COUNTY

“We are representing the people of Lyon County. We want to hear from them,” Duft said. “It’s not all my ideas; it’s the county’s.”

It’s also important, he said, that people within the city limits of Emporia know they are represented by the county too. Working together, Duft said, is the best way to advance both the city and the county.

“That’s the whole thing. We need to all work together to make this county one of the better counties,” Duft said. “We want to build this community up, make it better.”

Martin and Peck shared the same sentiment, saying efforts from both county and city organizations can be mutually beneficial.

For example, Peck said, while housing and workforce pose a problem for industrial expansion, local organizations are actively working on remedies.

“RDA (Regional Development Association) is working very hard to accomplish some goals as far as housing and employees and employers, which is a good thing for all of us,” he said. “The more we can bring in is more revenue for the county … be good for the city, be good for the county.”

With more investments in housing, he added, business will follow.

“We can hopefully encourage outside businesses to come in, relocate here,” Peck said. “We have a fantastic county and city, good place to raise their kids, good schools. Good infrastructure as far as railroad, interstate, US 50, all of that going for us. Hopefully someone can see the bright spots that we represent to attract people in … I think we are in a good place. I really do. We have companies that want to come here, want to relocate or locate here.

Overall, the commission said, Lyon County saw another successful year in 2022 — with a bright future ahead in 2023.

“We had a good year in Lyon County, and I’m very hopeful, very positive that we will have a good outlook for this year,” Peck said. “We work hard and try to listen to the citizens. It’s their money that we are using and hopefully they see what we are doing and are in agreement. That’s the main thing, we need to make sure we are doing what the citizen’s want.”