July 16, 2024
Co-creating Entrepreneurial Blueprints across Kansas through K-State 105
Submitted by Jessica Gnad and Gregg Hadley
Blueprints are a way to guide the future, and that’s exactly what a new K-State 105 pilot program is aiming to do. It’s an innovative program in which K-State Research and Extension plays a key role.
Today, we are excited to tell all of you about the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, which is a collaboration with our K-State 105 statewide partner, NetWork Kansas.This collaboration aims to co-invest and co-create collaborative projects in Kansas communities. By bringing together NetWork Kansas and its 75 E-Communities, K-State Research and Extension, and other partners across the state, we will be working with communities to develop new ways of fostering economic growth and community development in Kansas.
In other words, this is a pilot program to try new and innovative ideas that could shape future engagement opportunities across Kansas.
Through the Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative, K-State 105 funding will support several community-based projects across the state. The funding will go toward new and early stage projects in Kansas communities that focus on entrepreneurship and small business development. We’re looking for new and innovative ideas. Some project examples might include a business or food incubator space, a retail hub, a co-working facility, a makerspace, a community kitchen, a revolving loan fund or enhanced business programming, among other ideas. We encourage creativity.
K-State Research and Extension will be key to the success of these projects. As leaders in your communities, you are connectors and conveners in all 105 counties across the state, and you can help bring together partners to make project ideas a reality. The projects that will be selected for funding must emphasize collaboration with multiple partners, including K-State Research and Extension and NetWork Kansas, as well as additional K-State units or other statewide resource partners or higher education institutions.
We encourage all of you to take a moment and think about your communities. Is there a project at this point in time that is a good fit for your community? If so, help us spread the word about the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative. Encourage your community leaders to apply for this funding opportunity. The application deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Additionally, people in your communities may be reaching out to you to ask for your collaboration in these projects. We encourage you to get involved. If you have additional questions or if community members have questions, you can contact Deborah Kohl, community vitality program leader coordinator, at dkohl@k-state.edu.
Thank you for your work helping K-State 105 in our start-up year as we have built partnerships and collaborations across the state. The early success of K-State 105 would not be possible without K-State Research and Extension. Together, we can build a blueprint for economic prosperity in all 105 counties of Kansas.
Jessica Gnad, Director of K-State 105
Gregg Hadley, Assistant Vice President - Director for Extension