The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation announced Tuesday the formation of a regional economic development alliance to be called the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership.

Funded entirely through private dollars raised in both Manhattan and Pottawatomie County, the partnership is the result of years work and discussions among economic development organizations in the region.

This does not include Junction City or Geary County.

In Junction City the Interim CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, Mickey Dean-Fornaro, stated it’s something Manhattan has been working on for some time and there have been past conversations. “I think that working regionally is a positive. I think right now Junction City, and they’re aware of this, we have a lot of things on our plate we’re trying to get enacted and rolling. We can go on board and be partners in that respect if that’s what we choose to do at any time.” Dean added right now Junction City will be good neighbors, work regionally and partner with them but is not just a part of the formal organization at this time.

Pottawatomie County EDC President Doug Springer aid the possibility exists for the new partnership to grow over time to include additional counties in the Greater Manhattan area. Future members will have to apply to join the partnership, be able to contribute financially, and be willing to collaborate openly with other economic development professionals.