The following is a letter written by Annarose White, executive director of the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce:

To the editor: Sumner County is at a pivotal point. This is our time to make a difference in our communities and schools – long term plans and decisions to invest in our infrastructure for business and that means a yes vote for Question #2 – voting for the half cent sales tax to build the Sumner County Campus of Cowley College. This brings greater investment in our community and significant growth to our bottom line.

As the executive director of the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce, I can vouch the organization is focused on moving Wellington Forward as well as Sumner County. We are proud to be an area chamber and to be involved the Sumner County Campus of Cowley College in Wellington. The chamber is committed to growing the population and increasing the quality of life, and providing opportunities for business in our community.

So let’s not waste time.

“We need to continue to build a community where our kids and students are proud to stay when they have a choice of moving away,” said Cody White, Superintendent of the Wellington Recreation Commission and Chamber Board President 2015.

The Sumner County Campus brings tremendous opportunity for our young adults to carve out a career that fits their needs, talents and timeline with an opening date of Fall 2018 for students. 

We promote and give extra attention to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interests of the area as the Chamber. This is why we organize town festivals, special events and cultural opportunities; and this is why we helped to organize and bring the opportunity to have a college campus in Wellington to your ballot this year. We have the pulse of what business and industries’ needs are.

“To date, we have eight projects in the pipeline that will not move forward with land acquisition if the sales tax increase to build the college does not pass,” said Sumner County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC) Board Chair Casie Risley of Caldwell. “It’s important that voters understand the election on Tuesday sends a message to business investors about Sumner County’s appetite for growth and new business.” 

The college is key to our ability to recruit and retain new economic investments. As is typical in economic development deals, developers have not permitted release of their information until after projects are finalized. 

“I wish we could share more of the specifics because it’s exciting, but what I can reveal is that we have a new industry planning to locate that would bring 100 jobs as well as a popular retail store planning to open a modified version of their metropolitan-based shopping chain. Between the eight projects, we’re looking at an additional $26 million investment and 200-300 jobs,” said Stacy Davis, director of SCEDC.

Businesses want and need educational opportunities, vocational training and closer training opportunities for employees. Sumner County Campus of Cowley College offers solutions to these needs and more. 

“As existing businesses we all have the chance to expand on new opportunities presented by Sumner County Economic Development and Cowley College,” said Brandon Earl, Manager of Mill Creek Lumber and Chamber Board President 2017.

The Chamber is prepared to help make sure all businesses maximize the benefits new growth and development with a greater focus on attracting traffic into Wellington and Sumner County. We are prepared and excited to work with the new companies relocating because our county voted to be Open For Business.

It’s time to construct an economy that will last generations and leave a legacy that keeps on growing.

Let’s make sure Sumner County can call the at least eight companies on Wednesday morning and say, ‘It’s a go! Let’s break ground, get some construction going!’ 

Join the Chamber Board of Directors for a yes vote. Move Sumner County Forward. 

Annarose White

Wellington.

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