Shirk Annex, First Floor Pittsburg State University 1501 South Joplin Street UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Pittsburg, KS 66762-7560 620-235-4920

Shawn Naccarato Pittsburg State University September 20 – Pittsburg session

The Honorable Senator Carolyn McGinn, Co-Chair The Honorable Representative Richard Proehl, Co-Chair Room 68-West 300 SW 10th Street Topeka, KS 66612

Dear Senator McGinn, Representative Proehl and esteemed members of the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force:

Pittsburg State University strongly supports the continued expansion of U.S. Highway 69 due to its importance to the long-term success of the university, the Pittsburg community, and the entire eastern region.

Expansion of U.S. 69 is vital to enrollment growth and the safety of those who travel between Pittsburg and the Kansas City area. An expanded, safer U.S. 69 would also lead to enhanced economic activity and growth in Pittsburg and throughout .

Enrollment, Safety

Pittsburg State University has long embraced the moniker of a “regional university,” as we know that our students come from a wide variety of towns, cities, and counties from across Kansas, , , , and beyond. Over the past 10 years, we have experienced a substantial increase in students from one particular area: the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Last fall, more than 1,600 students from the Kansas City metropolitan area enrolled at Pittsburg State. Students from that area, which includes Johnson County, comprise more than 23 percent of the student body — or more if only undergraduates are counted. In fact, Johnson County now rivals Crawford County in terms of incoming freshmen.

Between 2008 and 2011 alone, the number of students from Johnson County jumped from 570 to 856. In that same timeframe, the number of students from Jackson County, Missouri increased from 108 to 188.

We firmly believe that the increase in students from the Kansas City area can be credited to the expansion of U.S. Highway 69. Shirk Annex, First Floor Pittsburg State University 1501 South Joplin Street UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Pittsburg, KS 66762-7560 620-235-4920

Pittsburg State enrollment from Johnson and Jackson counties 1996-2015 1000 800 600 400 200 0

Johnson County Jackson County

With U.S. 69 being four lanes from Kansas City to Fort Scott, students from the Kansas City area have, now more than ever, a more accessible and safer route to Pittsburg, Kansas and Pittsburg State University.

The safety component is of vital importance. Students and alumni both cite increased safety as the primary benefit of expansion of U.S. 69 to four lanes.

Ted Steyer, communication major from Lenexa, said: “When driving from Pitt to KC or back, I never enjoy driving the Fort Scott to Arma two-lane stretch. Compared to other two-lane highways, this one is busier than most I've driven. I do not like passing other cars because there is only a short window to do so before more cars are coming or a No Passing zone appears. It becomes an unsafe stretch of highway. When I heard about the expansion proposal, I was excited because having a safe drive from Pitt to KC will be amazing.”

Rae Zeller, PSU alumnus from Olathe, said: “As an alumnus of PSU, I love coming back to Pittsburg to catch a football game or just check out the progress downtown. The drive between KC and Fort Scott is great, but the drive between Fort Scott and Arma can be stressful, especially at night. I would feel much safer on my drive between KC and Pitt if it was four lanes the whole way.”

Shirk Annex, First Floor Pittsburg State University 1501 South Joplin Street UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Pittsburg, KS 66762-7560 620-235-4920

Economic Impact

Beyond the direct benefit to Pittsburg State University and its students and alumni, continued expansion of U.S. 69 would have a significant effect on the economic prosperity of Pittsburg and all of eastern Kansas.

The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce reports that each Pittsburg State University student has a $11,000 economic impact on the Pittsburg area. So, as we always say, a stronger Pittsburg State University is a stronger Pittsburg, and vice versa.

Expanding U.S. 69 to four lanes from Fort Scott to Pittsburg could lead to a substantial increase in economic activity, not only from students, alumni, and visitors from the Kansas City area, but also from those in Fort Scott, who would have a wider, safer highway for travel to and from Pittsburg.

With the increased retail and dining scene in Pittsburg, the opening of Block22, and the various events taking place at the Robert W. Plaster Center and Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, Pittsburg is increasingly becoming a destination for visitors from across the four-state area.

We believe the southeast Kansas region is on the precipice of significant economic growth and prosperity, and continued expansion of U.S. 69 is crucial to that growth and success.

We greatly appreciate Senator McGinn, Representative Proehl, and the members of the Joint Legislative Transportation Vision Task Force and their efforts in this important cause. The prosperity of all Kansas communities is dependent on the quality of our infrastructure and highway system.

We believe that the state has made tremendous progress in its effort to improve and expand our highways, and it is our fervent hope that the work continues and that we all share in the rewards.

Sincerely,

Shawn Naccarato Pittsburg State University