Congratulations to the 2026 Rural Voices Youth Contest winners!

• Lainey Peschka, Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School – View the Entry
• Grant Rice, Minneapolis Junior/Senior High School – View the Entry

Two high school seniors from North Central Kansas have been named winners of the 2025-2026 Rural Voices Youth Contest. Lainey Peschka, a senior at Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School, and Grant Rice, a senior at Minneapolis Junior/Senior High School, submitted the winning entries for this year’s contest. Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the honorary John R. Cyr Rural Voices Award, named after Cyr, who served as the NCRPC Executive Director for 22 years.

The NCRPC has sponsored the contest since 2006 and has awarded more than $35,000 to high school seniors from across the region. High school seniors from the 12 counties in the NCRPC primary service area — including students from Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic, Saline, and Washington counties — were eligible to submit an original essay or video expressing their perspectives on the contest theme for 2025-2026, “Rural Kansas…Tomorrow’s Possibilities.” Learn more about the contest.

Rural Kansas: Tomorrow’s Possibilities

By Lainey Peschka

In 2026, very few gave a second thought to returning to a small town in rural Kansas. In fact, during my senior year of high school, nearly every conversation revolved around leaving. Whether it was leaving for college, future job opportunities, or cities that promised more excitement and opportunity. My classmates were ready to move on and not come back, and if I am being honest, I shared the same mindset. I was ready to graduate, excited to move on, and fully convinced that a better future existed somewhere else.

Now, fifteen years later, I overlook the very town I once could not wait to leave. I smile to myself because instead of fading away, like many thought it would, it is now growing and vibrant. This town did not just survive, it thrived. It transformed into a place where people can build successful careers, raise their families, form meaningful friendships, and create lives they once believed were only possible elsewhere. As I close my eyes, I ask myself how we got here. The answer, I believe, lies in those who are willing to invest in these small towns. The power to change the future of rural communities has always started with the people living in them.

I was a senior in high school when I first stumbled across what I believe holds the answer to shaping the future of rural Kansas communities. While reading “A Wealth of Opportunity” in the Northwest Kansas Today magazine, I was shocked at the realization of how simple, yet powerful the proposed change could be. The article, written by Betsy Wearing, explains how small financial gifts could create a tremendous long-term impact. She discusses how if current residents created a legacy gift of just five percent in their estates to local community foundations, rural Kansas communities would gain the resources needed to create lasting and meaningful change.

This idea stuck out to me because I believe these legacy gifts to the community represent so much more than money. They represent a belief that those who leave them believe in the future of the place they called home. Choosing to give back in this way is an intentional choice that says your community matters enough to invest in its future beyond your lifetime. Rural towns often receive a negative stigma for not having much to do, a place where even a simple shopping trip or grocery run requires a thirty minute drive. In reality, they are also a place where communities gather for Friday night football games, where people support the local coffee shops, where parents volunteer for field trips to the zoo, and where friends drive around on country roads looking at the thousands of stars the city could never allow. Investing in these communities ensures our hometowns will continue to thrive long after we are gone. While some may think they are destined to decline or they will never amount to anything, we have the power to assure our homes are places worth living in.

Using numbers helps to understand just how much of a difference giving five percent can truly make. According to Wearing, leaving just five percent of estates would mean that by 2072 approximately $500 million in grants would be available every year to those counties. With this amount of money each year, the possibilities are nearly limitless. These funds could support small business development and improve schools by keeping facilities updated, as well as improve infrastructure, healthcare, and new technology in our communities. Foundations could offer more scholarships to students who are passionate about pursuing secondary education. Grants could be given to businesses, farmers, athletic departments, and so many more. It would offer stability and freedom amongst our communities, and the hope of truly changing the negative stigma surrounding rural towns.

The concept of everyone collectively stepping up to make a difference changed the way I view leadership in our community. Before, I always thought leadership involved a title. Whether it was being the mayor, principal, or even captain of a varsity team, I associated leadership with a position. However, now I understand that leadership is the shared responsibility of all of us. Every community member, with or without a title, has the opportunity to step up and contribute to the future of our rural communities.

As someone majoring in accounting and finance, I see an opportunity to educate people on the lasting difference they can truly make. Using numbers and giving examples like the ones above, I believe it truly helps to show how much of an influence they can have in their local communities. I hope I can encourage others to see how small decisions can create an endless amount of possibilities for generations to come.

