2020
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
101 E WYATT EARP BLVD | DODGE CITY, KS 67801 | 620.227.3119 | INFO@DODGECHAMBER.COM
INFRASTRUCTURE Highways
Rail Travel
Kansas has historically been ranked with high marks for highway conditions but in recent years has fallen in nationwide rankings due to continued pressure on the Kansas Highway fund to divert monies to support other state initiatives. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports transportation safety through full funding/construction of highway projects planned and approved for the surrounding region. Residential, truck and tourist traffic only continue to grow and solid road infrastructure is key to safety.
The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce continues to support the Amtrak Railroad service across Kansas and through Dodge City. Rail travel affords Dodge City and Southwest Kansas residents an alternative to air and highway travel which is important to members of society that either cannot afford or are unable to use other forms of travel.
Airline Travel The Dodge City Area Chamber continues to encourage access to multiple major airports through passenger air service from the Dodge City Airport. Reliable air service connecting passengers to major hub airports allows our business community and residents the ability to conduct commerce and experience cultural enrichment in other areas of the United States and the world.
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Broadband Quality, affordable broadband service for all citizens is vital for the growth of Southwest Kansas businesses as well as for our citizens. Broadband connects our businesses to the world, provides our citizens with the ability to interact with family and friends and allows our students to learn and prosper. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports all efforts to continue to upgrade and deploy high-speed affordable broadband.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & HIGHER EDUCATION Ford County has an unemployment rate of 2.3%, which correlates directly to the lack of workforce locally and regionally. As a location with extreme employment gaps in the areas of healthcare, social services, manufacturing, education, local government, agriculture, energy, and criminal justice, to name a few, local higher education options are imperative. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce believes in the establishment of educational opportunities for residents in our region. Southwest Kansas is the only quadrant of the state without a four-year public university. In an effort to bridge this gap, the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the path to establishing a University Center in Dodge City with satellite campuses throughout the southwest region of the state. In order for the University Project to be successful, the Chamber of Commerce asks for support from local and state elected officials and the Kansas Board of Regents. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce also supports Perkins V funding for career and technical education pathways. These funds will help create access and advancement for trade programs and align well with our local community college and the University Project to fill the regions workforce gaps.
IMMIGRATION Throughout our history, the United States of America has had the opportunity to grow and thrive because we have attracted and welcomed the most talented and hardest working people to our country. The Dodge City and Southwest Kansas economy is dependent upon a diverse and reliable labor pool in the region. Today, our immigration system is broken and failing to meet the needs of the Southwest Kansas economy and businesses. Documented immigrants undoubtedly comprise a vital portion of the Dodge City and Southwest Kansas workforce. Current policies and processes that are in place to legally immigrate, obtain and remain in legal status are complex and cumbersome. Additionally, laws that would remove these persons from the labor pool would negatively impact the stability and growth of commerce in Southwest Kansas. The Dodge City economy is growing and in constant need of an expanding and skilled workforce that includes and relies heavily on immigrant and refugee workers.
LOCAL JURISDICTION
LEGISLATIVE
POLICIES & POSITIONS I N F R AST RUCT U R E
I M M IGR AT ION
Highways
Provide the resources or incentives necessary to establish a permanent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regional field office in Dodge City.
The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce encourages all taxing entities to improve and maintain their local roads and streets in order to improve safety for our region's travelers.
Airline Travel Since federal grants for airport improvement are shared grants, the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce encourages Ford County and the City of Dodge City to appropriate the matching funds required to secure federal funding for airport improvements whether they are surface (runway/taxiways) or terminal upgrades. Furthermore, the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce encourages the city and county governments to continually support the EAS program with federally elected officials.
Rail Travel The City of Dodge City provides staff for the Amtrak depot in Dodge City, which indicates commitment from the community for continued rail support. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the continuation of this service by the city.
Broadband While some areas of Dodge City have access to high speed internet through a number of providers, the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports any party who wishes to apply for support in providing broadband in more rural areas surrounding Dodge City.
H IGH ER EDUCAT ION & WOR K FORCE DEV ELOPM E N T The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the City of Dodge City and Ford County in continual support of the University Center. The utilization of Hennessey Hall and resources from both the City of Dodge City and Ford County are essential to the University Center. On a local level, pathways to higher education are essential to building and maintaining our workforce.
101 E WYATT EARP BLVD | DODGE CITY, KS 67801 | 620.227.3119 | DODGECHAMBER.COM
S TAT E J U R I S D I C T I O N
LEGISLATIVE
POLICIES & POSITIONS I N F R AST RUCT U R E Highways The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce's priority is to support completion of the approved four lane expansion between Dodge City and Cimarron ($56,443,800) as well as appropriating funding for the planning and approval of a four lane highway from Dodge City to Spearville and Mullinville ($2,722,000) and from Cimarron to Garden City ($2,722,000).
