Focus

Focus Phase provides direction

The thousands of survey respondents who shared their hopes and dreams for the future of the Wichita region produced over 2 million data points for review and analysis. After receiving the data analysis from Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center (WSU PPMC), the Vision Team volunteers began to draft vision and guiding principles based on the community’s input during the Listen phase.

Vision

Vision Statement

Here in the heart of the heartland, we work together to create a vibrant region where people choose to live because we bravely seize opportunities and champion change, provide pathways to success, welcome our differences, and invest in our future.

After setting the vision statement, the Vision Team created a list of guiding principles to help provide direction. These guiding principles are based on the community input and will be used for action planning and idea generation toward achieving the vision.

Guiding Principles

  • Invest in ourselves - believe in our region and invest in assets that attract, retain and build talent and opportunities

  • Connected community - people connected to each other and connected to opportunities in education, businesses and the region

  • Future generation mindset - forward-thinking problem solving to attract next generation and build a strong future

  • Boldly seize opportunities - taking risks, acting now, leading boldly

Focus Areas

Based on community input, the Project Wichita volunteer Vision Team has developed five Focus Areas the 10-year action plans will address the following in our region:

  • TALENT

  • LIFELONG LEARNING

  • ECONOMIC PROSPERITY

  • STRONG COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS

  • QUALITY OF PLACE

Five Team Leaders – have stepped forward to help lead each Focus Area team and work with the other volunteers and Wichita State Public Policy and Management Center to develop the Focus Area plans by the end of the year.

  • TALENT Team – Dominique Harris, Senior Business Development Analyst, Cargill

  • LIFELONG LEARNING Team – Stephanie Harder, Director of Employee and Community Engagement, Textron Aviation

  • ECONOMIC PROSPERITY – Kyle Blasdel, Director of Business and Project Development, Conco Construction

  • STRONG COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS Team – City Councilmember Brandon Johnson, City of Wichita

  • QUALITY OF PLACE Team – Matt Michaelis, Chairman & CEO, Emprise Bank

Action Plans

action plans identified

The Vision Team worked in smaller teams to draft the action plans for the 10-year vision based on community input, existing community plans and guidance from experts in the field. Vision Team members stepped forward to help lead each Focus Area team and work with the other volunteers and Wichita State Public Policy and Management Center to develop the Focus Area plans.