After meeting for the better part of 14 years, members of the Lawrence-Douglas County Economic Development Board are getting legal legs to stand on.

The 15-member group, formed in 1989, received recognition of its existence Monday morning from Douglas County commissioners, who approved an ordinance making the board official.

Commissioners figured it was time to make sure the informal group received the recognition — and authority — that it deserves.

“There aren’t many higher goals in this community than economic development,” Commissioner Charles Jones said.

The ordinance won’t take effect until approved by Lawrence city commissioners, a decision expected sometime later this month.

For more about the board’s significance, watch 6News tonight at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband’s channel 6. And to learn what county commissioners hope to see from the board in the coming year, read Tuesday’s Journal-World.