The Kosciusko Leadership Academy cadets met at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Feb. 20 where they heard from Nick King, Matt Sandy and Suzie Light about the Future of Kosciusko County.
King, airport manager, revealed that the Warsaw Municipal Airport is the fifth largest in the state in terms of economic impact. With over 16,000 annual flight operations, a recent study revealed that the airport brings $860 million annually to the Warsaw community.
He also spoke about the many educational community events hosted at the airport, including SOAR and Goodwill Veterans stand down event.
Light, interim co-CEO of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, presented on economic development in Kosciusko County. She discussed the successes and challenges facing the county in economic development.
The main challenges are attracting talent to the area and housing. In the KEDCO pipeline are 31 housing projects throughout the county. KEDCO’s mission is to bring the right people and partnerships together to help solve problems for a thriving community.
Sandy, director of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, presented on planning concerns for Kosciusko County and what area planning is: the “overall guiding force for growth and development within jurisdiction.”
Sandy also presented a brief history of Kosciusko County and how the area plan commission analyzes, sets goals and implements them through planning tools such as zoning, ordinances, incentives and regulations.
For the next KLA session, the cadets will meet March 5 at the Kosciusko Community YMCA to hear about city, county and state government.
The Kosciusko Leadership Academy is in its 42nd year of service to our county. As an independent 501-3(c) organization, KLA conducts biweekly morning sessions around the county to expose leaders to a wide variety of local topics and experts. The annual whitepaper projects have yielded many benefits to the citizens of Kosciusko County. For more information, visit www.kocsciuskoleadership.org.