A feasibility study on whether the Chamber of Commerce in Junction City should undertake a capital fundraising campaign for economic development produced a number of observations.

Jerry Hinson worked on the study for the Chamber. He owns Opportunity Funding and Regional Development Associates.

He reported to the Board:

–There has not been enough time spent on economic development. This initiative could take care of that need.   More of a focus is needed on economic development.

–People believe a professional economic development organization and a fulltime economic development director are needed.

–This community is looking for this organization ( Chamber of Commerce ) to take its rightful place in leading economic development.

–City and County leaders must champion the cause.

–Existing businesses must be addressed, and called on.  Business retention and expansion was one of the core strategies mentioned. Others included workforce development, business recruitment and marketing, enhancing economic development, and entrepreneurship and small business.

–Leaders of the initiative should begin working on an inventory of shovel ready sites and prepare a plan.   Hinson noted a minimum size of shovel ready land for a project should be 25 to 50 acres, and at some point the Chamber would need 200 acres locked down, and have a plan for it.

–If the Chamber is going to be in the game there must be a solid marketing plan. Determinations would need to be made about what fits in Junction City, and what the Chamber would try to attract.

–There should be an oversight committee for this initiative. The investors have to drive this program. There has to be a place at the table for them.

Some of the hurdles mentioned by Hinson included:

–Leadership, and a concern some has been lost. Hinson also added he believes there a wealth of leadership in Junction City.

–The city’s financial situation was a concern.

–The self image. Hinson felt both internal and external marketing plans were needed.

–Workforce work ethic. Hinson reported some of those concerns must be driven back into the schools to ensure job searching and coping skills are taught.

During a discussion of unfavorable factors he observed:

–The consolidated Chamber of Commerce needs to step up the pace

–There is confusion over Chamber of Commerce and EDC roles

–A lot of attention is paid to naysayers, and that has influenced other leaders from stepping forward.

–Uncertainty about the direction the City will take on its debt issue.

But there were also favorable factors cited.

–In the Flinthills there is a strong sense this community has a tremendous upside.

–If growth is coming Junction City has to be at the table, and get ready to do it.

–And he thought business leaders were ready to come forward in a unified force.

The Chamber Board will review the feasibility study and await a report on a separate site consultant’s study.  No final decisions have been made at this point.