1. REAP A Council of Governments
Andover Central Park
Andover, KS
photo taken by
Sunny Smith
REGIONAL
ECONOMIC
AREA
PARTNERSHIP
2014 Annual Report

2. A message from our Chair
2014 was a year of great progress and change for the
Regional Economic Area Partnership. I am pleased to
have served this organization as Chair over the past
two years as we worked to move the economy of South
Central Kansas forward and to a brighter future. My
sincere thanks to the members of REAP for providing
strong support and leadership during this time of
transition.
REAP should be pleased with the 2014 designation
from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which named
a 27 county region in South Central Kansas as one of
the 12 “Manufacturing Communities” in the Country.
This designation has the potential to bring significant
investments in economic and manufacturing development
to the region over the next two years. The organization’s
involvement with the Export Now regional strategic plan
and the Blueprint for Regional Economic Growth (BREG)
Industry Cluster Study are of particular importance as
REAP moves forward in 2015.
I would be remiss if I did not especially thank Keith
Lawing and Kelly Bergeron. Their value to REAP
during this time of restructuring and refocus has been
inestimable. And without exception they have been a
resource, support and encouragement to me. With their
continuing service the new Chairman will also have an
enjoyable and rewarding year.
REAP will continue to advance regional priorities such
as workforce development, transportation and water.
These key issues will play a large part in 2015 and
beyond. The upcoming year is full of promise as this
collaborative continues to strengthen, grow, and pursue
new opportunities to enhance the regional economy of
South Central Kansas.
REAP
David M. Unruh
Sedgwick County Commissioner
REAP Chairman
reap-ks.org
REAPofSCK
ReapOfSouthCentralKansas
2014 REAP Annual Report • 2

3. ABOUT REAP
Since its inception in 1997 as the South Central Kansas
Regional Council of Governments, REAP has grown as
a regional organization and is an established voice on
issues of common concern among local governments
in South Central Kansas. In 2014 REAP’s twenty-
eight member cities and counties worked to fulfill the
organization’s mission:
Guide state and national actions that affect economic
development in the region and adopt joint actions
among member governments that enhance the regional
economy.
The REAP region includes the counties of Butler,
Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, McPherson, Reno,
Sumner, and Sedgwick, serving over 770,000 citizens-
more than 26 percent of the state population.
of State
Population
Cities
People
Thousand
2014 Work Plan Accomplishments Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
About REAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Message from Chairman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2014 Legislative Priorities Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Members in Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Prosperity Plan Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Workforce Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
28
26
770
%
& Counties
3 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

4. 2014 Work Plan Accomplishments Summary
Each year the REAP Board of Directors adopts a work plan for activities. These projects are carried
out by the Committees, Task Forces, and staff of REAP. Without the efforts of our dedicated mem-
bers and partners this work plan could not have been accomplished!
2014 Work Plan Accomplishments & Activities
Created a long-term operating model and organizational structure:
• Adopted a new assessment structure on July 11, 2014
• Revised and adopted Bylaws on November 7, 2014
• Revised and adopted Fiscal Procedures on November 7, 2014
• Created Associate Memberships to include business, industry, nonprofits, chamber of
commerce, economic development entities and others
Developed and supported a successful Legislative Agenda and Priorities for 2014:
• Developed a new inforgraphic format for the legislative priorities
• Presented priorities to the South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation at their hearing on
January 9, 2014 at NCAT
• Sponsored South Central Kansas Legislative Delegation luncheon on February 19, 2014 at the
Capital and presented on regional initiatives and projects
• Conducted weekly legislative update calls during the 2014 Legislative Session
• Conducted the annual Legislative Policy Summit on December 5, 2014 at Botanica, Wichita,
with over 100 REAP Members, partners, and legislators in attendance
Communications and Outreach:
• Redesigned and launched a new REAP website on March 1, 2014
• Redesigned and updated REAP social media pages (Facebook and Twitter)
Focused on Water as a priority strategy:
• Coordinated two meetings with the Kansas Water Office on the 50 Year vision for the Future of
Water in Kansas with Board of Directors and Water Resources Committee(March and October)
• Attended community meetings hosted by the Kansas Water Office seeking input and feedback
for the 50 Year Vision for the Future of Water in Kansas (May, June, July)
• Hosted the Regional Water Conference on May 29, 2014, attended by over 100 REAP
Members, partners, and stakeholders
• Attended the Governor’s Water Conference in November in Manhattan, hosted by the Kansas
Water Office
Carried out the Chief Elected Officials Business (CEOB) duties for Local Area IV as directed by
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), overseeing $4.67 million dollars of WIA funds in 2014.
A full report of the 2014 Work Plan Items and Outcomes is available on the REAP website.
Participated in and oversaw the South Central Kansas Prosperity Planning process, with the
draft plan released for Comment in December 2014.
2014 REAP Annual Report • 4

