Crawford County, KS

In the region's northwest section, you'll find Crawford County, Kansas, the proud home of Pittsburg State University (PSU). Since 1903, PSU's motto, "Where People Succeed," has been a simple description of the county's focus on the practical and useful. This attitude is woven into the local industries and is reflected in the programs offered by K-12 and higher-education providers.

Most of all, you'll see it in local residents' daily work habits. Their sense of self-determination is a big part of why Kansas is proud to be a right-to-work state, and why companies in the plastics, chemical, manufacturing, and fabrication industries find Crawford County to be a highly productive home.

PSU supports local employers with programs in engineering, electrical, manufacturing technology, plastics, technology management, and industrial management, along with custom training built around employers' needs. Nearby Neosho County Community College gives workers additional opportunities to sharpen their skills in management, computers, office technology, aerostructures, industrial engineering technology, welding, and more. Plus, local schools maintain a strong focus on vocational education, ensuring that graduates have the skills and attitudes that employers need.

Crawford County has a population of 39,134, with its largest city being Pittsburg and its county seat located in Girard. PSU houses the Kansas Technology Center and the Kansas Polymer Research Center, an internationally recognized center for chemistry and materials science with a specialization in vegetable oil-based polymer research and development. Crawford County is also home to AZZ, Pitt Plastics, Pittsco, Triple T Foods, and Sugar Creek Packing.

Pittsburg

Pittsburg is a micropolitan area of 20,233 people in Crawford County located in the southeast corner of Kansas near the Missouri state border. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and southeast Kansas. Pittsburg is home to a diverse population of people who thrive as entrepreneurs, seek adventure through outdoor recreation and welcome neighbors into the community. A new initiative is making renovations to its downtown by adding new retailers, offices, and lofts to the historic district. This thriving city is home to Pittsburg State University and many successful, growing companies like AZZ, Pitt Plastics, Pittsco, and Watco.

City of Pittsburg

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Pittsburg Economic Development

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Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

Girard

Girard was founded in 1868 by Charles Strong. The city has a population of 2,794. Girard is the county seat of Crawford County and is located almost exactly in the center of the county. Highways 47 and 7 meet here. BSNF Railroad also serves the city. Downtown Girard is built around a traditional courthouse square. The statue of a deer and a marker on the square commemorate the founding of the city on the site where Dr. Charles H. Strong, the founder of the city, killed a deer. Girard is also home to "Little Blue Books" of classic literature. Many of the downtown buildings have bronze plaques giving a brief history of the site. Girard is rich in tradition and intimate hometown values--and hometown cooking!

City of Girard

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Girard Chamber of Commerce

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