On the surface, it might not appear so. Probe a little deeper, however, and many times those issues are not only similar but inter-twined in a way that can make or break the economy of an entire geographic region.

Members of the Unified Legislative Agenda Strategic Alliance for Visioneering Wichita, which includes a diverse group of business leaders, county and city officials, area legislators and other community leaders, wrestle those issues and discuss common goals for the region. At the bottom line is whether citizens and communities in south-central Kansas can collaborate on issues affecting the region and communicate to our legislators the importance of bringing home the assistance to tackle these regional issues.

A prominent feature of the Government Foundation, this Strategic Alliance works toward the vision that by 2024 the Wichita area will be a national model for effective, efficient, inclusive and accountable governments that are representative of the community's needs and desires.

For 2008, the Alliance celebrated tremendous success for our region and the state with these accomplishments based in job growth, education & per-capita income:

AVIATION

- Keep the Kansas aviation industry competitive through continued state investments in the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University and through support for a new system of business-driven technical training at the National Center for Aviation Training at Jabara (2009: ongoing support)

MEDICAL

- State support for 25% expansion in the capacity of nursing programs in existing post-secondary public education institutions in South Central Kansas. (2009: ongoing support)

- Support for the Wichita Center for Graduate Medical Education Program for funding of additional faculty and research staff for physician residency programs. (2009: ongoing support)

- Support for a Kansas Center for Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research in south-central Kansas through the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

GENERAL INFRASTRUCTURE

- State support to maintain and expand low cost commercial air services from Mid-Continent Airport. (2009: maintain funding)

- Support for funding for Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project and maintenance of ongoing funding by becoming a Kansas Water Authority line item. (2009: maintain funding)

- Support for Kansas Small Business Development Centers (KSBDC) and maintenance of ongoing funding. (2009: maintain funding)

Each year, the Alliance will identity a new unified agenda prior to the legislative session and issue a report card after each session. A series of guiding principles will continue to drive the process, balancing individualism with interdependent needs that can strengthen the economies throughout the region.