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U.S. Senator Moran visited Garden City Community College on Monday to talk about how GCCC and Newman University are partnering on a mission to ensure southwestern Kansas residents of its current ‘higher education desert’ status, by offering bachelor’s degree programs in nursing, business, education and agribusiness.Degrees enrolling now for summer...
In the flow of a workday, it's easy to spend your time putting out fires — we've all been there. This reactionary brand of management results in a disconnected, chaotic feeling for everyone from the workforce to the customers. Focusing on your original vision for your company can create a...
63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024
Mar 15 2024Many people dream of starting their own business. Running an enterprise in your home, garage or on the go means you can take more control over your professional goals, set more ambitious financial targets and achieve a more desirable work-life balance.But what if you're ready to start a business but...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today awarded approximately $40.5 million for 60 grant projects through the Organic Market Development Grant program. These projects will support the development of new and existing organic markets, support the infrastructure to improve processing capacity, explore emerging technologies to promote...
In the quest for sustainable growth and prosperity, rural economic developers face a unique set of challenges, paramount among them being a pervasive issue of infrastructure deficits. These deficits not only stifle economic potential but also hinder the quality of life in rural communities.Understanding the ChallengeInfrastructure in rural areas encompasses...
Fresh food can be grown anywhere - including on a rooftop in Wichita, Kansas! Did you know specialty crops include not only fruits and vegetables, but also tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)?Read the original article here.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced $4.1 million in tax credits once again will be made available under the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP).CSP assists private nonprofit organizations and public healthcare entities undertaking major capital campaigns for projects involving:Community service, including...
100 top rural and community hospitals, by state
Feb 16 2024The Chartis Center for Rural Health released its annual list of the top 100 rural and community hospitals in the U.S. on Feb. 15.To determine the 2024 list, Chartis used the Chartis Rural Hospital Strength INDEX, which assesses performance in inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective,...
The annual National Write a Business Plan Month in December inspires startups and entrepreneurs to think ahead about the years to come. We at WKREDA encourage aspiring business owners to create a business plan and update it over time.The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) describes a business plan as “the...
We at WKREDA thank all of the nonprofits and charities in Western Kansas for the incredible work they do to help their communities. This Giving Tuesday, we hope that individuals and businesses in our region will keep these organizations in mind when looking for ways to give back. Their efforts...
Shop Local at these Unique Western Kansas Shops and Eateries this Small Business Saturday
Nov 20 2023We are celebrating all of the small businesses in Western Kansas this November 25th for Small Business Saturday. Small businesses not only offer exciting products and services, but they also add charm to communities everywhere and assist in driving local economies. How will you be observing Small Business Saturday this...
Manufacturing jobs tend to get a bad rap, as they are often associated with repetitive tasks in dull workspaces. Manufacturing today, though, requires workers to get creative to come up with innovative ideas and use the latest technologies to produce advanced products for consumers. Western Kansas is home to manufacturing companies...
The team at WKREDA would like to take the time to spotlight some small businesses that are making people smile in Western Kansas. Small businesses continue to help grow the local economies throughout our region. We encourage all Western Kansas residents to shop local!The WKREDA team can not thank our...
Scott County Success Stories
May 26 2023Scott County has been focused on community progress from its founding by a woman in 1886. Some of the most interesting innovations had their beginning in Scott County, from championing pump irrigation in the late 1880s to the recent story of US Premium Beef and development of the “grid” as...
The WKREDA team is excited to celebrate economic developers this week! Economic Development Week is a 7-day opportunity to reflect on the significant impact that economic development organizations have had on their local businesses and economies.
This year’s Economic Development Week takes place from May 8th through the 12th...
Make some time to help out a charitable organization in Western Kansas this April for National Volunteer Month. Organizations throughout Western Kansas can always benefit from new volunteers, whether they have applicable skills or no related experience at all.
National Volunteer Month takes place annually every April. It is...
The Great Plains Technology and Manufacturing Cluster (GPTMC) became a Gold Sponsor for WKREDA to have a positive impact on the future of Western Kansas. A Gold Sponsorship helps WKREDA promote Western Kansas for various community development activities and for recruitment of new talent and businesses, overall leading to...
2023 has just begun, the best time to take charge of your company finances for the year ahead of you. That’s why January is Financial Wellness Month, taking place directly after individuals have emptied their pockets for the holidays. Prepare for the year by taking stock of your own and...
Shop Local in Western Kansas this Holiday Season
Dec 24 2022This holiday season, the team at WKREDA urges all Western Kansas citizens to shop local! Making a trip to shop at downtown stores and dine at nearby restaurants this holiday season will not only help those businesses, but it will also help grow the local economy. Aside from boosting the...
The Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation invested in the future of Western Kansas by becoming a Titanium Sponsor for WKREDA. A Titanium Sponsorship with WKREDA will go towards promoting Western Kansas communities for recruitment of new businesses plus business and community development.
Why Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation Chose...
A Rising Tide Lifts All the Boats
Nov 22 2022NetWork Kansas launched the E-Community Program in 2007 and since then it has grown from six E-Communities to 69 E-Communities. As the E-Community Program grew, we divided the state into regions. We’ve recently hired two more E-Community Regional Managers to support what are now six E-Community Regions. For the most...
GCHS career fair seeking community presenters
Nov 19 2022Garden City High School will host a Freshman Career Fair from 8:50 – 10:25 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. The fair is focused on career exploration for GCHS freshmen who will soon be asked to select a career academy for the remainder of their high school education track.
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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today $15.7 million will be awarded to seven service providers that will bring high-speed broadband service to underserved, economically distressed, and low-population areas of the state. This is the first of three rounds of awards from the Kansas Capital Project Funds (CPF) Broadband Grant...
Join our team at WKREDA in celebrating local entrepreneurs throughout Western Kansas and their many accomplishments this November for National Entrepreneurship Month! Entrepreneurs throughout Western Kansas are busy creating the newest products and innovations and strengthening our economy.
The United States was ranked as the world’s most entrepreneurial country in...