By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The people of Great Bend have asked questions. Jason Kuilan wants to provide some answers. The director of Great Bend Economic Development again provided updates to the Great Bend City Council during Monday’s meeting. He announced a pair of upcoming question-and-answer sessions to further educate area business owners and the public about Eco Devo’s mission.
“I just want to announce and reiterate that we’re holding a public forum on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. this week, open to Chamber members only,” he said. “Next week, on Feb. 11, we’re going to be hosting the same forum from 5-7 p.m. at Dry Lake (Brewing). Again, it’s just to answer any questions anybody has on the Innovation Center and explain what it is, as well as provide more information on Economic Development, the multiple subcommittees we have, the multiple programs we have.”
Previous Eco Devo leadership had pledged to give city council members financial reports each quarter. After a lapse, Kuilan was able to send out reports last Friday. As for the Innovation Center on 10th Street, Kuilan said work continues to finalize winterization of the building, but good news may be on the horizon.
“We’re having conversations with a lot of businesses and individuals here locally to help close that funding gap,” Kuilan said. “Those conversations have been going pretty well. I’m hoping in the next week or two, I’ll have some pretty big announcements on the funding of the Innovation Center moving forward, which will be a really big deal for us, and I think that will also open the doors for funding to finish the Innovation Center itself.”
Great Bend Eco Devo recently revamped its website to answer the public’s questions and to increase transparency. Visit the page at gbedinc.com.