During 2003, the Wichita County Enterprise Community determined the need to focus on business and entrepreneurial development as a means of achieving the goal of a self-sustaining community. In 2004, the EC continued to focus on the following group of benchmarks that they deemed valuable to their goal and essential for improving the quality of life in rural Wichita including: 1) the continued development of their Revolving Loan Fund, which to date has helped nine start-up businesses; 2) the development of a business incubator and educational training facility to assist business start ups and provide business education to assist in their long-term success; 3) youth and adult entrepreneurial and leadership education; 4) free and confidential business coaching through Enterprise Facilitation; 5) capturing and building community wealth through the Wichita County Community Foundation; 6) developing and implementing a community marketing plan aimed at promoting the positive attributes and activities of the county to residents and alumni.

Towards meeting the goals of the above listed benchmarks, the EC spent a large portion of 2004 developing the renovation plans for the Business C.A.R.E. Center and Incubator—the centerpiece to the entrepreneurial development plans. The facility will be located in two downtown buildings that the EC purchased in late 2003. The EC also began developing the educational programs that would be conducted in the facility, including a youth and adult EDGE program (Educating, Development and Growing Entrepreneurs); a community leadership program; a Spanish business development program called Mi Negocio; and monthly educational and peer-to-peer business programs.

The EC also continued to work on the growth of the community foundation. By partnering with the Wichita County Community Foundation, the EC awarded community grants to six non-profit organizations to address quality of life issues in the community that will help retain residents and attract alumni to the county.

The EC has continued their regional partnership with five other adjacent counties in providing free and confidential business coaching through one of five Enterprise Facilitation pilot projects in the State of Kansas. Enterprise Facilitation is a grassroots entrepreneurial assistance method that uses local citizens and sound business practices to assist people in developing small entrepreneurial businesses, allowing communities to grow one small business at a time. This regional partnership has helped strengthen the relationship across local boundaries and will provide a basis for future collaborations.

The EC continued to enjoy success with its Revolving Loan Fund, making its ninth loan during 2004. The RLF has helped nine new businesses in Wichita County creating more than 20 new jobs. While developing these benchmarks in the area of business and entrepreneurial development, the EC realized the need for a community marketing plan to promote the positive attributes of the community, highlight progressive activities, and advertise business and employment opportunities to both residents and alumni of Wichita County. The EC kicked off their marketing campaign in conjunction with Wichita County’s All School Reunion in August of 2004. The campaign includes a quarterly tabloid-style newspaper mailed to every box holder in Wichita County and to Wichita County alumni, utilizing the alumni mailing list updated for the reunion. It also included power point presentations at the alumni reception and throughout the Wichita County Fair, which is held in conjunction with the reunion.

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