wKREDA News

Eagle Communications Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Retail/Service Business of the Year

Monday, January 13, 2020

Eagle Communications Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Retail/Service Business of the Year. They were nominated by Helen Dobbs of the Cheyenne County Development Corporation. Eagle Communications knew that the community of St. Francis was struggling with slow internet connectivity, which kept the community from bringing in businesses that require a stable and strong internet connection and keeping the residents from even streaming video. They say an opportunity to invest in St. Francis by building a fiber to the home connection which allows businesses to hold a stable connection, at any speed they desire. About Eagle Communications Eagle Communications has been activ...

Pratt County Historical Museum Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Tourism/Art/Culture Business of the Year

Wednesday, January 08, 2020

The Pratt County Historical Museum Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Tourism/Art/Culture Business of the Year. The Pratt County Historical Museum has over 21,000 square feet of artifacts and is one of the nicest museums in the state, especially for a community the size of Pratt. This year they were bequeathed a very rare and large native American collection of artifacts from Pratt and the surrounding area. About the Pratt County Historical Museum The Pratt County Historical Museum has been active in the community since 1968. The museum draws visitors from across the country with hundreds of visitors a year. You ca...

Pratt Real Estate Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Retail/Service Business of the Year

Monday, January 06, 2020

Pratt Real Estate Has Been Nominated for the wKREDA Retail/Service Business of the Year. Pratt Real Estate in 2019 went above and beyond in helping with a very difficult site selection process. A new business venture was looking for agricultural ground, with very specific needs for water, other utilities, and speed to start their business. They were able to work with Pratt Real Estate to help them meet their needs. Pratt Real Estate partnered with Pratt County Economic Development and hosted multiple site visits and worked tireless hours on the project. While it did not come to fruition Pratt Rea...

Kansas: Broadband For All In The Sunflower State

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

A new State Office of Broadband Development in Kansas is working to make sure rural parts of the state can get the same high-speed service as urban centers. The Kansas Office of Broadband Development was created to lead a statewide effort to expand broadband coverage and capacity for all Kansans. Access to affordable, quality service is critical to advancing economic growth and competitiveness. High-speed broadband services help create new jobs, attract new industries, expands markets for new and existing businesses, enables Kansans to better access educational opportunities and resources, facilitates delivery of healthcare services, and helps protect public safety. Read full article.

New group seeks to grow Kansas tech industry's workforce

Tuesday, December 03, 2019

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A new group has formed to get Kansas residents talking about the state's technology industry because, organizers say, those already working here in the industry are unaware of the depth of career opportunities available and recruitment of new talent must be a collaborative effort. "As a community, we are not coordinating ourselves to develop a workforce for tech like we do for aerospace and manufacturing," said Luis Rodriguez, president of Keycentrix, a provider of health care and pharmacy software that has been based in Wichita since 1974. "So last summer the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas pulle...

FCC approves nearly $40 million for rural broadband in Kansas

Monday, December 02, 2019

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The FCC authorized nearly $38.7 million to fund broadband access for 10,864 unserved rural Kansas homes and businesses. The Federal Communications Commission says the money is part of the third wave of support from last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction. Providers will begin receiving funding this month. Read full article.

New Kansas Broadband Map Shows Internet Accessibility, And The Areas Sans Service May Surprise You

Sunday, December 01, 2019

DODGE CITY — Kansas is bathed in shades of blue that stretch north to south, east to west. That’s not a reference to politics: It’s what the state looks like on the Federal Communications Commission’s Fixed Broadband Deployment map. The map shows the approximate number of internet service providers within an area — the lighter blue represents fewer, the darker multiple. Considering the entire state is blue, you’d think internet service is available everywhere. Read full article.

Country Seasons in Larned Nominated for wKREDA’s Retail Business of the Year Award

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission has nominated Country Seasons Flower Shoppe for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year Award. This charming small-town floral and gift shop is a staple in Larned, Kansas and the kind of place you want to visit, both as a resident and a tourist. “They work diligently at promoting our downtown businesses. They carry gift items for all occasions - so we don't have to go out of town to find them. They even create gifts that match your individual taste – offering a service that is hard to fin...

The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus Nominated for wKREDA’s Service Business of the Year Award

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus (PVCH) has been nominated by the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year Award. “We’re proud to have a critical care community-owned hospital here in our community. They are very involved in the community from putting on community physicals, the 6th Grade Careers Day, sponsoring local events and parades, hosting an annual benefit run and much more. They also offer wellness classes to help community members improve their health and have launched an initiative for a healthy hospital. They are ...

