July 9, 2015

BREG organizers to hold town hall meeting in Derby Friday, July 10

This initiative is about harnessing existing assets in new ways. This economic initiative does not end with agreements, but rolls into continued action by each cluster and across the region to enable continuous improvement of the South Central Kansas economy.

Existing and emerging industry clusters (producers, suppliers and input providers) have been identified to achieve a more diverse regional economy. Understanding each cluster's specific needs and opportunities is key. Leaders from each cluster will build on experience and analytic insights, delve even deeper to the company level and then bring them all together to shape growth strategies

The seven economic clusters that will be presenting action plans are:

- Advanced Materials: Companies formulating, supplying and using composites, metal alloys and plastics.

- Aerospace: Companies that manufacture and overhaul complete aircraft, parts manufacturers, services suppliers and flight training services.

- Data Services and IT: Produces and manages data collection, analysis, application and storage solutions for diverse end users.

- Healthcare: Organizations that manufacture medical devices, provide specialized information systems and support medical practices with protocol development.

- Advanced Manufacturing: Applies advanced production technologies and systems to produce machinery used globally.

- Oil & Gas Production and Transportation: Exploration and production of crude petroleum and natural gas along with their associated collection and transportation systems regional refineries, transport trucks, railcars and pipelines.

- Transportation and Logistics: Long-distance trucking, short- and long-distance railroads, air cargo operators, warehousing and logistics services firms.

The agenda for the town hall meeting is:

Welcome
- What is BREG and What You Will Hear Today: BREG Co-Chairs, Charlie Chandler and Brad Dillon

Who is BREG?
- Our Regional Economy: Charlie Chandler and Brad Dillon

Cluster Strategies
- Advanced Manufacturing: Ron Weddle and Ken Seaman
- Aerospace: Lynn Nichols
- Oil & Gas: Dave Murfin
- Data Services & IT: Tony Russell and Wayne Chambers
- Advanced Materials: Paul Jonas and Ron Weddle
- Transport & Logistics: Jeff Lackey
- Health Care: Jon Rosell

Cross-cutting Initiatives
- Innovation: John Tomblin
- Workforce: Keith Lawing
- Communications: Susan Armstrong and Aaron Bastian
- Logistics: Wayne Chamber and Tony Russell
- Exports: John Schott

Moving Ahead with Implementation
- The Greater Wichita Partnership: Jeff Fluhr and Gary Schmidt

Questions & Answers:

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Contact: Joe Kleinsasser, director of news and media relations at Wichita State University, 316-978-3013, 316-204-8266 or joe.kleinsasser@wichita.edu.