5. 2014 Legislative Priorities Summary
REAP advocates for state investments and encourages strategic public policies to create jobs and
grow the economy in South Central Kansas. The members of REAP focus on issues of common
concern that drive the regional economy including transportation, water, energy and workforce
development.
Highlights from the 2014 REAP Legislative Agenda
Supported the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) request for funding:
- NIAR received a $5 million allocation from the State Legislature.
Supported Career and Technical Education skills training designed to meet the needs of business
and industry:
- Senate Bill 155 was funded at $9.3 million for FY 14 with an additional legislative appropriation
for $10.25 million for FY 14
- $2.1 million in funding was restored for the tiered technical formula to community and technical
colleges that was cut in the 2013 session
Encouraged the state and local strategic funding partnership in support of the Equus Beds Aquifer
Storage and Recovery (ASR) project to preserve the aquifer for agricultural, industrial, and
municipal use that is critical to regional economic growth.
- ASR project (City of Wichita) received $499,166 in state funding for FY 2014 and $499,225 for
FY 15
Continued state support for Kansas Affordable Airfares Program (KAAP) to assure more flight
options, more competition for air travel and affordable air fares for Kansas.
- KAAP was funded at $5 million for FY 14 and FY 15
Encouraged participation by Kansas in the multi-state partnership studying the expansion of
passenger rail service and maintain its current passenger rail service Amtrak’s Southwest Chief that
passes through Kansas.
- Wichita applied for a TIGER grant to fund an extension of the Amtrak Heartland Flyer from
Oklahoma City to Wichita; however, it was not funded by the federal transportation grant. The
grant application established a partnership with Wichita, Hutchinson, Garden City, KDOT, the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and Amtrak
- A transportation grant was awarded to the existing Amtrak line, the Southwest Chief, running
through Newton
A full report of the 2014 Legislative and Policy Priorities and outcomes is available on the REAP website.
5 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

6. Members In Action
2014 REAP Annual Report • 6

7. 7 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

8. Update From the Prosperity Plan
In 2012 the U.S.
Department of
Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
awarded the Regional
Economic Area
Partnership a grant of
$1.5 million to create
the South Central
Kansas Prosperity
Plan (Prosperity Plan). Local partners supplemented the grant with in-kind services valued at
$813,000. The purpose of the Plan is to develop short- and long-term strategies to increase
the South Central Kansas region’s economic competitiveness, enhance the quality of life for all
residents, and establish a framework for regional coordination and planning.
The Plan expresses the collaborative efforts of numerous individuals and organizations
throughout the region. After identifying challenges in reaching the goals of prosperity and a high
quality of life for all residents, the plan provides a series of recommendations for addressing key
issues. Many of these issues are not specific to one political jurisdiction: adequate water, efficient
transportation, and a prepared, skilled workforce are just three examples of needs that transcend
city and county boundaries. A regional approach to these issues promotes the most efficient
use of available resources and allows organizations to work together toward a common goal.
At the same time, each city, county, for-profit entity, and non-profit organization takes actions
every day that affect local and regional prosperity and quality of life. The plan provides a menu of
recommendations that stakeholders can use to enhance opportunities for residents.
The most prevalent theme throughout the planning process
is a desire for coordinated, strategic decision-making across
jurisdictions and organizations, including public, private,
and non-profit stakeholders. REAP’s Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) has been charged with reviewing the
prioritized strategies that emerged from each of the six
planning areas and recommending to the REAP Board of
Director actions on those items- whether that be action by REAP itself, or partnering with the
appropriate entity to undertake specific tasks. The tools and resources that emerged from the
plan will be available to members of REAP for their use in their public engagement activities and
daily operations.
2014 REAP Annual Report • 8

