From Great Bend Economic Development...
Founded in 2020 by a dedicated group of local citizens and city council members, Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) has evolved into a dynamic force for progress in our community. Initially funded by and focused solely on the City of Great Bend, GBED’s mission expanded in 2022 to support the broader Barton County region, thanks to a partnership with the Barton County government.
As of January 1, 2025, the Barton County Commissioners have made the decision to discontinue their role as a funding partner for GBED. This transition marks a pivotal moment in our journey, but our commitment to driving economic growth and opportunity remains strong.
Over the past five years, GBED has successfully accessed over $12 million in funding for projects and operations, fueling our efforts to catalyze regional growth. The City of Great Bend and Barton County have contributed to these funding efforts, with the majority of funding coming from competitive grants (62%) and private donations (24%). These dollars have been strategically invested in initiatives that have created a substantial return on investment for our community and our city and county partners.
Our dedication to fostering economic development is demonstrated by these and several other successful initiatives:
· Supporting 45+ Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Providing comprehensive business planning services to empower new entrepreneurs.
· Business Loans: Partnering in over $1 million in loans to support the growth of new and existing small businesses.
· Building an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Creating a dynamic, education-focused environment that nurtures the next generation of innovators through programs like ICE
· House, CO.STARTERS Core, Growing Rural Businesses, and coming soon, the IGNITE Innovation Center.
· Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge: Engaging and celebrating youth through our annual competition, ensuring the future of our region remains bright.
· Launching the IGNITE Competition: Providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase and develop their groundbreaking business ideas.
· Childcare Center Initiatives: Successfully launching a childcare center in Great Bend, with a second location to soon be announced.
· Downtown Housing Development: Facilitating the creation of 32 new downtown housing units currently under construction through our loft grant program.
· Revitalizing Commercial Properties: Removing a blighted property (former 10th Street hotel) to make way for new businesses, including a hotel and restaurants development.
· Leading a Regional STAR Bond Project: Spearheading a multi-million-dollar project designed to drive economic impact across the region.
· Enhancing Downtown Amenities: Investing in quality-of-life projects that continue to enjoy strong community support such as our annual Fridays on Forest events, Snowball Drop, and community tour app.
These accomplishments and more are a testament to the collective efforts of our community, our donors, and our partners. We extend our gratitude to the Barton County Commissioners for their critical partnership over the past three years.
As we move forward, GBED remains committed to our mission of driving economic growth and creating opportunities. Our continued and valued partnership with the City of Great Bend will help us build on the momentum of these successes and ensure a prosperous future for our community.
We look forward to continuing to foster positive change and working with all stakeholders to unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity in the years ahead.