Andrew Nash / The Morning Sun – This time last year, Pittsburg commissioners were getting ready to see the first results of a hotel/retail feasibility study for the community. Less than a year later, that study is already paying dividends.

Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President and city economic development director, said that study, as well as one conducted by Pittsburg State students a few years ago, have helped secure the arrival of new restaurants and created a new talking point for the community.

“The student survey really gave a lot of opinions and recommendations from the student sense,” Benson said. “The Hoffman Strategy Group/Jeff Green Partners study helped us put the numbers in,” Benson said. “The students said they wanted places like Buffalo Wild Wings and Rib Crib. While businesses do like seeing what students want, they also want numbers and projections.