Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition

Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition
Name	Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition
Formation	2010
Type	Nonprofit economic development organization
Headquarters	Wichita, Kansas
Region served	Sedgwick County, Wichita metropolitan area
Leader title	President & CEO

Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is a public-private economic development organization based in Wichita, Kansas, focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion across the Wichita metropolitan area. It serves as a centralized development entity connecting municipal, county, and statewide stakeholders to support aerospace, advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics firms. The coalition works closely with local institutions and corporations to leverage workforce, infrastructure, and innovation assets for regional growth.

History

The coalition was formed through collaboration among City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, Wichita State University, and leading private-sector partners in response to shifting industry dynamics in the early 21st century. Its establishment followed efforts similar to those of regional development organizations such as Greater Des Moines Partnership, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Greater Houston Partnership. The organization’s early initiatives responded to the contraction and restructuring of major aerospace employers like Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Textron Aviation in the Wichita area, and aligned with statewide strategies from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Bioscience Authority. Over time the coalition incorporated lessons from economic recovery efforts after events including the 2008 financial crisis and regional infrastructure projects such as expansions at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.

Organization and Governance

The coalition is governed by a board comprising elected officials from the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, executives from firms such as Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, Learjet, and representatives from higher education institutions including Wichita State University, Friends University, and Butler Community College. Its staff often coordinate with state-level entities like the Kansas Department of Commerce and regional utilities including Kansas Gas Service and Westar Energy. Advisory councils have included leaders from trade associations such as the National Association of Manufacturers, Aerospace Industries Association, and regional chambers like the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. Governance practices reference models used by Economic Development Administration-funded organizations and comply with Kansas nonprofit statutes overseen by the Kansas Secretary of State.

Economic Development Programs and Initiatives

Programs emphasize business recruitment, workforce development, and site readiness. Workforce initiatives partner with Wichita State University, National Institute for Aviation Research, Kansas Board of Regents, and vocational providers such as Sedgwick County Technical College to cultivate talent pipelines for employers like Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation. Site development efforts coordinate with infrastructure projects involving Kansas Department of Transportation and port authorities modeled on practices from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Cluster strategies target aerospace, logistics, and advanced manufacturing and draw on federal tools such as Opportunity Zones and incentives similar to New Markets Tax Credit. The coalition also administers business retention visits and expansion programs aligned with standards from the International Economic Development Council.

Partnerships and Regional Impact

The coalition maintains partnerships with higher education institutions including Wichita State University, Hutchinson Community College, and Kansas State University for research and workforce training. It collaborates with corporations like Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, Cessna, and logistics firms such as FedEx and BNSF Railway to enhance supply chain competitiveness. Regional collaboration extends to neighboring municipal entities such as Salina, Kansas and Derby, Kansas, and statewide coordination with Kansas Department of Commerce and economic organizations like the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The coalition’s work has influenced regional initiatives in innovation and entrepreneurship with partners including NetApp, Eaton Corporation, and incubators modeled after MassChallenge and Techstars.

Funding and Financial Structure

Funding is a mix of public appropriations from the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County, Kansas, private membership dues from corporations including Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, and grants aligned with federal programs such as those administered by the Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration. The coalition pursues targeted incentives and financing tools coordinated with entities like the Kansas Development Finance Authority and local utility partners such as Evergy. Fiscal oversight involves financial reporting consistent with standards from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board for public contributions and nonprofit accounting practices guided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Key Projects and Achievements

Notable achievements include supporting facility expansions for aerospace manufacturers linked to contracts with Boeing and defense primes, facilitating site certification efforts modeled on SelectUSA best practices, and contributing to workforce pipeline programs with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research. The coalition has been involved in downtown and airport-area redevelopment projects similar to initiatives in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City, Missouri, and has helped secure relocation or expansion of firms in logistics and advanced manufacturing. Collaborative achievements also extend to grant awards from the U.S. Department of Transportation and partnerships on innovation projects with organizations like NASA and the U.S. Air Force.

Category:Organizations based in Wichita, Kansas Category:Economic development organizations in the United States