Lawrence residents should be aware of city efforts to claim more control over local economic development activity.

Lawrence Chamber of Commerce members, as well as Lawrence taxpayers, should be alert to what appears to be a plan by some city commissioners to try to corral the city’s economic development efforts.

Although the chamber of commerce has an excellent vice president for economic development, with a successful record prior to her arrival in Lawrence and an impressive start here, some city commissioners apparently want to take over the economic development effort, which currently is funded equally by the city, county and chamber of commerce.

At first there was talk about moving the chamber’s officer into City Hall where the city could exercise more influence or control over her activities. Perhaps they cooled on this possibility because it now appears city commissioners want their own economic development officer, even though this would mean duplicated effort, added costs and a greater chance that prospective industrial and business prospects will get mixed signals from Lawrence.

Why do city officials think they need to have their own economic development director?

As part of this discussion, city and county officials are considering a restructuring of the local Economic Development Board. The city and county appoint members to this board, which has some oversight of local economic development activities.

Now officials are considering altering the structure of this board so that most of its seats automatically would go to people who hold certain positions in the community. These would include some elected officials and other people in leadership roles. Those who favor this plan say it would lessen the possibility that the mayor or County Commission chair could stack the board with people who mirror their own economic development philosophies.

But again, why is it necessary, what’s the purpose of trying to either abolish the current economic development system or hire a city staff member to duplicate its efforts? Do city commissioners think the chamber official is doing a poor job or is there just some extra money in the city’s budget to add a new position?