Kiowa County
In 2007, Kiowa County was devastated by tornadoes, and the county seat and largest city, Greensburg, was almost completely destroyed. In the agonizing months that followed, the residents decided not just to rebuild Greensburg, but to rebuild Greensburg as a model of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. This decision has garnered international media attention for the county, and spawned a TV show on the Planet Green TV network.
Attractions in Kiowa County include the world's largest hand-dug well in Greensburg and eccentric artist, M.T. Liggett from Mullinville, who inscribes his sculptures with political messages. Liggett was featured in the 2004 documentary "What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America".
The Kiowa County E-Community has already approved a loan for Green Signs, a Greensburg sign company, and is in the process of reviewing several other applications.
Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) Key Contact
Dee Chandler, Director
Kiowa County Economic Development
101 South Main
Greensburg, KS 67059
kiowadevelopment@gmail.com
Office: 620-723-3188
Application & Process
Kiowa_E-Community_Loan_Application_Kiowa.pdf Links
Official Kiowa County Website
Key Resources
Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC), Wichita State University
The Kansas Small Business Development Center offers free & confidential business management counseling, including business plan development, marketing, financial analysis for existing businesses & start-ups.
KDOC Office of Rural Opportunity (ORO), Southwest Region
The KDOC ORO serves as a contact point for rural communities seeking assistance with community development to help attract businesses, workers, and investment.
Great Plains Development, Inc.
As a Certified Development Corporation, Great Plains Development, Inc. completes business finance packages, does financial analysis on business projects, assists with strategic planning for individual communities or for the region, and completes Community Development Block Grants for communities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Area 1
USDA offers many different loan and grant programs for business startups and expansions.
Central Prairie Resource Conservation and Development
Central Prairie RC&D provides assistance with business planning, technical details, networking, and financial areas of starting or running a business.