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Throughout 2014 the emergence of many key partnerships and the alignment of focused efforts regarding the creation of jobs the retention of talent and increasing the quality of life for the region occurred. As 2015 commences these strategic partnerships and investment continue to guide Wichitas growth now and into the future. Private sector leadership stepped forward to redefine economic development efforts for Wichita and the region. The Greater Wichita Partnership organization was launched to align multiple economic development efforts. The framework will coordinate the efforts of the WDDC GWEDC and Leadership Council initiatives under one umbrella organization. The partnership is modeled after examples witnessed in peer cities and will better align efforts and resources for the community. The Leadership Council is comprised of over 100 of Wichitas top business non-profit and public sector CEOs with the purpose of finding solutions to major issues and implementing initiatives which benefit the long-term economic prosperity for Wichita. Leadership Council priorities have created two task forces related to job creation which are the Entrepreneurship Task Force ETF and Business and Education Alliance BEA task force. The former works to build on Wichitas rich entrepreneurial history by identifying connecting and advocating for entrepreneurial organizations businesses and individuals. The BEA task force works to align the education and business communities to produce a globally competitive workforce. A coalition from the private and public sectors has also come together to conduct a new study for the 10-county region called the Blueprint for Region Economic Growth BREG. BREG identifies eight industry clusters that have the potential to grow jobs and industry in the region. The initiative is being led by the business community who will be responsible for implementing the strategies to help companies operate more efficiently identify opportunities for expansion and primary job creation. In 2014 the Greater Wichita Metro Area of South Central Kansas was selected to participate in the Brookings Global Cities Initiative GCI program. The initiative produced a data-driven Regional Export Plan that will assist the region with increased exports that is estimated to create more than 6000 jobs. W I C H I TA S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y Innovation Campus In 2014 Wichita State University announced its new campus master plan to become the Innovation University. This plan focuses on aligning education and the business community through applied learning research innovation and entrepreneurship to create a resulting economic impact for the community. D O W N T O W N WSU Old Town Wichita State University recently announced it will significantly increase its presence in Downtown. Over the next two years 200 staff members along with 300 students comprised of seven departments and programs will relocate to Old Town. This strategic location makes these important programs more accessible to the community and gives the University a stronger presence in the core. WSU Old Town expects over 15000 annual visitors. W E S L E Y M E D I C A L C E N T E R New Childrens Hospital Wesley Medical Centers 2014 announcement of a new 28 million Childrens Hospital will have a major impact to the health care industry. The new hospital will add over 40 private rooms which will provide an unprecedented level of care for children in Wichita. U N I V E R S I T Y O F K A N S A S First Medical Class Graduates The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita celebrates a landmark year in 2015 with the graduation of the first group of medical students to complete all four years on the Wichita campus. KU Med is ranked in the top 10 in the nation for producing primary care physicians. 04