Economic Development
GBT is committed to the success and longevity of the communities we serve. Since we are a utility, we have access to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) which makes 0% loans available for rural economic development, job creation, and community facilities. Business start-ups and business expansions can apply for up to $1 million in loans; and community development projects can apply for up to $300,000 in loans. For more information on this, contact Kara Jecha at 800-432-7965, kjecha@GBTlive.com, or stop by our Rush Center office and visit with her about your project!
Rush Co. Memorial Hospital, LaCrosse – Community Development Loan (new CT scanner)
Ellis Days Inn – Business Start-Up Loan
BTI, Ness City – Business Development Loan
St. John Marketplace, Business Start -Up Loan
USDA 0% Loans
USDA 0% Interest Loans Available through GBT for Rural Economic Development, Job Creation, and Community Facilities Business start-up and expansion projects can apply for up to $1,000,000. Community development projects can apply for up to $300,000.
Eligible activities include:
- business start-up
- business expansion
- community development
Examples of activities not eligible include, but are not limited to:
- refinancing of existing debt
- speculative land purchases
- projects of residential nature
- transfer of ownership without expansion
- 100% working capital loans
- agricultural production
Projects must demonstrate they are economically viable AND have job creation potential by providing:
- business plan containing projected balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and a market/feasibility study;
- a letter of intent from a lending institution to issue a “Declining Irrevocable Letter of Credit” ;
- at least 20% supplemental funding of the total project cost by applicant.
For more information, contact Kara Jecha at 800-432-7965 or via email at kjecha@gbtlive.com.
Area Contacts for Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce
GBT’s commitment to the success and longevity of the communities we serve involves working with area professionals in both Economic Development and Chambers of Commerce. Here is a listing for your use.
Barton County
Barton County Economic Development
Diana Watson, Barton County Office Manager
1400 Main, Room #107
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone – 620-793-1800
Email –dwatson@bartoncounty.org
Website – www.bartoncounty.org
Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce
Jacque Isern, Chamber Administrator
110 ½ N Main Street,
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Phone – 620-564-3300
Email – info@ellinwoodchamber.com
Website – www.ellinwoodchamber.com
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development
Jan Peters, CEO/President
1125 Williams
Great Bend, KS 67530
Phone – 620-792-2401
Email – jpeters@greatbend.org
Website – www.greatbend.org
Hoisington Chamber of Commerce
Karen Baldyga, Executive Vice President
123 North Main Street
Hoisington, KS 67544
Phone – 620-653-4311
Email – hoisingtoncofc@embarqmail.com
Website – www.hoisingtonkansas.com
Edwards County
Edwards County Economic Development Corporation
Linette Miller, Executive Director
721 Marsh Avenue
Kinsley, KS 67547
Phone – 620-659-2711
Email – ecedc@sbcglobal.net
Website – www.edwardscounty.org/economic-development
Edwards County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 332
Kinsley, KS 67547
Phone – 620-659-2711
Website – www.edwardscounty.org/chamber
Ellis County
Ellis Alliance and Chamber of Commerce
Dena Patee, Director
820 Washington
Ellis, KS 67637
Pone – 785-726-2660
Email – ellisalliance@eaglecom.net, ellischamber@eaglecom.net
Website – www.facebook.com/getellis
“Grow Hays”
Doug Williams, Executive Director
219 W 10th Street
Hays, KS 67601
Phone – 785-628-3102
Email – doug@dwinc.net
Website – www.HaysAmerica.net
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce
Tammy Wellbrock, Executive Director
2700 Vine Street
Hays, KS 67601
Phone – 785-628-8201
Email – hayscc@discoverhays.com
Website – www.discoverhays.com
Finney County
Finney County Economic Development Corporation
Lona DuVall, President
1509 E Fulton Terrace, Garden City, KS 67846
Phone – 620-271-0388
Email – fcedc@ficoedc.com
Website – www.ficoedc.com
Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce
Steve Dyer, President
1511 E Fulton Terrace
Garden City, KS 67846
Phone – 620-276-3264
Email – chamber@gcnet.com
Website – www.gardencitychamber.net
Gove County
Economic Development
Ericka Nicholson, Director
202 Gove Street
Quinter, KS 67752
Phone – 785-754-3821
Email –govecountyed@outlook.com
Hodgeman County
Hodgeman County Economic Development, Tourism, and Chamber of Commerce
Lea Ann Seiler, Director
500 Main, Jetmore, KS 67854
Phone – 620-357-8831
Email – hodgeman1@unitedwireless.com
Website – www.hodgemancountyks.com
Lane County
Lane County Economic Development
Crystal Hoffman, Director
125 W. Long Street, Dighton, KS 67839
Phone – 620-397-2809
Email – lchd2@st.tel.net
Facebook – Lane County Eco Devo Happenings
Lane County Area Chamber of Commerce
Chelle Anderson
City Clerk
147 E Long Street
Dighton, KS 67839
Phone – 620-397-2211
Email – lcacc@st-tel.net
Website – www.dightonkansas.com
Ness County
Ness County Economic Development
Director
105 S Pennsylvania
Ness City, KS 67560
Phone – 785-798-4864
Email – nessecodevo@gbta.net
Website – www.nesscountyks.com
Ness County Chamber of Commerce
Cinda Flax, Director
103 W Main Street
Ness City KS 67560
Phone – 785-798-2413
Email – nccofc@gbta.net
Pawnee County
Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Pawnee County Economic Development Commission
Alex Filbert, Executive Director
502 Broadway
Larned, KS 67550
Phone – 620-285-6916
Email – larnedcofc@gbta.net
Website – www.larnedks.org
Rush County
Rush County Chamber of Commerce
Kehvan Zydhek, President
PO Box 716
LaCrosse, KS 67548
Phone – 785-372-4236
Email – rushcountychamber@gbta.net
Website – www.rushcountychamber.com
Rush County Economic Development
Brad Penka, Director
715 Elm
LaCrosse, KS 67548
Phone – 785-222-2808
Email – rced@rushcounty.org
Website – www.rushcounty.org
Stafford County
Stafford Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 24
Stafford, KS 67578
Email – sfcofc@att.net
Website – www.facebook.com/staffordchamberofcommerce
Stafford County Economic Development
Carolyn Dunn, Executive Director
210 East 3rd
St. John, KS 67576
Phone – 620-549-3527
Email – cdunn@staffordecodevo.com
Website – www.staffordecodevo.com
Trego County
Trego County Economic Development
Jody Zeman, Director
216 N Main Street
WaKeeney, KS 67672
Phone – 785-743-5785
Email – tregocoed@ruraltel.net
Website – www.tregocountyks.com
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