It’s a bit puzzling that Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Kelly Parks doesn’t know how the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition spends its money. After all, the commission just agreed in December to contribute $300,000 to GWEDC in 2009. But as he and Commissioner Karl Peterjohn re-examine GWEDC, they will no doubt realize how important the organization is to our region. The partnership between the county, the city of Wichita and the private sector has been crucial in attracting and retaining jobs and eliminating turf battles that used to inhibit economic development. And as GWEDC president Vicki Pratt Gerbino asked in a commentary on Sunday’s Eagle Opinion pages, “Shouldn’t our highest priority be to invest in something that ultimately preserves, nurtures and recruits new jobs to our community?”
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