By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Giving away $95,000 will catch a lot of attention. Awarding those funds to create or build new businesses in Barton County will catch even more attention.
The first ever IGNITE Rural Business competition concluded earlier this month with five businesses given the chance to present their business proposals to judges. Those judges determined which entrepreneurial ideas deserved first, second and third place.
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With first place receiving $50,000, Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger said the winners will get reimbursed for their business expenses.
"They have permitted expenses they can use this for that they outlined in their beginning application and worked with them throughout this process," said Arnberger. "They will submit receipts that they have paid for, and we will reimburse them that expense."
Two of the winners Greystone, a downtown event space; and 10-39 Café, a restaurant in Ellinwood, are in the planning stages to open their businesses. The other winner, Hatchet Axtion, has been open since June 2022 and are looking to improve their new business. Whatever the case. Arnberger said plans are in place to keep generating entrepreneurship.
"Entrepreneurship in a rural community is the way we thrive," said Arnberger. "Statistics show it all over the nation. We really want to be a place that is known for supporting entrepreneurship. What better way to do it than in a public way that lets the entire state of Kansas know this is what Barton County does for entrepreneurship."
The source of the prize dollars came from Network Kansas tax credits. Arnberger said Economic Development will make sure to sell enough tax credits and gain sponsorships to offer the competition each year.