By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development CEO Jan Peters says the past 14 years have been an amazing opportunity for her. Growing up in Great Bend, one of the main reasons why Peters wanted to move back was to give back to a community that had given her so much growing up.
Peters will serve her final day with the Chamber Friday, Dec. 20 after taking the job in 2006. Peters says Great Bend always stood out to her because of its sense of community.
"I remember I had a friend visiting me from Washington D.C.," said Peters. "I'm driving her back to the airport and she starts crying. She told me when you come to small towns there is such a sense of community pride. You do not get that in Washington D.C. In Great Bend, you get that in every facet of your daily life."
Peters took over the Chamber in 2006 following a tragic and fatal Jet Ski accident involving former Chamber President Gary Gore.
Peters remembers economic development was still a relatively new concept when she arrived, and has to look no further than business additions along 10th Street to see how far the city has come because many of those stores were not there 14 years ago.
Peters recalls the development of Red Barn Pet Products, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, The Reserves at Trail Ridge Apartments, and the Transload Facility as just a few of the major successes during her time at the Chamber.
Great Bend city officials found out in June 2009 that Great Bend Packing was closing in a month’s notice. Peters was immediately concerned about keeping the employees in the community.
"I remember going out to the plant manager and saying I want to put out a big banner saying thank you to all these people," said Peters. "That was my biggest concern. I did not want to lose these people."
Job fairs were organized as well for the Great Bend Packing employees. The following August, a group from
California toured the facility. Peters says one of her favorite New Year’s Eves
came in 2009 when she received a call from Red Barn Pet Products telling her
they signed the deal and were coming to Great Bend.
"I love businesses," said Peters. "They put everything on the line, their energy, money, and time. You get to know these people pretty well. They had to trust me with a lot of information and I never wanted to break that trust."
Peters met with Chamber Board Chair A.J. Chrest and Chamber member Mark Calcara this week to discuss a transition plan for the new economic development.
In September, the City Council voted to create a
standalone non-profit organization whose purpose would be to conduct economic
development activities. In doing so, the City of Great Bend will terminate the
agreement for such services from the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at the end
of the month. Megan Barfield was named the next president of the Chamber of
Commerce.
"The key to economic development right now is identifying what is the next industry," said Peters. "Once you figure that out, you do a full-court press on it. You attend conferences and dive into that industry."
Peters accepted a position as Regional Director for Client Services for Kansas Manufacturing Solutions that starts in early January.
"I care about people and always have," said Peters. "I feel like I can always learn something with every interaction. I love to listen and hear what is happening in someone's world."
A farewell reception for Peters will be held Thursday, Dec. 19 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 1125 Williams Street.
Listen to the interview with Peters from the Chamber Connect show that aired on 1590 KVGB on Dec. 5, 2019.