Thinking outside the box
I read in the Salina Journal, and have heard various news reports, of the possibility of the 1st Infantry Division's headquarters, more commonly known as the Big Red One, returning to Ft. Riley.
House Speaker Doug May, R-Topeka, is quoted in the Salina Journal saying the economic effect of the return of the headquarters could be more than $1 billion statewide.
If this occurs, it will mean more jobs, more people, and an obvious boost in the economy for Junction City, Manhattan, and Herington.
Why doesn't Marion County make an effort to invite, entice, and/or bribe some of these military families to live in our communities?
Since I've lived in Marion County, going on 13 years, I am not aware of any effort to connect Marion County to Ft. Riley for economic development advancement.
Why not go "outside of the box" and consider this an opportunity?
The drive isn't any further than what McConnell personnel travel on a daily basis across Wichita.
So, what do you think? Is it worth checking in to? Which city in Marion County is going to be the first to try this?
— SUSAN BERG
