Profile:

The First Inception of the Regional Planning Commission was formed in 1969 as nine counties in southeast Kansas to be a part of the Ozarks Regional Commission.  Permission was granted under Executive Order K.S.A. 12-716 in 1971, by the Governor of the State of Kansas, to become Planning and Development Region 02, in conformance with State Planning Boundaries for the purpose of practicing comprehensive planning, cooperative endeavors and technical assistance for the cities and counties in the region.  The agency was named SEE-KAN Regional Planning Commission.  In 1972, the Commission, on behalf of the nine counties, made application for designation as an Economic Development District (EDD) from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in Washington, DC, under the name of Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC).  The nine counties were Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson.  This designation from EDA was received on December 1, 1977.  In the mid-1980s, Anderson, Linn and Coffey Counties had received permission from the Governor to join the SEKRPC with rights and duties of members as described in the Bylaws of the Commission.  SEKRPC serves twelve counties and eighty-eight cities and towns.  From the governmental units and other population segments in the region, 60 representatives have been appointed to serve on the SEKRPC Executive Committee and General Commission.  The General Commission determines policies for SEKRPC.

The Mission of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission

It shall be the mission of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission to promote the growth and prosperity of Southeast Kansas by providing technical assistance, planning and project development services to its members.

In fulfilling its mission, SEKRPC will assist counties and communities by:

1. Developing and maintaining a regional economic development plan.
2. Facilitating the development of local strategic plans.
3. Facilitating applications and reports necessary for Non-metropolitan Enhanced Enterprise Zone Certification.
4. Providing technical assistance for the formation and development of public works projects for infrastructure improvements, job creation and housing rehabilitation/demolition.
5. Developing funding proposals for various types of public works projects for infrastructure improvements, job creation and housing rehabilitation/demolition.
6. Administering grants and loans that are awarded to fund various types of public works projects for infrastructure improvements, job creation and housing rehabilitation/demolition.
7. Providing plant closing and other important economic information to the United States Department of Commerce as a designated Economic Development District.
8. Facilitating regional cooperation in addressing economic and community development issues.
9. Serving as a point of contact for accessing the various local, regional, state and federal economic and community development programs.
10. Facilitating educational programs that serve to inform and train community leaders and public officials regarding economic and community development issues.

The Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission will remain true to its mission by exercising sound stewardship of physical, human and financial resources.  SEKRPC will not squander its limited resources by trying to become "all things to all people."  All activities, plans, proposals and projects that are considered by the agency must be evaluated with regard to relevancy to the agency's mission.