Airline Travel The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has a state Airport Improvement Plan (KAIP) and the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the Kansas Legislature to continue full funding of that program. It provides monies to be used for infrastructure improvements for taxiways and lighting. These programs also assist in building infrastructure that allow air ambulance operations to patients in the area.
Rail Travel The Kansas Legislature has had passenger rail hearings that support the continuation of the Southwest Chief and the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce continues to back our local elected officials regarding any legislation in line with these efforts.
Broadband The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the current legislative effort through the Broadband Task Force to determine where broadband is lacking in Southwest Kansas. Kansas businesses, as well as State and local government are eligible to apply for many annual grants through the BroadBand Task Force and the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce would encourage our local businesses and state and local officials to apply whenever possible.
H IGH ER EDUCAT ION & WOR K FORCE DEV ELOPM E N T The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce seeks backing from state elected officials to bring the University Center to fruition. This project needs continued support from the Kansas State Board of Regents to be successful. Perkins V funding is also vital to support career and technical education industries.
101 E WYATT EARP BLVD | DODGE CITY, KS 67801 | 620.227.3119 | DODGECHAMBER.COM
FEDERAL JURISDICTION
LEGISLATIVE
POLICIES & POSITIONS I N F R AST RUCT U R E
I M M IGR AT ION
Highways
Rail Travel
The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce approves the development of immigration policies that provide immigrants a streamlined and defined path to obtain and maintain a documented legal status in the United States. We support a solution to immigration reform that does not increase penalties or threaten business licenses of employers who unintentionally hire unauthorized workers. As part of this goal, we feel it is necessary to establish a permanent U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field office in Dodge City. The office should have comprehensive services provided.
The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the efforts of Congress and the Department of Transportation in continuing to push Amtrak to upgrade the Southwest Chief service from Chicago through Dodge City, Kansas to Los Angeles. Congress appropriated $50 million for the upkeep of the route and some level of support should continue. Support is also needed from the BNSF Railroad, whose tracks Amtrak uses.
H IGH ER EDUCAT ION & WOR K FORCE DEV ELOPM E N T
A large portion of highway funding comes from federal sources and goes through the state transportation department. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for fair and equitable funding for our local Southwest Kansas Area highways.
Airline Travel The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports and continues to advocate for continuation of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which is critical to continued passenger air service in Dodge City. The Chamber also supports federal funding of the Federal Aviation Administration and their Airport Improvement Program (AIP) which provides funding for airport infrastructure (runways and terminals) improvements.
Broadband Quality, affordable broadband service for all citizens is vital for the growth of Southwest Kansas businesses as well as for our citizens. Broadband connects our businesses to the world, allows our citizens to connect with family and friends and allows our students to learn and prosper. The continued aid of the United States Department of Agriculture through the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants, Reconnect Program and Community Connect Grant Program should be continued in Dodge City. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports all efforts to continue to upgrade and deploy high-speed affordable broadband
The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce supports the University Project in Dodge City to bridge employment gaps in several industries locally and regionally. Additionally, we support funding for all Kansas Board of Regents institutions. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for continual funding in Dodge City and surrounding counties from Perkins V.
101 E WYATT EARP BLVD | DODGE CITY, KS 67801 | 620.227.3119 | DODGECHAMBER.COM
2020 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA On behalf of our business members and community, I advocate for the policies within the 2020 Legislative Agenda. The business advocacy committee is a newly established group of business leaders from Dodge City who meet monthly to determine the advocacy direction for the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce. We are dedicated to promoting policies that enhance the business climate and quality of life in our region. Our committee has worked alongside our local taxing entities, the development corporation, and the convention and visitors bureau leaders to frame the key issues in this agenda. We have also heard the voice of our business community and seek to display their needs in the policies we advocate for on the local, state, and federal level. The Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with our region to stabilize our economy and make the business climate prosperous. Sincerely, Anna Bjerken President & CEO
CHAMBER REPRESENTATIVES Anna Bjerken, President/CEO abjerken@dodgechamber.com
Raul De La Torre, Board Chairman
Michael Burns,
Business Advocacy Committee Member
Mission: "The mission of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Advocacy Committee is to provide direction and leadership when advocating at the local, state, and federal levels on behalf of the Dodge City business community."
101 E WYATT EARP BLVD | DODGE CITY, KS 67801 | 620.227.3119 | INFO@DODGECHAMBER.COM