As I stand here fifteen years later, I open my eyes and once again overlook the town that I once thought was too small for the career and life I dreamed of. Now, I see a Main Street filled with thriving businesses, restaurants that hold friends sharing a meal as they talk about their best childhood memories in this town, a school that is modern and full of eager students, and new parks filled with the sound of children’s laughter. I realize now that success never meant leaving my home behind, it meant stepping up and finally initiating a change. This transformation did not happen by accident. It happened because people saw the possibilities of what their community could become and chose to believe in it. Rural Kansas is no longer a place where people are desperate to leave, but a place they are excited to return to.

So yes, fifteen years later, I can confidently say the answer to bringing lasting, positive change to our communities starts with those living in them. It required commitment, vision, and courage, and wasn’t always easy. It started with a few individuals who believed in a better outcome for rural towns and chose to give a little back to the place that gave them a home. Now, generations later, we were able to truly change the future for the better.

References

Wearing, B. (2025). A Wealth of Opportunity. Northwest Kansas Today, 7 (1), 18-21.

Building a Stronger Rural Kansas Through Leadership, Opportunity, and Investment in
Youth

By Grant Rice

Growing up in rural Kansas has shaped my values, my work ethic, and my vision for the future. In a small community, people learn early that success is built on responsibility, trust, and a willingness to step up when something needs to be done. Rural Kansas is not just where I live, it is where my family is, where my friendships were formed, where my business began, and where I plan to invest my leadership for the rest of my life. The relationships I have built in my hometown and surrounding communities have taught me that real change does not come from outside influence alone; it comes from people who are willing to stay, serve, and lead from within. If I had the power to shape the future of rural Kansas, I would focus on strengthening communities through education, entrepreneurship, quality housing, youth development, and long-term investment in people.

Five years from now, I envision rural Kansas as a place where young people see opportunity rather than limitation. Too often, students in small towns believe they must leave to find success. My goal is to help change that mindset by proving that education, innovation, and leadership can thrive in rural communities. Even while still in high school, I have owned and operated my own construction business, completing more than forty projects for local customers. Each project, whether a remodel, repair, or improvement, has strengthened homes, increased property value, and improved safety and pride throughout the community. These experiences have shown me that meaningful work creates visible change and that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for rural development.

In the next five years, I plan to continue expanding this work while completing my education. I will graduate high school while earning an associate degree in Applied Construction Technology, then complete a bachelor’s degree in Applied Business or Technology Leadership through an online program. This path allows me to remain in my community while applying what I learn directly to my business. Education should not pull young leaders away from rural Kansas; it should equip them to reinvest their skills locally. By combining hands-on experience with formal education, I will be able to operate more efficiently, manage projects responsibly, and serve customers with professionalism and integrity.

Ten years from now, I see rural Kansas with revitalized housing, growing local businesses, and stronger support systems for families and youth. Housing is one of the greatest challenges facing rural communities. Aging homes, limited renovation, and a lack of new development discourage families from settling in small towns. Through my construction business and plans to flip houses, I aim to directly address this issue. By renovating existing homes and investing in neglected properties, I can help improve safety, increase housing availability, and make rural communities more attractive places to live and raise families. Strong housing creates stability, and stability creates growth.

My leadership in this area will be practical, ethical, and long-term. I plan to earn my contractor’s license, real estate license, and home inspector’s license so I can approach development from multiple perspectives. This combination will allow me to manage projects responsibly, ensure quality workmanship, and guide buyers and sellers with honesty and transparency. In rural Kansas, reputation matters. Leadership means doing the job right, standing behind your work, and placing the long-term health of the community above short-term profit.

Alongside business development, youth mentorship and coaching are central to my vision for rural Kansas. For the past four years, even while still in high school, I have coached a youth travel baseball team and provided individual lessons outside of scheduled practices. Through this experience, I have learned that quality coaching is about more than teaching skills; it is about building confidence, discipline, accountability, and character. In rural communities where opportunities and resources can be limited, strong coaching can change the direction of a child’s life.

Quality youth programs give kids a place to belong, adults to look up to, and lessons that extend far beyond the field or court. I have seen how consistent guidance and encouragement can shape a child’s work ethic, leadership ability, and self-belief. As a leader, I believe investing in youth is one of the most important responsibilities anyone can have. Strong communities begin with strong young people, and strong young people are developed through mentorship, structure, and opportunity.

