Showcasing impact across Kansas.
Commerce representatives, elected officials and local change agents will visit communities across Kansas to shine a spotlight on local projects that are transforming our state. These tours will provide opportunities to engage with local leaders, celebrate community progress and showcase the real-world impact of strategic investments.
Apply to be a stop!We will provide more information on the stops as they become available.
| Time | Location | Address | City | Why are we visiting? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 – 11:30 a.m. | Pieces of Rice County – Mural | 203 S Main Street | Bushton | Eight unique murals were created in collaboration with local artists and communities, each representing the heritage and identity of Rice County’s eight distinct towns. These “Pieces of Rice County” form a collective mosaic celebrating unity, history, and local culture while driving tourism and economic vitality. (EPIC) |
| 12-12:30 p.m. | Pieces of Rice County – Mural | 125 W Main Street | Lyons | |
| 1:15 – 1:45 p.m. | Bright Beginnings by ABCC, Inc. Childcare Center | 4507 Farmers Plz Lane | Great Bend | A 6,500-square-foot completed childcare facility. We’ll also visit the under-construction IGNITE Innovation Center, a $7 million facility that will serve as a community hub focused on childcare, entrepreneurship, workforce, and healthcare. (CSP) |
| 2:30 – 3 p.m. | Partridge Library | 106 S Main Street | Partridge | A brand new library and community center building was just finished and will accommodate the needs of the community. (CDBG) |
| 4 – 4:30 p.m. | Gray Photo Studio | 106 W 2nd Avenue | Saint John | A creative arts center inspiring the community through gallery displays, classes, and more. (HEAL) |
We will provide more information on the stops as they become available.
| Time | Location | Address | City | Why are we visiting? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9 a.m. | K-State Rural Education Center | 400 N. Fifth Street | Cimarron | Join us for a good ol’ school assembly. The Cimarron-Ensign school received 180 devices thanks to a grant through the Office of Broadband Development. (ADOPT 1.0 Device Distribution) |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. | The Miller Building | 325 N. Main Street | Garden City | This beautiful two-story building has undergone significant improvements, transforming it into a vibrant and functional part of the downtown once again. (Main Street – IWW) |
| 11 – 11:45 a.m. | knectY | Garden City Community College, 801 Campus Drive | Garden City | KANSASWORKS Network for Employment and Career Transition for Youth (knectY). Designed for youth ages 14–24 with disabilities, the initiative partners with the local school district, workforce development board, and statewide and local organizations to provide career-focused services. |
| 1 – 1:30 p.m. | Birdies and Co | 114 S 4th Street | Leoti | Full of plants, local art, sweet treats, body care essentials, and much more, Birdie’s Co. Is the place to go for unique gifts! Birdie’s is a local collective of handmade items from local merchants. This store is also home to a coffee shop and areas to rent. (HEAL) |
| 1:45 – 2:15 p.m. | City Hall | 406 S 4th Street | Leoti | Street reconstruction of eight blocks on 7th street, including sidewalk construction, water valve adjustments, erosion control, and resetting mailboxes. (CDBG) |
| 4 – 4:30 p.m. (CST) | Makerspace and Lofts / Lou Lous | 1010 Main Street | Goodland | This building has been restored into a vibrant community space. It now offers retail and office space, a “Rent-A-Room” service for small businesses, and a studio apartment for visiting workers. (HEAL) Goodland is located in the Mountain time zone. Please note that the tour will stop here at 4:00 p.m. Central time. |
We will provide more information on the stops as they become available.
