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.
