The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation held its Annual Meeting virtually earlier this month. The video highlighted the accomplishments of the organization in 2020, especially its achievements with the Pottawatomie County Commission and its administrative staff in grant CARES funds and Community Development Block Grant funds.
Working with the county, PCEDC assisted with approximately $920,000 in grants and loans impacting 360 jobs with $310,000 targeted to a child care center and another $87,000 toward senior living, two industries hit extremely hard by COVID-19. In addition, the staff completed 40 mass emails to small businesses and human resource directors, and achieved quadruple maintenance status from ACT’s Work Ready program, only the 2nd county in the nation to achieve that designation.
In the Annual Meeting Video, recognition and awards went to several small businesses that took out E-Community Loans through Network Kansas. Those businesses were: Natural Choice Company of St. Marys, Blue Sky Hospitality (Simmer Motel), Rising Phoenix Wellness, Brilliant Beginnings, and Viva La Fiesta all in Wamego. The project of the year went to 456 Wineries, a wine incubator through Highland Community College, which had three new wineries locate inside its building during COVID. 456 Wineries also acknowledged Mr. Clark Balderson for his vision and leadership in bringing wineries to the Kaw Valley.
In addition, PCEDC recognized outgoing board members: Charles R. White, Chairman of the Bank of Flint Hills, and Chris Eichman of Midwest Concrete Materials. New board members are Mike Drippe’ of Drippe’ Homes, Tim Winter, Superintendent of USD 320 and Patrick Schutter of BHS Construction.