ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — Camile LaVon has been hired by Thrive Allen County as their new Economic Development Director. Lavon comes to Thrive from Colorado Springs where she worked for their chamber of commerce economic development organization. She brings a decade of experience in business attraction and workforce investment, which generated more than $51 million in investment and 230 jobs, which Thrive CEO Lisse Regehr said they are excited to have coming in.
LaVon will begin her new position July 14.
During a meeting with Allen County Commissioners Tuesday, Regehr said the city of Savonburg has been awarded two grants for an upgrade of their electrical distribution system. Thrive Allen County CEO Lisse Regehr said the grants from the Kansas Corporation Commission and Build Kansas totaling $698,500, will allow Savonburg to proceed with the project that will include replacement of poles, transformers, and wiring. Thrive assisted the city in the application process.
Thrive was awarded a suicide prevention grant, part of which will be going to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office. Regehr and Sheriff Anthony Maness had conferred on this grant which the Sheriff’s Office will receive part of to pursue de-escalation and crisis intervention training, which they will be able to provide training on for others
Regehr also learned last week they have been awarded a veterans’ housing grant, more details on which will be coming, and the final site visit for the BASE grant awarded Allen County and managed by Thrive will take place June 24.