Looking fifteen years into the future, my vision for rural Kansas expands even further. One of my long-term goals, and ultimately my retirement dream, is to build a large warehouse-style sports facility in a rural community. This facility would include space for baseball training, basketball courts, football turf, and a full workout and conditioning center. My goal is to bring a high-quality athletic environment to a rural area where access to this level of training is rare. This would allow local athletes to develop their skills without needing to travel long distances to larger cities.

This facility would serve as more than just a training space; it would be a community hub. It would provide opportunities for youth to receive high-level instruction, stay active year-round, and build relationships with mentors who care about their growth. I plan to personally invest in coaching, giving lessons, mentoring athletes, and creating programs that focus on both athletic development and personal character. By offering camps, team training, and individual instruction in a rural setting, I hope to show that small towns can support high-level opportunities.

My hope is that this facility would also inspire others to invest in similar projects across rural Kansas. If one community can succeed, others will follow. This type of development could lead to improved youth sports programs, healthier lifestyles, stronger community pride, and increased economic activity. Families would no longer feel forced to leave rural areas to find opportunities for their children. Instead, opportunity would exist right at home.

Agriculture will always remain the backbone of Kansas, and my work supports that foundation. Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses depend on strong infrastructure, safe housing, and reliable facilities. By providing quality construction services and reinvesting locally, I can help support the families and industries that sustain rural communities. My leadership will strengthen not only individual towns, but the broader rural economy.

At the core of my vision for rural Kansas is sustainability. Sustainable communities are built when people choose to stay, invest, and serve. Leadership is not about position or recognition; it is about responsibility. It is about seeing a need and choosing to act. Whether through building homes, mentoring youth, coaching athletes, developing businesses, or creating community facilities, I want my leadership to create lasting, positive change.

If I have the power to shape the future of rural Kansas, I will do so by staying rooted, working hard, and giving back. Through education, entrepreneurship, coaching, and a deep commitment to youth and community development, I hope to help build a rural Kansas that is strong, vibrant, and full of opportunity for generations to come. My vision is not just for my success, but for the success of every young person who grows up believing that rural Kansas is not a limitation, but a place where dreams can grow, leadership can thrive, and the future can be built.

Public Also Invited to Attend North Central Regional Planning Commission Strategy Session Following CDBG Road Show

The NCRPC is partnering with the Kansas Department of Commerce to host a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Road Show to help communities learn about CDBG funding opportunities available to support local improvement projects.

The first CDBG Road Show will take place in the North Central region on February 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Hays Tech North Central Conference Room in the Severance Student Union on the Beloit Campus, located at 3033 U.S. Highway 24 in Beloit. The Road Show will continue at six additional locations across Kansas over the following month. For more information about the Road Shows, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The CDBG Road Show will provide an overview of current CDBG funding programs, guidance on developing strong and competitive applications, and opportunities to connect with resources and regional partners. The Kansas Department of Commerce CDBG team will discuss eligible project types, application requirements, and funding opportunities related to Community Facilities, Housing, Water and Sewer Infrastructure, and other programs. Time will also be allotted for project planning discussions and questions with Commerce and NCRPC staff.

The event is free and open to the public and will be especially relevant for local government officials, economic development organizations, engineers, architects, local project champions, and others involved in community improvement projects.

Pre-registration is requested. To register for the CDBG Road Show, visit https://forms.gle/LHJ4Z2wkJU38vE3SA.

Following the CDBG Road Show, NCRPC invites attendees and other regional stakeholders to participate in a brief strategy session focused on shaping the region’s economic development priorities for the next five years. This session will help inform the development of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which is currently underway. The strategy session will include a complimentary lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. and will conclude at 2 p.m.

Participants may attend the morning Road Show, the afternoon strategy session, or both.

To register for the NCRPC strategy session, visit https://forms.gle/cgBtycUEQMnveeq98.

For questions about the CDBG Road Show or the NCRPC strategy session, email communications@ncrpc.org.

Community Development Block Grant-COVID Resiliency Projects Ending Soon in Cloud, Lincoln, and Mitchell Counties

Limited grant funding remains to assist for-profit businesses in Cloud, Lincoln, and Mitchell Counties that were in operation as of March 1, 2020. The funding is part of the Community Development Block Grant-COVID Resiliency (CDBG-CVR) grants that were awarded to these locations in Fall 2023. The North Central Regional Planning Commission is administering these projects in each county.

