The Wichita County Enterprise Community consists of one census tract that encompasses all of Wichita County, Kansas. The 2006 Census estimates show that Wichita County continues to experience a decrease in population of -9% to 2,288 since the 2000 census. Another indicator that the population continues to decrease is school enrollment in the county. The 2008-2009 school enrollment decreased by 6 students from the previous year. Although there are indications that the population is still declining, the Wichita County Enterprise Community is hopeful that they are laying the groundwork for a reversal of those trends in the future. Wichita County Enterprise Community realized one of its greatest accomplishments to date as the construction of the Central Plains Wind Farm began in 2008. The wind farm (Benchmark 8), when complete in January 2009, will consist of 33 three-megawatt turbines and will employ 4-5 people. Although the State of Kansas exempted property taxes on wind generating equipment, the EC negotiated on behalf of the county a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the development company which provides for $2,500 per megawatt payment, or $247,500 per year, to the county which will be disbursed like other property taxes to various entities in the county. The EC partnered with the Wichita County Fairboard to raise money to construct a new arena grandstand, making a challenge grant to the community (Benchmark #53). For every dollar donated or raised for the project, the EC would match it up to $40,000. The EC serves as a convener for the business community by holding monthly Business 2 Business brown bag luncheon meetings at the Business CARE Center, where the businesses network and plan business promotional activities, such as Christmas Open House. Many other activities, such as computer trainings, are held in the facility throughout the year. -The EC continues to partner with local businesses in their efforts to attract employees through the HOPE (Homestead Opportunities for Prospective Employees) program (Benchmark #52), a matching cash incentive program. Although no funds were disbursed in 2008, the existence of the program is a marketing tool used by several businesses in their employee recruiting efforts. -The EC continues to work with the Wichita County Community Foundation (Benchmark #47), an initiative started by the EC, to grow the foundation through the capture of a percentage of wealth transfer. The EC funded a total of four community grants through the Foundation in 2008. The EC awarded one Business Beautification Grant this year for the repair of the façade of a downtown business. The matching grant made it possible for the business to make needed improvements to the exterior of the building, improving the overall appearance of the downtown business community (Benchmark #16). The EC also purchased a blighted building in the downtown business area in 2008. The building had been vacant for more than 15 years and was a safety hazard to the community. The EC completed the paperwork for the demolition of this structure, which will be completed in 2009. -The EC partnered with three surrounding counties to submit an application for the Kansas Scenic Byways program. The application was submitted in November and the EC is awaiting a response from the state at this time. -Members of the EC board of directors participated in the Kansas Business Retention and Expansion E-Survey training in 2008. The EC plans to implement this program in 2009 (Benchmark #34). -The EC again hosted a very successful annual meeting that features a community-wide chili cook-off, a fundraiser for organizations and projects in the county. More than 140 people attended the evening. It serves as an opportunity to keep the community updated on EC activities and accomplishments. As the EC moves forward, the greatest issue facing the county at this time is the condition of school facilities. The EC is currently working with the community and Unified School District to identify long-term solutions to its elementary school building, which will be condemned/uninsurable at the end of 2009. The EC believes that without a viable school in the county, prospects for growth and development are limited. A rural community revolves around a school and growing jobs and businesses would be difficult without one.

Wichita County Enterprise Community realized one of its greatest accomplishments to date as the construction of the Central Plains Wind Farm began. The wind farm (Benchmark 8), when complete in January 2009, will consist of 33 three mega watt turbines with a total capacity of 99 megawatts and will employ 4-5 people. Although the State of Kansas exempted property taxes on wind generating equipment, the EC negotiated on behalf of the county a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the development company in 2001 which provides for $2,500 per megawatt payment, or $247,500 per year, to the county which will be disbursed like other property taxes to various entities in the county.

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