Leveled By A Tornado, A Small Kansas Town Dreamed Big And Got Even Smaller

Monday, November 18, 2019

GREENSBURG, Kansas — The massive tornado that leveled this town in 2007 pretty much defines disaster. Eleven people dead. The place in ruins. Yet without the tragedy, Greensburg wouldn’t have had the chance to transform itself into “the greenest community in America.” It now runs on renewable energy wired into buildings and homes designed with the latest in conservation technology. Read full article.

Knight wins economic leadership award

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Joann Knight pulled up the quality of life in Dodge City by its bootstraps over the last 28 years as executive director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, and this month she was awarded for her accomplishments by the National Rural Economic Developers Association. Knight received the National Rural Economic Development Leadership Award “because of the number of her accomplishments on all fronts,” said NREDA awards chairman Dennis Mingyar. Read full article.

Eakin Enterprises Nominated for the Retail/Service Business of the Year Award

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Eakin Enterprises has been nominated by the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year Award. Emma Milhon of the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission, said, “Eakin Enterprise is a long-time business in our community that has a friendly staff, great customer service, and does a lot to help the community. They were selected for the Large Business of the Year award and we are proud to nominate them for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year Award.” About Eakin Enterprises Eakin Enterprises, Inc. is a family owne...

KANSAS PROFILE | With NetWork Kansas, Steve Radley aims to help state's entrepreneurs

Sunday, November 10, 2019

What can we grow across Kansas? Wheat? Industrial hemp? Wind turbines? How about jobs and businesses? We’ll meet an organization which is devoted to the growth of entrepreneurship and small businesses across our state. It’s today’s Kansas Profile. We met Steve Radley. As a personal project, he produced a film about rural Kansas. His ideas for that film sprang from his work as president and CEO of this organization known as NetWork Kansas. In 2004, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Economic Growth Act. That law, among other things, established the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship which now does business as NetWork Kansas. Rea...

County receives $6.5 million for business corridor

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Ellis County’s proposed Northwest Business Corridor got a big boost with a $6.5 million BUILD discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a release from Sen. Jerry Moran’s office. The proposed $11 million Northwest Business Corridor north and west of Hays would improve three heavily traveled county roads in a busy industrial area, as well as the Exit 157 intersection where on- and off-ramps to Interstate 70 converge with 230th Avenue. Read full article.

Leadership Kansas concludes six months of sessions across the state, graduates its 41st member class

Friday, November 01, 2019

The 41st class of Leadership Kansas graduated after two days in the capital city. Topeka was the final stop on a six-month journey for this year’s Leadership Kansas participants. The 40 members of the 2019 class spent time each month traveling across Kansas to learn about the state’s triumphs and challenges. Read full article.

Carol Long Pottery Represents the Incredible Artistic Talent Found Within Western Kansas

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Carol Long Pottery in St. John, Kansas has been nominated for wKREDA’s Tourism/Art/Culture Business of the Year. With 35 years in business, Carol Long has been creating unique, one-of-a-kind works that are fit to grace the most remarkable of homes, corporate offices, hotels or even the family living room. Works like her Long Bird Basket Vase feature intricately painted designs that reflect the intriguing beauty of nature. Yet, the designs painted on the pottery are just one aspect of why her works stand out. Vases include gracefully sweeping handles conjuring images of curling branch or a fluttering leaf. Her work...

White’s Foodliner Nominated for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

White’s Foodliner in St. John, Kansas has been nominated for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year by Stafford County Economic Development (SCED). When nominating the company, Ashlee Bevan of SCED said, “This new business in St. John has brought lots of grocery industry experience to the community. The White family always tells us you have to be ‘students of the business.’ We are fortunate to have this grocer running the Stafford County Marketplace.” White’s Foodliner has a deli full of tasty ready-to-eat items, sells beautiful fresh produce, has a meat department and everything that a person could want in a grocer...

Bling, Inc. is a Growing Fashion Empire Based in Scott County, Kansas

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Scott County Development Committee nominated Bling, Inc. for wKREDA’s Retail/Service Business of the Year award. Bling, Inc. is a fashion-forward retail brand based in Scott County with 11 locations throughout the state of Kansas and Nebraska. They sell women’s clothing, accessories and footwear online and in stores with locations in many of Western Kansas’ charming small towns like Scott City and Hays. The company began in 2008 with only $500. At first, they sold fashion accessories from their basement but soon, Nicole and Mark Campos began to expand the company. They have done so without acquiring debt, something that has furthe...

Fairleigh Corporation Has Made a Lasting Impact on the Cattle Industry

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Fairleigh Corporation was nominated as wKREDA’s Agriculture Business of the Year award by Scott County Development Committee. The Fairleigh family of companies has been integral to Scott City’s growth and success throughout the years. Their businesses have included Fairleigh Feed Yard, Fairleigh Ranch, Fairleigh Trucking, Scott Pro, Inc. and L & M Western Tire. This innovative and entrepreneurial family has continued to invest in Scott County, helping the region to grow while simultaneously furthering their business interests. Fairleigh Corporation is a strong community partner and deserving recipient for the Agricultural Business of the Year award. Fairleigh Feed Yard Plays an Importan...

