News

We've come a long way....

WCED Celebrates 10 Years of Progress

 

                                                 Ten years and over $7 million have

                                                 had an impact on the economic

                                                 prosperity of Wichita County.

                                                 But even members of the Wichita  

                                                 County Economic Development board

                                                 of directors say the full impact of their

                                                 efforts may not be known for years to

                                                 come.

                                                 "We feel that we've made a

                                                 difference," says outgoing President

                                                 Todd Heitschmidt, who has been a

                                                 board member for the past 6 1/2

                                                 years. "I feel we've at least slowed the out-migration (of people), which was one of our primary goals from the beginning."

WCED has been in the unique position of being declared an Enterprise Community. That designation was based on population decline and made the county eligible for a $2.5 million grant in 1999 that is to be disbursed over a 10-year period.

Add in other grants, donations and federal home loan funds and the

total now tops $7 million.

The WCED board of directors has been responsible for implementing programs aimed at job creation, business recruitment, home rehabilita-

tion and downtown revitalization, just to name a few.

"We haven't had a book to follow on how to do this. We're writing the book," says Heitschmidt.

WCED has established a track record of success since that first meeting

on May 23, 1996. It was officially incorporated on June 7 that same

year.

"We have businesses in our town who wouldn't be here without

economic development," says Farrin Watt. "I believe we've slowed the outmigration."

"We've had success in creating jobs and hopefully we've given people a reason to consider moving to Leoti, or getting those who have moved away to consider returning home again," adds Lonnie Busch.

Some of those results may already be evident. WCED has initiated a HOPE (Homestead Opportunities for Prospective Employees) Program aimed at recruiting people to work at local businesses. Individuals who take a job and stay with a local employer for at least a year are eligible for a minimum cash bonus of $500 and home downpayment assistance of up to $10,000.

Kara Ayers, who is helping to coordinate the program, reports receiving nearly 60 responses since the program was initiated in the last two months.

Other evidence of short-term successes include community clean-up projects, new signage welcoming persons to Leoti and the start-up of several small businesses.

                                     A significant project was the renovation of the

                                     former bank building at the intersection of      

                                     K25/K96 Highways into the Business C.A.R.E.

                                     Center. The facility is wired for internet and

                                     distance learning capabilities and also includes

                                     a kitchen area.

                                     In the west side of the building is the Cutting

                                     E.D.G.E. business that is being operated by

                                     Wichita County High School youth, in addition

                                     to space available as an incubator for new

                                     businesses.

                                     Other accomplishments cited by the board

                                     include the recruitment of a new dentist,

                                     bringing a new pharmacy to town and

                                     establishing the Wichita County Community

                                     Foundation.

                                     On a bigger scale, WCED was instrumental in helping to bring the Seaboard Farms feed mill operation to Leoti. This $12 million facility processes $75 million in feed annually and employs nearly 40 people.

The real success, says newly elected President Chris Conard, has been the level of commitment from volunteers on WCED.

"We have people like Jess (Krenzel) and Liz (Gould) who have been on this from the beginning. There are a lot of people who are committed to making this organization a success and doing whatever they can to help this community grow," says Conard.

"I'd like to think this has been a challenge, but we all care or we wouldn't be here," adds Krenzel.

Realizing the importance of getting input from younger people, the WCED board has always included two high school representatives. In fact, one former high school board member, Matt Long, made a point of attending a recent meeting while in Leoti for the summer.

Despite the many accomplishments of WCED over the years, Long feels their greatest achievements are yet to come.

"Because we've had so much money available, maybe things have come a little easier," he observes. "When that money is no longer available, the challenges will become greater. But the rewards will also be greater."

Board members acknowledge that federal funding is always an uncertainty, but the fate of WCED doesn't hinge on the continuation of that revenue source.

"There may come a time when we don't get any new funding, but we already have some things established," says Executive Director Sharla Krenzel. "The revolving loan fund is in place and we have the funds to keep it going."

While WCED has achieved a number of short-term objectives, it may be years before the full impact of the organization is realized.

"We're constantly evolving. We're trying new ideas and programs. Some will work and some won't," says Conard. "It may be 10 to 15 years, maybe longer, to know whether or not we've made an impact."

 

Highlights Over the Past 10 Years

1996

• An incorporating meeting of WCED was held on April 29 with 10 people present.

• In May, WCED began discussions with representatives of Duckwalls to locate a store in Leoti. Duckwalls opened in November.

• After working with two candidates for four months, it was announced that Jon and Jena Brunswig would be opening a retail pharmacy in August.

• WCED authored a grant application for $210,000 in tax credits for the Wichita County Health Center. Tax credits were awarded in August.

1997

• WCED assisted the Wichita County Health Center with recruiting a physician's assistant.

• A $15,000 grant was awarded in December to start a community youth center.

• Seaboard Farms contacted WCED in December concerning interest in locating a $12 million feed mill in either Greeley, Scott or Wichita Counties.

1998

• WCED helped negotiate a $450,000 10-year grant from Seaboard Farms for USD 467 technology. The grant would be paid upon the employment of 25 people in Wichita County by Seaboard Farms.

1999

• Wichita County was designated a rural Enterprise Community as a result of an application by WCED. WCED was authorized to implement a $2.5 million grant over the next 10 years.

• Seaboard Farms announced in January it will locate a feed mill in Wichita County. The facility will employ 35-40 people and process $75 million in feed annually.

• Because of the county's EZ/EC designation, more than $1.5 million in housing loans were made available to local residents to purchase or repair homes.

• Dr. Joanne Brown visited the community in August and a month later had committed to locating her dental practice in Leoti.

2000

• More that $1 million in funds for USDA housing loan programs were again allocated for Wichita County residents.

• Wheatland Electric partnered with WCED to assist in financing Dr. Brown's dental practice. Wheatland applied for a USDA Rural Development grant in the amount of $154,400 to establish a revolving loan fund. The first loan was made to Dr. Brown.

• WCED established a revolving loan fund for Wichita County businesses. In July, the first loan of $50,000 was made to a new business that created two new jobs.

2001

• An additional $590,000 was set-aside in USDA housing loan programs for Wichita County residents.

• WCED was awarded a Rural Business Enterprise Grant in the amount of $199,000 to establish a revolving loan fund. The first loan was made to Dr. Brown for the construction of her dental office.

2002

• The Department of Commerce and Housing awarded $216,200 for demolition of residential and commercial structures.

• Wichita County partnered with five other counties to establish an Enterprise Facilitation pilot project.

• Low interest loans were made to three businesses, retaining six jobs and creating one new job.

2003

• Became an affiliate member of the Wichita County Community Foundation, establishing an endowment fund for community economic development.

• Acquired the old bank building and former ASCS office for renovation as a community meeting/training facility and start-up for businesses.

• Partnered with the Kansas Health Foundation and First Presbyterian Church to conduct community English as a Second Language classes.

2004

• Made a low-interest loan to a new business. The revolving loan fund has helped nine businesses in the county to start or expand.

• Provided $25,000 to the Community Foundation for six community grants and operation expenses.

• Continued to sponsor ESL classes. There were 12 students under the instruction of Carol Laws.

• Was awarded a $92.000 grant to purchase equipment for the Business C.A.R.E. Center.

2005

• Developed and implemented the EDGE Club to encourage entrepreneurship among high school youth. This resulted in the start-up of Cutting EDGE Graphics and Design.

• Implemented the Connect Wichita County leadership development program.

• Offered Mi Negocio business development classes for Spanish-speaking residents in Wichita County.