Pittsburg Citywide Survey
By: Jessica Schaer
Updated: February 13, 2013
PITTSBURG, KS.--- Pittsburg City Commissioners are excited after a plan to make Pittsburg a medical, retail, and hospitality hub was finally revealed tonight.
"I am more excited now about the future of Pittsburg, Kansas than I have been in a number of years. I think we have key people in place to make sure that we are successful," says Marty Beexley, Pittsburg City Commissioner.
One goal includes helping new and existing businesses flourish. A citywide survey is expected within the next few weeks to find out why customers are taking their buying power to other cities instead of shopping locally.
"That really is a first step in identifying businesses that our local residents are supporting. They're just supporting them in other communities," says Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber members set a goal to connect with at least 60 potential outside businesses per year to bring to the area. They also say population and income per capital is the biggest reason some business owners decide not to come to the city.
"Those traditional numbers don't factor in the buying power that Pittsburg State University students bring with them," says Benson.
So, capitalizing on the impact Pittsburg State has on the community is also a priority. A separate survey just for Pittsburg State students is also expected within the next few weeks to find out what they want to see in the community.
"Economic development is something that obviously affects everyone and everyone is interested in," says Benson.
One of the only things missing tonight was a timeline of when these efforts will be completed. Chambers members plan to have that finalized in about a month. As far as costs for all these ideas, chamber members say they will deal with each vision and project one at a time.
"I am more excited now about the future of Pittsburg, Kansas than I have been in a number of years. I think we have key people in place to make sure that we are successful," says Marty Beexley, Pittsburg City Commissioner.
One goal includes helping new and existing businesses flourish. A citywide survey is expected within the next few weeks to find out why customers are taking their buying power to other cities instead of shopping locally.
"That really is a first step in identifying businesses that our local residents are supporting. They're just supporting them in other communities," says Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber members set a goal to connect with at least 60 potential outside businesses per year to bring to the area. They also say population and income per capital is the biggest reason some business owners decide not to come to the city.
"Those traditional numbers don't factor in the buying power that Pittsburg State University students bring with them," says Benson.
So, capitalizing on the impact Pittsburg State has on the community is also a priority. A separate survey just for Pittsburg State students is also expected within the next few weeks to find out what they want to see in the community.
"Economic development is something that obviously affects everyone and everyone is interested in," says Benson.
One of the only things missing tonight was a timeline of when these efforts will be completed. Chambers members plan to have that finalized in about a month. As far as costs for all these ideas, chamber members say they will deal with each vision and project one at a time.
