PITTSBURG, Kan. —
The steering committee of Pittsburg Imagine 2030 wanted to have the entire visioning effort complete by July, and it is close.
After about six months of data collection, focus groups, online surveys, one-on-one interviews and town hall meetings, the steering committee has established teams to tackle what emerged as the four top issues to work on in the next 17 years.
“We’ve really been trying to get the community’s feel for the challenges and opportunities we face here, and we’re now moving to discussing possible solutions,” said Blake Benson, president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the steering committee.
One team will focus on housing under the leadership of Steve Sloan, a chamber member and president of Midwest Minerals. Sloan served on a residents’ advisory board that previously researched the issue and made recommendations to the city commission.
Another team will focus on economic development under the leadership of Jeff Poe, former chamber board chairman who heads up Pitt Plastics, one of Pittsburg’s largest employers.
A third team will focus on public wellness under the leadership of Randy Cason, chief executive officer of Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
The fourth team will focus on infrastructure under the leadership of Monica Murnan, former director of the Family Resource Center. Murnan spearheaded the drive to pass the city street tax in 2010.
“Throughout this process we’ve really tried to get a well-rounded view of every one of these issues,” Benson said. “I think each of our team leaders have enabled us to do that; they each bring a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge.”
Each team met initially to discuss its focus area and begin brainstorming possible solutions and how to capitalize on opportunities and resources. The steering committee will meet this month to review each team’s notes and establish a plan of action, Benson said.
“I feel like we have a lot of momentum; we’re backed by PSU, by the business community, by residents, and we don’t want to slow down,” he said.
The steering committee plans to release the plan to the community via a posting on the chamber website or possibly a website devoted entirely to Imagine 2030.
The survey is being administered by the Bernard Consulting Group Inc. The plan will be monitored, according to the group’s president, John Deadwyler, in order to assure the plan “doesn’t end up on the top shelf.”
Funding
The steering committee obtained $75,000 in private donations from individuals and businesses to fund the $100,000 project; the City Commission authorized spending $25,000 to make up the shortfall.
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