Nu Life Market in Scott County is Creating New Opportunities in Value-Added Agriculture

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Nu Life Market, LLC was nominated by the Scott County Development Committee for the Manufacturing Business of the Year award. Located in Scott City, Kansas, Nu Life Market combines the dedication and skill of professional farmers and food scientists with superior quality control standards to provide customers with top quality sorghum flours and grain products that consumers can trust as safe and healthy options for their family. Nu Life products are produced under strict food safety protocols in dedicated gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, soy free and certified kosher facility. This has allowed the company to service a consume...

Report: Kansas Growers to Harvest More Corn, Fewer Soybeans

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A government report says Kansas farmers are expected to harvest 810 million bushels of corn this season. The National Agricultural Statistics Service also reported that this year's corn crop in Kansas is expected to be 26% larger than last year's production. The agency says about 1% of the corn crop in Kansas is now mature. Harvest of the state's other two major fall crops is anticipated to be smaller this year. Sorghum production is forecast at 194 million bushels, down 17% compared to a year ago. Kansas farmers are expected to bring in 191 million bushel...

Working in Kansas

Monday, August 12, 2019

Kansas offers both the fast pace of a large city and the more relaxed lifestyle of rural America. Whether you choose bow ties or boots, Kansas offers more. More Time for What Matters What would you do with an extra hour a week? Commute times in Kansas are about 12 minutes a day less than the national average. Don’t waste time needlessly sitting in traffic. Each year American commuters waste 42 hours, more than a typical work week, according to the Auto Insurance Center, an insurance information website. Moreover, Kansas has consistently been ranked as having some of the best roads in th...

Kansas Wheat Harvest Forecast at 330 Million Bushels

Wednesday, August 07, 2019

A government report is forecasting that growers in Kansas will harvest 330 million bushels of wheat this season. The latest estimate released Thursday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service is based on crop conditions July 1 and comes as wheat harvest is well under way in the state. Its forecast anticipated that the crop will be 19 percent larger than it was a year ago even though farmers are harvesting fewer acres this year. Kansas growers are expected to harvest wheat from 6.6 million acres, down 10 percent from a year ago. The larger crop is expected because average yields i...

BIOSCIENCE

Monday, August 05, 2019

ALIVE WITH POSSIBILITIES The science of living things such as human, animal and plants, has long been a strong field for Kansas. From the University of Kansas’ nationally recognized drug discovery and development enterprise, to the state’s historical agricultural leadership, to the selection of Kansas as home to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, the bioscience industry is growing. Read full article.

ANIMAL HEALTH

Sunday, August 04, 2019

Kansas is home to a large concentration of public and private entities in the animal health and nutrition sectors, including research and production of therapeutics, diagnostics, biologics and nutrition and feed products. The state currently has more than 16,000 people employed in biosciences, building on our established and emerging strengths. Kansas sits within the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, the single largest concentration of animal health interests in the world. This region is home to more than 300 animal health companies, accounting for 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. Read full article.

AEROSPACE

Saturday, August 03, 2019

KANSAS SOARS Kansas has a proud history as an aerospace manufacturing leader. Some of the industry's earliest pioneers, including Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech, made Kansas their home. During the 1940's, Boeing's B-29 Superfortresses rolled off Wichita's assembly lines. In 1954, Wichita began producing the iconic B-52 bombers, aircraft that are still in service today. More than 106 years since the first plane was built in Kansas, the state remains a vibrant hub for aviation manufacturing. Manufacturers in the state leverage low operating costs, a skilled workforce and world-class research institutions to build some of the most iconic planes in the world. Read ful...

Special grants awarded to 11 Kansas communities

Friday, August 02, 2019

TOPEKA, Kan. (RELEASE) Secretary of Commerce David Toland has announced the award of a special series of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to support 11 rural communities across Kansas. These grants are specifically designed to aid communities in constructing or reconstructing community swimming pools. Improvements to recreational assets will enhance the quality of life in each community, a key strategy in economic development. Read full article.

These Programs Will Pay Kansas Farmers for Crops They Won't Harvest

Thursday, August 01, 2019

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (HPPR / KNS) — Three years ago, rancher and farmer Jay Young got intrigued by a YouTube video. A North Dakota farmer championed the idea of cover crops — plants that would be considered weeds in many other contexts — as robust plants for his cattle to graze on. Young applied the cover crop strategy – rotating rye, radishes, turnips, oats and barley – to his land just east of the Colorado border. The plants held the soil in place, trapped nutrients in the ground and made the ground nicely spongy. Partly as a way to prop up farmers wh...