PSU, city grow economic development partnership

  Friday, March 27, 2015 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University and the City of Pittsburg are taking their economic development partnership to new levels.

Daron Hall, Pittsburg city manager, said the city has agreed to invest $20,000 into the production of two regional economic reports that are developed by Pittsburg State business faculty. The two reports are the quarterly Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Report and the annual Pittsburg Micropolitan Area Economic Profile. 

The reports, which are distributed to more than 900 area and regional businesses, feature the latest facts and figures regarding economic, property and employment trends in the region.

Led by assistant professor and economic researcher Michael Davidsson, the Kelce College of Business at Pitt State develops the reports to give area and regional business leaders a close look at the economic status of Pittsburg and surrounding communities.

“It’s a broad overview of every sector of our regional economy,” Davidsson said. “Its purpose is to help our business people be more informed about the economy so they can better position themselves for success in the future.”

Hall said the reports provide valuable information to local and regional business leaders.

“The city is committed to getting useful information to our citizens and businesses in order to allow them to make good decisions,” Hall said. “By utilizing the talent at PSU, specifically Dr. Davidsson, we now have access to this information and can quickly distribute it to our community and beyond.”

Blake Benson, president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and economic development director for the city, said the PSU-led effort is beneficial for both new and existing local businesses.

“One of the reasons this is attractive to us is that this type of demographic information is commonly requested not only by prospective businesses interested in Pittsburg, but it’s also great information for our existing business community,” Benson said. “Existing business owners want to be aware of our community’s economic health, along with any developing trends that could affect their business.”

Davidsson said the funds provided by the city help offset the cost of publication of the reports and that he’s grateful for the support from the city and chamber.

“Pittsburg is lucky to have leaders who believe in the importance of economic development,” he said. “This effort between PSU, the city and the chamber has put Pittsburg on the radar for companies in the region. It shows we are serious about economic development.”