9. Workforce Activities (Chief Elected Officials Business)
Since 2004, REAP has served as the
grant recipient for Kansas Local Area IV
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds
from the U. S. Department of Labor. The
Workforce Alliance of South Central
Kansas is the Operator and Administrator
for these funds, which are overseen by
the Chief Elected Officials Board (CEOB),
housed within REAP.
Wichita City Council Member Jeff Longwell
is the Kansas Local Area IV Chief Elected
Official, overseeing more than $4.67 million
annually in WIA funds invested in South
Central Kansas.
The Workforce Alliance operates four Workforce Centers in Local Area IV, which covers the
counties of Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sumner and Sedgwick. In 2014 the Wichita
Workforce Center experienced an emergency relocation due to deteriorating facility conditions to
a brand new facility. The new Wichita Workforce Center held a grand opening on June 25, 2014.
The Butler Workforce Center, located in El Dorado, is also relocating to a new facility, scheduled
to open in January 2015.
An annual report from the Workforce Alliance will be provided, detailing workforce activities from
2014.
9 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

10. 2014 REAP Board of Directors
Member/Alternate
Andover
Mayor Ben Lawrence
Council Member Clark C.R. Nelson
Augusta
Mayor Matt Childers
Josh Shaw, City Manager
Bel Aire
Mayor David Austin
Ty Lasher, City Manager
Bentley
Mayor Rex Satterthwaite
Daylene Beckner, City Clerk
Cheney
Council Member Carl Koster (2015 Incoming Chair)
Randy Oliver, City Administrator
Clearwater
Mayor Mike York
Kent Brown, City Administrator
Conway Springs
Mayor Daniel Pettigrew
Kathy Barkley, City Clerk
Derby
Mayor Dion Avello
Kathy Sexton, City Manager
El Dorado
Mayor Michael Fagg
Herb Llewellyn, City Manager
Garden Plain
Mayor Larry Lampe
Ronda Mollenkamp, City Clerk
Goddard
Mayor Marcey Gregory (Water Resources Chair)
Brian Silcott, City Administrator
Harvey County
Commissioner Chip Westfall (Legislative Chair)
Commissioner Randy Hague
Hesston
Mayor David Kauffman
Gary Emry, City Administrator
Hutchinson
Mayor Cindy Proett
John Deardoff, City Manager
Kechi
Mayor Ed Parker
Bob Conger, City Administrator
Kingman County
Commissioner Carol Voran (Transportation Chair)
Daniel Shea, ED Executive Director
Maize
Mayor Clair Donnelly
Richard LaMunyon, City Administrator
McPherson County
Commissioner Ron Loomis
Rick Witte, County Administrator
Mount Hope
Mayor Terry Somers (Treasurer)
George Dick, City Clerk
Mulvane
Mayor Jim Ford
Kent Hixson, City Administrator
Newton
Mayor Leroy Koehn
Commissioner Jim Nickel
Park City
Mayor Ray Mann
Dana Walden, Assistant City Admin/HR Manager
Reno County
Commissioner Brad Dillon (Vice Chair)
Gary Meagher, County Administrator
Rose Hill
Mayor Jason Jones
Austin Gilley, City Administrator
Sedgwick County
Commissioner Dave Unruh (Chair)
Commissioner Richard Ranzau
Valley Center
Mayor Mike McNown
Joel Pile, City Administrator
Wellington
Mayor Roger Stallbaumer
Roy Eckert, City Manager
Wichita
Council Member Jeff Longwell
(Local Area IV Chief Elected Official; Workforce
Development Chair)
Bob Layton, City Manager
2014 REAP Annual Report • 10

11. REAP Officers & Leadership
Commissioner
Dave Unruh
Sedgwick County,
Chair
Mayor*
Kristey Williams
City of Augusta,
Immediate Past Chair
Commissoner
Brad Dillon
Reno County,
Vice Chair
Mayor
Terry Somers
City of Mount Hope,
Treasurer
Commissioner
Chip Westfall
Harvey County,
Legislative Chair
Mayor
Marcey Gregory
City of Goddard,
Water Resources Chair
Commissioner
Carol Voran
Kingman County,
Transportation Chair
Council Member
Carl Koster
City of Cheney,
Incoming Chair
Keith Lawing
Executive Director
Kelly Bergeron
Assistant Director
Council Member
Jeff Longwell
City of Wichita,
Local Area IV Chief
Elected Official,
Workforce Dev. Chair
County Manager
William Buchanan
Sedgwick County
TAC Chair
* Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in November 2014
11 • 2014 REAP Annual Report

12. Strengthening the Economy of South Central Kansas
300 W. Douglas, Suite 850
Wichita, KS 67202