These grants can help cover expenses for various projects, including equipment, software, professional development and training, HVAC upgrades, and more. The program aims to improve businesses in ways that directly enhance their resilience to events like pandemics or emergencies, with the primary goal of retaining jobs for low-to-moderate income families. This marks the fourth and final round of the Kansas CDBG-CV program.

“This is a unique opportunity for businesses to access grant funds that can help them become more resilient should we experience another health emergency such as COVID,” says NCRPC Community Development Assistant Carol Torkelson.

To be included in this project, businesses must submit their completed application by February 15, 2025. In addition to the requirement that the business must have been operational as of March 1, 2020, additional eligibility criteria are outlined in the application.

Interested businesses should contact Carol Torkelson to determine if their business project qualifies. Torkelson can be reached at the North Central Regional Planning Commission at 785-738-2218 or via email at communitydevelopmentassistant@ncrpc.org.

As part of the NCRPC’s Thriving Communities designation by the Department of Transportation, we have a small allocation of funding to assist communities in funding a preliminary engineering report (PER) for a transportation, water or sewer project. PER preparation for transportation projects will be highest priority.  Interested communities should reply on or before January 8, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for these Funds: Priority for communities less than 500 population, have a poverty level above the state average, have not received a state/federal grant in the last 3 years and/or are LMI eligible.

We anticipate that we will make 5 or 6 awards for approximately half of the cost of the PER.  This is an outstanding opportunity for communities to have a PER prepared for a reduced cost so that they are ready to prepare for grant funds later this year.

Awards will be made based on type of project – transportation will score higher than water and sewer.  Similarly, communities that meet more of the above eligibility criteria above and/or that have a higher poverty level, LMI level or lower population, will also score higher.

If your community is interested AND meets the eligibility criteria, on or before January 8, 2025, email Deb Ohlde, NCRPC Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives (communitydevelopmentadvisor@ncrpc.org). In the email, be sure to include the following:

• Community name
• Type of project you are interested in pursuing
• Best contact person including email and phone number

We look forward to helping you take the first step in making your project a reality.

The NCRPC is pleased to be partnering with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Innovation Center to provide forgivable loans to developers, builders, and/or homeowners to address increasing housing costs and appraisal gaps that present a barrier to homeownership and affordable rental housing.  The State of Kansas, Dane Hansen Foundation, and local communities will contribute $12 million over the next three years to support the construction of 240 new homes and rental properties in North Central and Northwest Kansas.

Find out more by visiting the Innovation Center.

The public is invited to join us! We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Location:
Martinelli’s Little Italy (Banquet Room)
158 S Santa Fe Ave.
Salina, KS 67401

Schedule:
5:30 p.m.  |  Social
6 p.m.  |  Dinner

Registration has closed for this event.

Keynote Address

Aaron Putze will give the keynote address at the 2024 NCRPC Banquet.

Aaron Putze is a speaker, author, and work-life coach. He also serves as Chief Officer of Strategy & Brand Management for the Iowa Soybean Association.

His keynote message will center around the concept of Stronger Together. What town, city, county, region or state doesn’t want to improve amenities, economic opportunities and quality of life for its residents? Identify a community that’s disinterested in welcoming new residents, families, businesses, health care providers and entrepreneurs? Name a geographical area that hasn’t rallied the troops to elevate economic development and tap state and national grant programs to improve recreational and environmental services? The “growth business” for regions and communities is a competitive one as many areas are vying for goals and outcomes similar to those of NCRPC! So how does one compete in such a crowded field? For starters, it’s not doing what’s always been done and expecting different results! It’s thinking outside the box, trying new things, prioritizing projects and resources, doing away with the status quo and rallying around a shared vision, mission and goal! Stronger together isn’t just a saying. It’s the essence of driving progress, connections and growth. Be inspired and encouraged as Aaron tees up powerful and relatable stories of inspiration in celebration of NCRPC’s successes and future growth and success!

NCRPC Lifetime Public Service Award

One of the highlights of this event is the announcement of the NCRPC Lifetime Public Service Award. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

• Darla Bebber, Miltonvale, Kansas
• Don Landoll, Marysville, Kansas

News Release – October 11, 2024 (PDF, 174 KB)

Congratulations to the 2024 Rural Voices Youth Contest scholarship winners!

