MANHATTAN — Kansas State University and Network Kansas are partnering with communities across Kansas to support entrepreneurship and small business through a new program with the K-State 105 initiative.
K-State has selected 11 projects for the first cohort of the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, which supports collaborative community-based projects focused on entrepreneurship and small business development in Kansas communities.
“The K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative is an example of a next-generation land-grant university in action – we’re bringing people and partners together to co-develop new and innovative ways to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across Kansas,” said Jessica Gnad, K-State 105 director. “In a way, we’re co-creating blueprints that can guide future work for economic growth in Kansas. We’re so excited to work alongside these 11 project collaborators in our first cohort.”
The funded projects involve collaborations with Network Kansas, K-State Research and Extension, higher education institutions and multiple community partners. The collaborations aim to leverage resources and build new ways to foster economic growth and community development in Kansas. The 11 projects in the first cohort were selected after a competitive process and review of applications from across the state.
“For nearly 20 years, we’ve had the privilege of seeing how innovative Kansas communities can be,” said Erik Pedersen, president and chief operating officer of Network Kansas. “The applicants in the Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative have raised the bar, proving once again that Kansas is a leader in creativity and forward thinking.”
The 11 projects selected include:
- “Neosho Valley Event Center incubator kitchen,” led by the Neosho County Fair Board in Chanute, Neosho County.
- “Life Skills Academy and Makerspace springboard,” led by Life Skills Academy Innovative Business Resource Center in Coffeyville, Montgomery County.
- “Entrepreneurs Intersection Fabrication Lab Expansion,” led by Emporia Main Street in Emporia, Lyon County.
- “IGNITE Innovation Center,” led by Great Bend Alive in Great Bend, Barton County.
- “Bluejay community retail renovation,” led by the city of Hillsboro, Marion County.
- “Edwards County Fair Building commercial kitchen renovation,” led by Edwards County Fair Board in Kinsley, Edwards County.
- “The Community Hub,” led by Wichita County Economic Development in Leoti, Wichita County.
- “Launching the Topeka startup community,” led by Omni Circle Group in Topeka, Shawnee County.
- “Caldwell Workspace commercial kitchen,” led by Sumner County Economic Development Commission in Wellington, Sumner County.
- “Side Gig Studio,” led by Cardinal Community Foundation in Wetmore, Nemaha County.
- “A La Carte commercial kitchen incubator,” led by Create Campaign in Wichita, Sedgwick County.
The K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative is one part of a variety of K-State 105 work happening across Kansas. Learn more and read about other projects at k-state.edu/105.
About K-State 105
K-State 105 is Kansas State University’s answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university’s collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise in other higher education institutions and state agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state. For more information, visit k-state.edu/105.
About Network Kansas
Network Kansas was established as a component of the Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 to further entrepreneurship and small business growth as a priority for economic and community development in the state of Kansas. Backed by more than 500 partners statewide, the Network Kansas service promotes an entrepreneurial environment by connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners with the expertise, education and economic resources they need in order to succeed.
Network Kansas facilitates the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within participating communities through the eCommunity Partnership. Contributing factors to successful development include the availability of financial capital, support from local leadership and the development of educational resources. All of these factors combine to increase entrepreneurial activity in participating towns, leading to increased startup activity, business expansion, job creation and more.
