There will be numerous benefits to the communities of Kingman and Pratt counties when construction begins at the end of the year on highway expansion in both counties. There will be 13 miles of expansion between the two counties at a total cost of $88.9 million. The Federal Highway Administration has said that for every …
When it is completed, the Kansas Star Casino is expected to bring in $25 million a year in revenue for Sumner County, and $11 million a year in Sedgwick County. Of course, economic development officials in every town within shouting distance of the new casino are trying to figure out how to capture a piece …
Attracting visitors isn’t just a small town problem. Convention room nights in Kansas City are down 50% from projections for this year. Some leaders in town believe they should proceed with plans to build a 1,000 room hotel downtown, while others believe they need to work on marketing themselves to completely different customers. The city …
The city of Hugoton, located in southwestern Kansas in Stevens County, has some exciting projects on the horizon. The biggest project, and the one that county commissioners have described as a “home-run” is the Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass commercial ethanol facility. When completed sometime in 2013, it will employ about 65 individuals in the chemical and …
One of the dominant new stories in recent months for small Kansas towns is the fear of losing the local post office. The Salina Journal just posted a story about the struggles of some north central Kansas cities, including Paradise, Ramona and Brookville. In Brookville, which [is one of 156 in Kansas on a list …
There’s a nationwide movement called the 3/50 Project. The idea is to pick 3 of your favorite local businesses and try to spend $50 a month at each of them. The founder of the 3/50 Project recently spoke in Newton: Can spending just $50 a month at small businesses save the local economy? Cinda Baxter …
The next time you are in southwest Kansas, either for business or pleasure, or on your way out to ski this winter, you may have to stop in Coolidge for the night. Located near the border with Colorado, in Hamilton County, Coolidge now not only has a bed and breakfast, but will soon open it’s …
Getruralkansas.org is a website that helps potential tourists understand the exciting things to see and do in your community. According to its website: “Rural Kansas: Come and Get It” is a project of the “Explore Rural Kansas Partnership” headed by the Kansas Sampler Foundation with support from statewide organizations listed under Partners. Grant support from …
We’ve blogged in recent weeks about numerous local governments providing incentives to encourage new home building and businesses in Kansas communities. One of those local governments is the City of Haysville. Since February they’ve been offering such incentives and the governing body recently voted to continue with those efforts according to the Derby Informer newspaper: …
KWCH reports that the Cunningham community is taking matters into its own hands as far as helping young resident-parents with child care. On Sunday, it broke ground on its first daycare center. The community raised money to build the center, and $250,000 is still needed to complete it. A video report is below:
A Wichita-based company recently repaid a forgivable economic development loan. Such loans are one of a variety of economic development incentives used by cities and counties to aid local business. Typically the loans are not paid back, or are forgiven, as long as certain conditions are met. It is rare for a company to actually …
With cities in Kansas losing as many as 150 post offices, folks in Norwich have found a way to keep one in their town. Norwich originally lost their post office in 2000, but it’s back in operation in a corner of the local hardware store: The U.S. Postal Service contracts with the owner of the …
We often see news stories of the economic struggles of rural Kansas. And, sometimes we see positive stories, too. Here are several recent articles… The Topeka Capital-Journal points out the pharmacies are becoming more scarce in rural Kansas counties. It highlights a family-owned pharmacy with locations in Lakin, Leoti and Scott City: Their Health Mart …
We’ve had several posts about the “Rural Opportunity Zone” legislation that recently passed the 2011 Kansas Legislature — describing it, discussing the slow response to sign up, and questions about its effectiveness. One more news article has come out questioning its effectiveness in bringing folks to rural areas of the state. The Topeka Capital-Journal says: …
A recent article in the Topeka Capital-Journal compiled a list of cities that are offering free lots to residents. Communities in Kansas have been using this kind of incentive for years. According to the article: Ellsworth County – From 2003 to 2008, 42 families had moved to the area and took advantage of the loan …