“Marketing, branding and setting up a site selection website so that people who are interested in bringing their business to this area can identify places they where they can actually locate their business,” Stith said.

The website would also provide information on the district and go over the economy and the opportunities available within it.