Community and business leaders from across the region gathered at the 2025 Manhattan Regional Growth Summit to hear recommendations contained in a new Economic Growth Plan. The plan is the result of a year-long effort to develop solutions for economic and population stagnation in the region. The summit, formerly known as the Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat, has been rebranded and signifies the Chamber’s commitment to economic and population growth for the region.
Matt Tarleton, a nationally recognized economic development strategist who worked on the plan, was on hand to present to Growth Summit attendees. Tarleton’s experience in economic development consulting includes serving as a partner with Market Street Services when that company completed Region Reimagined in 2018. He also helped write the State of Kansas Framework for Growth, which has led to unprecedented successes across Kansas, including Panasonic and other major projects.
The Economic Growth Plan project focused on determining why and how the region’s economic and population numbers have stagnated and what can be done to turn around the trends that are causing these challenges. Tarleton highlighted results of a regional economic assessment, presented plan recommendations, and facilitated a growth-themed roundtable discussion for attendees. Recommendations included adopting a “Yes, if ...” mindset to growth and specific actions items identified in the plan’s strategic framework. Those action items were grouped into four categories: Investments, Policies, Processes and Initiatives. The full plan, including the Economic Assessment and the Strategic Framework, can be viewed on the Manhattan Growth Plan website at https://www.growmhk.com
