The Greater Hutch Economic Development Partnership, housed within the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, has announced the launch of a new strategic planning process aimed at shaping Reno County’s economic future for the next five years.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Aha! Strategy + Facilitation and led by strategist Amy Holloway, will unfold in multiple phases through October 2025. A community advisory group of local leaders selected Aha! and will remain involved throughout the planning process.
Following an in-depth benchmarking analysis of comparable communities, Greater Hutch is now seeking broad community participation. A public survey went live Wednesday, June 4, and residents are encouraged to provide feedback and share the survey widely.
In addition to the survey, a series of 12 focus groups will be held from Tuesday, June 17, through Thursday, June 19, in Hutchinson and South Hutchinson. Two public presentations are scheduled at local government meetings: Hutchinson City Council on June 17 at 5:30 p.m., and the Reno County Commission on June 18 at 9:45 a.m. A public forum will also be held at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, June 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Beginning June 13, the advisory group will meet biweekly to review findings and help form the strategic vision. Presentations about the plan will also be shared at civic group meetings and city councils across the county.
The planning effort is funded by the Hutchinson Community Foundation, City of Hutchinson, City of South Hutchinson, Reno County, Greater Hutch Economic Development, and StartUp Hutch.
Organizers say the process will result in a shared vision and actionable goals to elevate economic growth and opportunity in Reno County.
“We are energized to engage our community to work together through this process,” the Greater Hutch team said in a statement, “and implement the resulting resource to elevate Reno County.”