| Time | Location | Address | City | Why are we visiting? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9 a.m. | Northwest Smile Center | 104 S 4th Street | Atwood | A nonprofit dental clinic, proudly serving 12 counties in Northwest Kansas, providing advanced, high-quality dental care for everyone. (CSP) |
| 10 – 10:30 a.m. | USD 294 Building Blocks Daycare | 114 S Griffith Avenue | Oberlin | This project renovated an older home into a daycare facility to address the childcare needs in the community. (RURAL CHAMPIONS) |
| 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. | Norton Regional Health Foundation | 807 North State Street | Norton | Tax credits helped this rural healthcare facility purchase a new CT scanner, critical to the care of their patients. (CSP) |
| 12:15 – 1 p.m. | Valley Hope | 709 w Holme | Norton | This addiction treatment and recovery center are utilizing tax credits for essential updates to continue to serve patients. Upgrades include replacing ligature-resistant window coverings to enhance patient and staff safety in the residential center, new lighting fixtures, and room renovations. (CSP) |
| 1:30 – 2 p.m. | Phillips County Bridge | South of Logan, 1st Street | Logan | Phillips County used CDBG funds to repair and overlay the deteriorating bridge, which spans the North Fork Solomon River. The 403-foot structure is vital for farmers transporting grain and equipment, mail carriers, emergency responders, and school buses. Closing the bridge was not feasible, as detours would add 9 to 30 miles to daily travel. The project milled the deck surface and placed a concrete overlay to extend the bridge’s service life and ensure safe, reliable access for the community. (CDBG) |
Rackets Tap House: Community-driven brewery revived a condemned building, preventing collapse and preserving history.
Butler Community College Foundation: The Redler Institute of Culinary Arts.
513 Commercial St: Upper-floor apartment renovations, preserving historic character while improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.
526 Commercial St: Building restored with roof, windows, masonry, and foundation repairs, adding upstairs offices and attracting first-floor business and retail tenants.
Free State Apartments: Three apartments above a bicycle retail and repair shop.
Labette County YJT House: A new internship program enabling high schoolers to build homes.
Cawker City Water Tower: Painted to look like the infamous ball of twine, this water tower is also worth seeing.
Nesting: The historic Lowis building is now a budding baby boutique!
Fire Truck: New ladder truck enhances firefighter safety, enabling access to higher floors and protecting residents and essential community structures in emergencies.
Cunningham Communications: Faster, more reliable internet connections are bridging the digital divide.
Emporia Arts Council: New innovation classroom and expansion of a clay studio.
Ellis Lakeside Campground: Restroom and bathhouse facility and an ADA-accessible playground.
Kitchen Collaborative: A modern, shared commercial kitchen, retail and event space.
Friends of JCDS: Two completed three-bedroom homes provide accessible, long-term affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Glasco Sewer Pipe: Improvements to the lift station and sanitary sewer system.
Daphne Mae Cafe: Indoor and outdoor dining options can be enjoyed at this rehabbed coffee shop.
Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas: New office space and thrift store to serve the region.
Jackson County: Faster, more reliable internet connections are bridging the digital divide.
Ballpark Project: Horton couldn’t play baseball or softball for five years, but that’s all changed now.
Brio Med Spa & Wellness: This wellness center renovated a 100+ year old building.
Farmhouse Fresh: A coffee shop with food and gifts located in a historic 1884 main street building.
Highwind Brewing Company: Shared community space with brewery, restaurants, and entertainment.
Planes on the Plains: One of three art installations designed to celebrate Clyde Cessna and the region.
Main Street Mercantile & Grocery Co.: The community’s only grocery store and a hub for local food producers.
No Stone Unturned: “No Need Unmet” campaign funds construction of a 20,000 sq ft state-of-the-art pediatric therapy center.
Flint Hills Discovery Center: This heritage and science center immerses visitors in the wonder and beauty of the Flint Hills.
Marshall County Health Department: A new building that fits right in thanks to Main Street Design Services.
Childcare Center: Five new childcare facilites, each one unique.
Newton Library: New $10M, 30,000-square-foot facility to serve the community.
Sunflower Bakery: A bakery that will also help educate the community on healthy cooking and life skills.
Letha’s: An intimate event venue for approx. 50 seated guests.
The Garage: This museum educates with interactive exhibits and promotes restoration and preservation of automotives.
202 on Washington: A beautiful and versatile event space with big future plans.
Shay Building: Five one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment.
Sylvan Senior Center: Dedicated space for seniors to gather and connect, also providing event capacity for the wider community.
Topeka Zoo: Learned about the Giraffe and Friends exhibit and upcoming My World projects.
Stormont Vail: Expansion and renovation of the Cardiovascular Procedure Center.
MT Networks, Coffey County: Expanded broadband infrastructure to a previously unserved area.
For more details on the Community Impact Tour, contact [email protected].
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