By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Organized through the Great Bend Economic Development, $95,000 will be awarded Thursday, Oct. 5 to foster new business ideas in Barton County. The Ignite Rural Business Competition comes to a close with five entrepreneurs pitching their idea to a panel of judges.
Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger said Network Kansas has helped provide the funding, which will give $50,000 to the winner.
"Those funds come from selling Network Kansas tax credits," said Arnberger. "Thank you to the public because them buying tax credits is what enabled us to get that 30% back and put into our Ignite Rural Business Competition."
The finalists went through a series of rounds to get to this point to fine-tune their sales pitch. Arnberger said funds are available to hold the competition one more year, but the plan is to hold the event annually.
"Our goal is to support and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in our county," said Arnberger. "We feel like this is one good way to do that. We're really excited about the success we've had so far."
The public is welcome to attend the event beginning at 7 p.m. at the Crest Theater in Great Bend.