We would like to thank all of the speakers that took time from
their busy schedules to participate in our 2007 Economic Forum and make it a
great success. Several of the speakers from the Forum have provided their
presentations for review:
Janet Harrah-
Measuring Economic Performance of
Cowley County also see the
Complete report of Cowley County data
Stan Ahlerich-
Leveraging our Foundations &
Designing the Future: A Kansas Economic Renaissance
Holly Martin-
Agriculture- It's Impact on the Economy
Steve Hill-
Investing in the Future of
Southern Kansas
Josh Oeding- The
Role of Venture Capital in Economic Development
Sid Regnier-
Vision 20/20
----------------------------------
"People, Place and Possibilities," the 2007 Cowley County
Economic Forum, will take place Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Brown Center in Arkansas
City. The theme of this annual forum will focus on the strengths of Cowley
County and
how we position ourselves for the future.
Featured speakers include Janet Harrah, Director of the Center for Economic
Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, and Kansas
Secretary of Commerce Dave Kerr, who will be the keynote speaker.
Among local speakers scheduled are Stan Ahlerich, Winfield, president of Kansas
Inc., whose mission is to strategically build a strong, diversified economy;
David A. Nichols, author of "A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginnings
of the Civil Rights Revolution;² and Steve Hill, president of the Legacy
Regional Community Foundation.
Winfield native, Holly (Campbell) Martin, Editor of the High Plains Journal, a
regional agricultural publication based in Dodge City that covers 12 states,
will speak about changes in agriculture and the impact on our local economy.
A panel of business and venture capital experts will speak about the importance
of venture capital as a driver for economic growth in our region. A question and
answer session will give audience members an opportunity to
take part in the discussion.
The afternoon Vision 2020 session will kick off with David Rebein, founding
partner in a Dodge City law firm and former President of the Kansas Bar
Association. ³Rebein will be delivering the message Celebrate What¹s Right with
Kansas,¹" said Debra Teufel, Cowley First Director of Economic Development. "His
thoughts have been well received across the state. He should be an inspiration
to the audience to take pride in our Kansas heritage and the future of our
state.²
The theme of the 2007 Economic Forum builds upon Cowley County¹s Vision 2020,
the countywide strategic planning process which sets priorities that impact our
People, Place, Economy, Culture and Health, said Teufel. The forum will
wrap up with a session led by Sid Regnier, Arkansas City, a
Vision 2020 Implementation team member, along with local facilitators who will
assist with breakout sessions related to the issues in each of these areas.
A $25 registration fee includes lunch and program materials. Sponsors of this
year's forum include CornerBank, Union State Bank, Home National Bank, Citizens
Bank, Bank of the West, Community National Bank, Southwestern
College, Cowley College, Cowley First Economic Development Partnership, the
Arkansas City and Winfield Area Chambers of Commerce, the Winfield Publishing
Company and KSOK Radio.
Bruce Schwyhart, president of CornerBank, will moderate the forum, which is
scheduled to open at 8:00 a.m. and will wrap up at 3:00 p.m. For tickets or more
information, contact one of the event sponsors, visit www.cowleyfirst.com, or
contact Cowley First at 221-9951 or by e-mail at dteufel@cowleycounty.org.
Special Thanks to
the Sponsors of the 2007 Cowley County Economic Forum:
Arkansas City Area
Chamber of Commerce, Bank of the West, Citizens Bank, Community National Bank,
CornerBank, Cowley College, Cowley First-Cowley County Economic Development
Partnership, Home National Bank, KSOK Radio, Legacy Regional Community
Foundation,
Southwestern
College, Union State Bank, Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and Winfield
Publishing Company
Cowley
First
