Legislative coffee set for next Wednesday

The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce will host a legislative coffee from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 13, at the chamber office, 1125 Williams St., City Administrator Kendal Francis said in his report to the City Council Monday night. The public is invited to attend the gathering.

Brush Up GB reopening

With warmer temperatures arriving, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden told the Great Bend City Council Monday night GBED is opening up its Brush Up Great Bend home improvement initiative.

“Now that spring is approaching and we’re finally seeing some nice weather, individuals can take advantage of our Brush Up Great Bend house paint grant program,” she said. This program will provide grants to enable homeowners in a lower income bracket to paint the exterior of their homes.

This program is operated on a first-come, first-serve basis while funds are available. Priority will be given to elderly and/or disabled homeowners. 

Homeowners interested in applying to receive funding to paint the exterior of their home must apply through Great Bend Economic Development at www.gbedinc.com/housing. The income requirements are there.

For more information, call 620-796-2407.

Loft grant program continues

While no new downtown Great Bend loft grants have been awarded since the first one, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden said the GBED program is progressing.

“We now have five buildings that are in their processes of getting things completed,” she said, giving a report to the City Council Monday night. Four of these buildings will be loft apartments and one is projected to be commercial space.

“I’ve had some great conversations with some council members (Monday) and they just want to keep this on the docket each time to hear some updates,” she said. “So we’ll continue to update you each time with how those are moving and we hope to have another grant out soon.”

For questions about the loft project or how to participate, one can go to www.gbedinc.com/housing. For more information, email director@gbedinc.com or call 620-796-2407.

Final Fridays coming soon

The Friday night celebrations in the 2000 block of Forest Avenue – also known as Great Bend Alive Plaza – are almost here, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden said in an update to the  City Council Monday night. The monthly events will be dubbed Final Fridays on Forest.

They will start April 29 and run from 5-9 p.m. on the final Friday of each month through November. 

Food vendors and entertainers who are interested can express their interest on a specific date by visiting GBED’s website www.gbedinc.com, she said. Anyone with questions can also reach out.

Business recruiting can be frustrating

Great Bend Economic Development Inc. is working with several potential businesses, but such recruiting work can be time consuming and frustrating, GBED President Sara Hayden said, speaking to the Great Bend City Council Monday night in here monthly report.

“We have seven open projects,” Hayden said. Two are food related and five are retail-hospitality related. 

“So we’re hopeful to get those to fruition,” she said. 

“I had some wonderful meetings today with a couple of the council members,” she said. “One of the questions or frustrations is why do we have to wait so long to know what these businesses are? And trust me I have the same frustrations.”

But, unfortunately, when they start these projects, it can be years before anything is finalized. “So just know they’re moving. They’re in process. We’re hoping that we can give you some good news soon.”

Course for businesses owners a success; services for entrepreneurs available

Great Bend Economic Development Inc. last week wrapped up its Growing Rural Businesses class, an eight-week certificate program that started Feb. 3, GBED President Sara Hayden said, addressing the City Council Monday night.

The course was taught by Wichita State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, but was done locally, she said. It was a partnership made through Network Kansas, a non-profit that helps connect state businesses with resources.

“We had some great feedback from the participants,” she said. “This course was specifically for people who were already in business who wanted to get their growth to the next level.”

They were pleased with the outcome, she said. They are hopeful they’ll get to offer this again.

“We heard nothing but wonderful things from WSU as well about coming to Great Bend and the feedback they received,” Hayden said. “So we’re hopeful to continue that in the future.”

GBED plans to follow this up now with training for entrepreneurs who haven’t started a business yet, but want to, she said. It would also be in partnership with Network Kansas. 

The need is there to help budding entrepreneurs. “We are now up to 22 individuals in the area that are hoping to start businesses, so we’re really excited to continue to see that number increase.”

She has been helping with business plans, financials, and loan and grant applications.

Those who might be interested in entrepreneurship assistance with resources or by taking the class are urged to call her.

Visit gbedinc.org, email director@gbedinc.com or call 620-796-2407.