Senators invite Southeast Kansans to participate in economic summit

The "Together We Succeed: Southeast Kansas Economic Improvement" Initiative -- launched by Southeast Kansas Senators Pat Apple, Jeff King, Bob Marshall and Dwayne Umbarger -- will host an economic summit on Thursday, November 17, at St. John's Catholic Parish Hall, 310 South Jefferson Ave., in Iola.

The summit is the second phase of the Senators' economic growth initiative. The first phase included research on the region's key economic indicators and interviews with community leaders in Southeast Kansas. Collectively, 17 counties in Southeast Kansas have the highest poverty rates, highest unemployment rates and lowest county health rankings compared to any other region in the state. The purpose of the November 17 summit is to discuss the research gathered in Phase 1 and, more importantly, to develop long-term strategies for addressing the region's most pressing economic concerns.

Summit speakers will include Governor Sam Brownback and Charles Fluharty, president of the Rural Policy Research Institute. Kansans participating in the summit will also take part in breakout sessions to discuss the issues that hinder economic growth in the region.

The summit is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited so Kansans are encouraged to register online at http://www.wix.com/togetherwesucceedsek/together-we-succeed.