Economic development recruitment will be one focus for the Junction City delegation attending the annual AUSA convention in Washington D.C. this year.

Mayor Pat Landes reported this week that the EDC Director Mickey Fornaro-Dean will be attending the meeting again this year, and there is an attempt to try to get the new Military Affairs Director, Craig Bender, to attend as well.

Landes stated, “We will be holding an economic development reception for all the vendors there at the meeting to try to get them to look into moving their business or coming to Junction City, and turn that Military Affairs Director position into kind of a position that assists EDC.”  Bender’s hiring was just announced this week and it is expected to be late this year or early next year before he can begin working in Junction City. He is still an active duty service member but will be retiring in the near future.

The AUSA meeting in Washington D.C. will be in October.