• Noah Goss, Ellsworth High School – View the Entry
• Thaddeus Donley, Donley Ranch Schoolhouse (rural Ellsworth County) – View the Entry

About the Contest

The NCRPC sponsors the Rural Voices Youth Contest each year to engage high school seniors in North Central Kansas in thoughtful reflection on rural Kansas and to promote a discussion among citizens based on their insights. The 2023-2024 theme was “Rural Kansas…Success Through Innovation.”

Rural Kansas: Success Through Innovation

By Noah Goss

Rural Kansas residents, community leaders, and business owners have a long history of being innovative. Rural communities have produced many successful entrepreneurs and innovators, who have developed creative solutions to community problems, established unique traditions, and built successful businesses. Join me as we discuss examples of innovation and successful entrepreneurs in North Central Kansas and my community, the historical context and key figures, and discover what more can be done to encourage and support innovation in the region.

One specific example of innovative thinking in North Central Kansas is the development of the Prairie Pothole Region, a unique tradition that serves a purpose in the town of Jamestown. The Prairie Pothole Region is an area with small, shallow depressions that collect rainwater, creating a habitat for diverse wildlife and a natural filtration system for the water. In Jamestown, the community has recognized the value of preserving and enhancing these potholes and has turned them into a tourist attraction. Local residents and community leaders have worked together to create walking trails, observation platforms, and educational programs to highlight the significance of the Prairie Pothole Region. This innovative approach not only showcases the natural beauty and wildlife of the area but also provides an opportunity for tourism, which ultimately brings economic benefits to the community.

In addition to the preservation of natural resources in Kansas, residents have also been innovative in solving community problems. The town of Beloit is an example of a community that has successfully turned a great idea into a creative solution. Facing a decline in population, leaders in Beloit recognized the need to attract and retain young professionals and families. To address this challenge, they developed the “Rural Opportunity Zone” program, which provides financial incentives to individuals who relocate to designated rural counties in Kansas. The program offers student loan repayments and income tax waivers to participants, encouraging them to settle in rural areas and contribute to the local economy. This creative solution has helped to reverse the population decline in Beloit and has attracted new residents who bring valuable skills to the community(along with quality athletes to the rest of the league’s frustration).

Keeping up with the trend of innovation in North Central Kansas is the establishment of businesses by local entrepreneurs. For example, the development of PrairieLand Partners, a John Deere dealership with locations across the region. PrairieLand Partners was founded by a group of local farmers who recognized the need for reliable and modern agricultural equipment and services. They saw an opportunity to fill this gap in the market and worked with the support of the local community to establish a dealership that provides high-quality products and support to local farmers. The success of PrairieLand Partners has not only provided jobs and economic opportunities in the region but has also contributed to the efficiency and productivity of the agricultural sector. The dealership’s commitment to customer service and innovation has made it a trusted and respected business in the community. Aside from adding these benefits to the community, PrairieLand Partners has served as a strong support system for youth organizations such as the North Central District FFA. By supporting programs such as this, they are developing youth for the future.

These examples demonstrate the innovative spirit of rural Kansas residents, community leaders, and business owners, who have harnessed their creativity and resourcefulness to address local challenges and opportunities. Their efforts have had a positive impact on their communities, contributing to economic development, environmental conservation, and social well-being. However, there is always room for improvement, and more can be done to encourage and support innovation in North Central Kansas.

One way to promote innovation in the region is through investment in education and training programs that develop the skills and knowledge needed for entrepreneurial success. By providing access to quality education, rural Kansas residents can develop new ideas, start and grow successful businesses, and address community needs. Collaboration between local businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies can facilitate the development of innovative solutions and support the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders. Additionally, access to funding and resources, such as grants, loans, and business development services, can help aspiring innovators to turn their ideas into reality and contribute to economic growth.

My home community in Ellsworth has done an outstanding job in recent years in providing opportunities for youth entrepreneurs by offering educational resources along with funding for their dreams. Stacie Schmidt with “Grow Ellsworth County” has been especially innovative by recognizing the traditions and history of our cowtown while searching for ways to expand and capitalize on the great qualities of our community. By combining tradition and evolution, communities can appeal to younger families while maintaining the “small-town” vibe many search for.

