An economic development "transformational projects action plan" for Greater Wichita

While preparing a set of entries celebrating next month's 20th anniversary of the blog, I came across this entry from 2020, which I didn't quite finish.

Note that while the entry mentions the failure of the Boeing 737MAX as an issue in their aerospace sector, it's gotten worse ("Boeing’s woes mean rising anxiety in Wichita, Kansas, the 'Air Capital of the World'," NPR, "Troubled Boeing is absorbing Spirit with the Wichita economy in the balance," Wichita Beacon, "New Boeing CEO wants to keep defense work in Wichita after touring facility, Moran says," Wichita Eagle).

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Transformational Projects Action Planning as an approach. Based on a slew of previous writings, over the past few years I've codified an approach that I call "transformational projects action planning" as an element of planning at three scales: (1) for master plans; (2) functional plans (elements, such as transportation); and (3) for specific projects, aiming for innovative approaches.

The basic idea in master and functional plans is to create a list of high profile projects that are transformational and further drive innovation in quantum and scalar ways across a community.

Some examples of the concept are written about here:

-- "Why can't the "Bilbao Effect" be reproduced? | Bilbao as an example of Transformational Projects Action Planning," 2017
-- "Downtown Edmonton cultural facilities development as an example of "Transformational Projects Action Planning"," 2018
-- "A "Transformational Projects Action Plan" for a statewide passenger railroad program in Maryland," 2019
-- "A "Transformational Projects Action Plan" for the Metrorail Blue Line," 2020
-- "Revisiting the Purple Line (series) and a more complete program of complementary improvements to the transit network," 2019
-- "Minneapolis Super Bowl: Urban Revitalization and Transformational Projects Action Planning," 2018

So the fact that multiple economic development agencies in Greater Wichita have come together to create a joint approach to economic development and have listed a master set/prioritized list of transformational projects is not derived from the TPAP approach. But it's a good example nonetheless.

It's been spurred by the pandemic-related economic downturn as well as fallout from the failure of the Boeing 737MAX airplane--Wichita is home to a large aerospace manufacturing sector.

There are plenty of business organizations that come together to work together on economic development matters across jurisdictions, that's part and parcel of the "Growth Machine."  But rarely do I see these efforts accompanied by a master list of projects.

From the Wichita Business Journal article "Wichita's economic development leaders outline plan to go after stimulus money":

Creating a blueprint Part of economic development's role in aiding in recovery is assessing where the Wichita area stands. Identify its assets, Greater Wichita Partnership president Jeff Fluhr said, understand the impact that the 737 MAX and Covid-19 have had on the workforce and economy, and see where the group can help.

"These things are all knit together now," Fluhr said.

Partners in the effort are quick to point out the the 13 identified projects are a starting point. Other projects exist, but these are the most attainable.

Lawing said the document gives the Workforce Alliance and others a starting point for competitively applying for federal grants.

"I can demonstrate we have a plan in place," he said. "This is a way we can be proactive."

Here are the projects:

Aerospace Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
• Infrastructure for the city's airports — Dwight D. Eisenhower National and Col. James Jabara — would give Wichita an opportunity to focus on a recession-proof sector of aviation, the maintenance, repair and overhaul industry.

Aerospace defense manufacturing
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification would improve training and support for Wichita-area companies. Estimated amount needed: $1-$2 million.

• A defense manufacturing technology center aligned with WSU's National Institute of Aviation Research. Estimated amount needed; $25-$50 million.

Accelerating the pivot to innovation
Four identified projects, outside aerospace, are associated with technology and innovation.

• A Business Digital Transformation and Convergence Sciences project would be similar to the startup of WSU's National Institute for Aviation Research, instead going beyond aerospace to convert all business sectors digitally. Estimated amount needed: $25-$50 million.

• Andy Schlapp, WSU's executive director of government relations and strategy, said it would include transforming Kansas economic staples agriculture and oil and gas.

• A Smart Manufacturing project combining digital, physical and experimental technologies to advance manufacturing capabilities. Estimated amount needed: $25 million.

• A Cybersecurity "Cyber" Range that would create a Wichita Cyber Range Center to stimulate jobs and companies providing "world-class" cybersecurity. Estimated amount needed: $20-$25 million.

• Dark Fiber Corridors to support the other technology projects and install dark fiber in critical business corridors. Estimated amount needed: $3-$5 million.

Moving people and goods

• The North Junction project, the three-phase effort to unclog bottlenecks and improve safety for the north Wichita convergence of I-135, I-235, K-96 and K-254.

• A transload shipping center has long been discussed, giving south-central Kansas a facility similar to the BNSF intermodal park near Edgerton in Johnson County. Estimated amount needed: $15-$20 million.

Closer to being shovel-ready
• Continued work on the Amtrak Heartland Flyer infrastructure, as Wichita tries to bring an Amtrak stop back to the city, connecting Oklahoma City and the Southwest Chief route in Newton, for the first time in more than 40 years. Estimated amount needed: $32 million.

• Infrastructure for the former oil refinery site west of I-135 at 21st Street, an 120-acre area that's nearly cleaned up by the EPA, according to Nave. The area would be used for industrial development. Estimated amount needed: $5-$10 million.

• An 800-acre "megasite" for catalytic projects adjacent to I-35 and near the El Dorado industrial park. Estimated amount needed: $30-$35 million.

Conclusion.   It's best to be forward focused, also in terms of setting and agenda, and aiming for its realization.