Issue Position: Economic Development

Issue Position

As a board member for several businesses, I realize that we need economic development to make our state grow. We need new job opportunities for our graduating students. Why train them in the best schools and universities in our state and then send them to another state for employment?
If we help our state grow, we will have a better tax base and in turn help eliminate the unwanted tax increases. All politicians are trying to reduce taxes but how are they going to do that?
As a member of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and your State Representative, I will work endlessly to encourage new business to locate in our county and state. We should seek different forms of incentives to persuade them to move here and promote our new graduates and experienced work force. We have a tremendous pool of people and experience right here in Reno County to attract new business and that's what we need to do.
As an Ark Valley board member, we are committed to finding renewable energy sources. Ark Valley, along with Kansas Electric Power Coop., donated $1,500 to Fairfield school district to purchase a wind generator for students to learn about wind power. We recently sponsored an economic zero interest $740,000 loan with USDA to Sunflower Wind LLC in conjunction with Eaton of Hutchinson to develop cutting edge technology that will change the way wind turbines will operate.
We cannot forget to promote, encourage and take care of our existing businesses. We need to treat farms as small businesses and show how they benefit Reno County. We need to work to ensure that all our businesses stay financially strong, independent and continue to grow, thus creating jobs for our future generations.

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