Furthermore, creating a supportive environment for innovation requires the involvement and engagement of all within the community. By fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and risk-taking, rural Kansas residents, community leaders, and business owners can work together to identify opportunities, address challenges, and implement innovative solutions. Building networks and partnerships, sharing lessons learned, and celebrating successes can inspire others to pursue their own innovative ideas and contribute to the well-being of North Central Kansas. Additionally, recognizing and rewarding innovation through awards, incentives, and public recognition can encourage individuals and organizations to continue their creative efforts and promote a culture of innovation that is celebrated.

In conclusion, the history of rural Kansas is rich with examples of innovation and successful entrepreneurs who have made meaningful contributions to their communities. Whether it’s through the preservation of natural resources, the development of creative solutions, or the establishment of successful businesses, rural Kansas residents have demonstrated their ability to adapt, create, and thrive. While there have been many successes, there is still much more that can be done to encourage innovation in North Central Kansas. By promoting education and training, facilitating access to funding and resources, and fostering a culture of collaboration and recognition, rural Kansas can continue to harness the creative potential of its residents and build a vibrant and resilient future.

The Start of a Mowing Empire

By Thaddeus Donley

When I was in 5th grade, I noticed that there was a lack of teenage kids that were willing to do physical labor. Realizing that I was about to be at that age, I saw the demand for work such as raking leaves, mowing lawns, and doing odd jobs for people around town. Our town was also in need of lawn care as our lawn and landscape company had just gone out of business in the late winter of 2017. These two things are what created the spark in me to start my own mowing business in the spring of 2017.

My dad bought me a push mower to get me started, and, of course, my parents had to drive me around because I did not have a driver’s license yet. Without their help, I would not be where I am today. Not only did they drive me around, but they also helped me out with the mowing and weed eating if they did not have anything else going on. They helped me figure out billing and bookkeeping and many other things.

During my first year I obtained around five regular lawns and a few trims on other random lawns here and there. For example, the random lawns were for people while they were on vacation or simply could not get to it when it needed to be mowed at a particular time. To obtain these yards, I printed out some homemade business cards I had made. I brought them to school and started asking my teachers if they needed someone to mow their lawn.

Halfway through the summer, my brothers started helping me. My next oldest brother is two years younger than me, and my youngest brother is three years younger than me. With them being smaller than me at the time, they mainly mowed while I did the more physical work, such as weed eating.

In my second year, 2018, I mowed ten to fifteen yards consistently. We would also do some odd jobs on the side. Those jobs consisted of anything from lawn cleanups to moving stuff inside a house that an elderly person would be unable to do. Not only was the work profitable, it also helped to keep our community nice.

In 2019, my brother that is two years younger than me became a partner in our mowing business because we had grown to about twenty to twenty-five yards. While we were gaining more yards, we also had to do more and more invoices, which takes time, so it was helpful to have him as a full-time partner.

The year 2020 rolled around, and we found ourselves amid a global pandemic, so we did not know whether we would lose business or not with people being home from work. Surprisingly, the opposite happened, and we were mowing thirty-five to forty lawns consistently. Since we gained so much more business again this year, we brought our youngest brother, who is three years younger than me on as a full-time partner.

In 2021, we had obtained around forty-five to fifty lawns that we consistently mowed throughout the year. By the fall, we noticed an increase in people who wanted their leaves cleaned up other than the customers that we were already doing it for. Even though leaf cleanup is not our favorite thing to do, we bought a machine specifically to use to pick up leaves. The main reason we did this is because there are elderly people who are unable to do this for themselves. It also cleans up our community by lessening the number of leaves in people’s lawns.

Then the year 2022 rolled around, and we noticed the demand for rental houses in our community as there was a minimum, if any, that were vacant. We formed an LLC to purchase the rental house under the age of eighteen. We completed the imperative renovations to make sure we would have a quality house to offer to potential tenants.

We also consistently mowed around seventy-five to eighty lawns throughout 2022. With this many lawns, occasionally, we started hiring on contract laborers to help us out if we were behind and/or so we could get our lawns mowed more efficiently. This has proven to help other young members of our community to earn extra money and learn the value of a hard day’s work.

We continued to grow in 2023 by picking up some public utility contracts in our communities and in the surrounding communities. These contracts help to keep our community tidy. At this point, we were steadily mowing ninety to one hundred private lawns and commercial properties.

In the upcoming year we plan to keep growing to better serve our communities. For example, we plan to keep being involved in our communities’ city-wide cleanup days.

The reason I write about the business I created with my brothers is to explain that my brothers and I identified a need in our local communities. We used one of the skillsets that we have, the ability to work hard, and created a business. While growing up on a farm and ranch helped me to develop my work ethic at a young age, I think starting my own business has helped other kids around my age in my community to develop their work ethics and get jobs. Whether it be working for a farmer, working at a manufacturing business, mowing a few lawns themselves, or any other job, I would venture to say that in my community there is a much higher percentage of teenage kids working now than there was five to ten years ago.

In turn from our hard work, we were able to purchase and renovate a house. This house first caught our attention when we saw its price. It was reasonably priced, so we talked to our economic development director about the rental market in our area. She said that there was a high demand for more rental properties in our area. We decided that since it would be good for our community and a good business decision that we would purchase the house. Then we had it renovated and it is currently rented.

The creation and growth of our business truly shows that even young people can have a positive effect on their community with a little grit, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Check back in Fall 2024 for details on the 2024-2025 Rural Voices Youth Contest.

NCRPC hosted a Project Bundling Workshop in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, Build America Center, and Applied Research Associates on June 1, 2023 in Salina, Kansas. The objective of this one-day workshop was to understand practical application of project bundling between local public agencies to solve infrastructure needs.

Meeting Materials/Resources:

Agenda

Final Report – DRAFT (PDF, 6.13 MB)

This report draft highlights the NCRPC Project Bundling Workshop sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Every Day Counts round five (EDC-5) Project Bundling team. The workshop was held in-person with several virtual presentations.

North Central Regional Planning Commission has been named an awardee of two different programs offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“We are fortunate to have received both awards in a highly competitive process at the federal level,” said Debra Carlson Ohlde, NCRPC Strategic Development Advisor.

Based in Beloit, the NCRPC serves as the rural economic development district comprised of 12 counties with 83 towns in North Central Kansas.

The first award is through the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. Through its SMART Grants Program, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded tech demonstration projects across the U.S. focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.

The SMART award for North Central Kansas funds a pilot program focused on drone use to inspect transportation assets. The data gathered from the drone inspections will be integrated in a prototype GIS-based platform that catalogs local infrastructure assets for innovative data management, monitoring asset conditions, and utilizing technology to inform solutions for infrastructure management and maintenance.

“We are excited to begin work on the SMART grant with member counties and with other partners across the state,” Ohlde said. “This project will enable the NCRPC to bolster GIS capacity in the region as well as pilot a system to use drone technology to manage transportation asset inspection and data capture.”

Although this first 18-month project is a pilot and has a limited number of participating counties, there is opportunity to grow the project to the entire region in the future.

The second award is through the Thriving Communities Program, also offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This award will provide no-cost, intensive technical assistance services for NCRPC and its project partners to build resilience and better position the region to access funding for future transportation projects. The project is anticipated to get underway in late spring/early summer and continue through 2025.

“The application to the Thriving Communities program was a natural fit for the NCRPC,” Ohlde said. “We have always tried to engage our region in new programs and this one offers the opportunity to learn from other similar regions and to access additional technical support for our counties. It is challenging for rural areas to capitalize on federal funding programs and we know we will be better able to do that as an organization and region through this opportunity.”

Zoom Session Resources

NCRPC recently hosted a virtual Community Connection event to share more about the organization and funding opportunities.

April 12, 2023  |  Zoom Recording (MP4, 820 MB – 1:03:35)

Presentation Slides – PDF, 791 KB

Background

A virtual NCRPC Community Connection event April 12, 2023 gave stakeholders in the region another opportunity to hear about the latest in grant funding opportunities.

Two in-person events took place in Beloit and Ellsworth earlier in March.

“We had great feedback from those who participated in our previous Community Connection events and we wanted to make that information available to others in the region who were not able to attend,” said NCRPC Strategic Development Advisor Deb Ohlde.

In addition to discussing funding options, there was conversation about how North Central Regional Planning Commission can partner with local communities and organizations to help them achieve goals.

The NCRPC provides assistance to a variety of sectors including cities, counties, non-profits, rural water districts, schools, small businesses and entrepreneurs.