Newsletter - September 2022 Edition |
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- PRIDE Community Happenings
- Reminder: Deadline for Grants/Awards Applications is September 1
- Rural Grocery Succession Planning - Part 2
- Program Partners: New Faces
- Sponsor Highlight: Kansas Rural Water Association
- Continuing Opportunities Section
- External Funding Resources
- 2021-22 Annual Review
- Up for a Community Visit? We Are, Too!
- Catch Us on Facebook & Facebook Live!
- K-State Garden Hour August Schedule
- Events Calendar
- Ways to Support Kansas PRIDE
- 2022 Kansas PRIDE Communities
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PRIDE Community Happenings |
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Lecompton Community PRIDE let us know that they've completed some work around their gazebo as they prepare for their first outdoor wedding. They've also been busy supporting ball field clean up day and working Lecompton Territorial Days (with an art and quilting show held in the Lecompton Community PRIDE Building).
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Russell PRIDE sent in an update on their Volunteers Impact PRIDE grant project, along with a cool drone photo. The project is a splash pad and it's a joint venture project between Russell PRIDE, the Russell County Historical Society, Russell Rotary Club, City of Russell, and Russell Main Street, Inc. We're looking forward to seeing the end result!
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I (Jan) had a great time at the Alton Jubilee recently. After presenting Alton PRIDE with their Community of Excellence sign, two Project Excellence awards, and helping to honor Tony Dibble as Alton's Rising Star for 2022, it was on to the parade. Great food, great events, and wonderful people excited to share their history and pride. Thanks for the invite and for putting on an awesome event! You can view more photos and happenings on the Alton Jubilee Facebook page. (Photo courtesy of Alton PRIDE/Alton Jubilee).
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Reminder: Deadline for Grants/Awards Applications is September 1
Interested in applying for grants or awards this fall? You can see our full write-up in the July 2022 newsletter
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Rural Grocery Succession Planning - Webinar Series, Part 2
Succession planning is a crucial part of any business plan. In the world of grocery, it helps ensure communities maintain access to food, even after an owner exits the business.
What are the characteristics of various grocery ownership models, and how do communities decide the right fit? Join us to discuss these questions and more.
Upcoming webinar topics include:
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September 15: Worker-owned grocery stores
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October 20: Grocery-municipal partnerships
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November 17: School-owned and nonprofit grocery stores
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December 15: Webinar series recap and final takeaways
Join us! Register today for Part Two of the Rural Grocery Succession Planning Webinar Series!
Part One of the Rural Grocery Succession Planning Webinar series (January – May) covered numerous “nuts and bolts” considerations of business transition planning, including business valuation, finding a successor, building value, and more. All recordings are available online including August's Member Cooperative Grocery Stores session. Recordings of last year’s “Keeping Groceries Alive” webinar series are also available online.
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Program Partners: New Faces
We're excited to let you know about a few new people you'll be seeing more from in the near future. Welcome to Sara Bloom and Elizabeth Heron, Community Development Specialists with the Kansas Department of Commerce, and Deborah Kohl, Community Vitality Specialist with K-State Research and Extension. They're available to help so be sure to reach out if you have a need.
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Sara Bloom is a Community Development Specialist for the Kansas State Department of Commerce. In her role, she coordinates both the Community Service Tax Credit and Individual Development Account Tax Credit programs, while proactively engaging with communities across the state to address community asset opportunities for childcare, youth development, and community development. Bloom provides specialized skills in community engagement, project planning, project management, and evaluation of communities, working with the resources of Community Development and Commerce.
She received her bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State University in Communications but her past boasts a background in everything from marketing, journalism, sales, graphic design, and economic development. Bloom's path has never been a boring one and she’s had many unique positions including TV News Producer for a major metropolitan station and even Yellow Page Telephone Sales. She is an award-winning Graphic Designer winning the 2015 MARCOM Gold Award. She was recognized by the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2017 Rising Star in recognition of leadership and service within their profession and the community. Currently, she is a part of the Leadership Kansas 2022 class. No matter her location or position Sara has always been community and outreach minded. It’s never just about the job but how she can make a difference in the world around her.
At home, Bloom enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years, Kael, a pastor at Celebration Community Church in Hays, and three young children, Isaac (14), Judah (10), and Kadance (7). Her hobbies include reading, motorcycles, Cardinals baseball, and playing the cello. She is active on several different community boards and within her church.
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Deborah Kohl joined the KSRE Community Vitality team in August as a State Specialist. For the last 10 years Deborah served with K-State's Master of Agribusiness program, developing domestic and international leaders in agribusiness through graduate education. In this role her perspective on community expanded as a result of the opportunity to travel extensively to learn more about food, agriculture, and animal health across the globe. All of the students in the MAB program work full time in production, education, government, and industry, and taught Deborah a great deal about developing professional coalitions, best workplace training practices, and workforce development.
Prior to her work with the MAB program, Deborah's experience in community development was rooted in the multi-cultural community of Jardine Apartments at K-State. During her time as Community Development Coordinator, she led needs assessments, site visits, visioning sessions, training, and education. Deborah is a certified project management associate, completing a graduate certificate at the University of Kansas in 2021; and, holds a Master's from Kansas State University and a Bachelor's degree from Emporia State University. Gardening, landscaping, and a daily commute on her e-bike provide opportunities to be in nature and reset. Her work with facilitation, workforce development, and placemaking is inspired by her four children, ranging in age from 13-21, who ask hard questions about their communities and expect growth in the state of Kansas. Deborah's office phone hasn't been set up yet, but you can reach her now via email at dkohl@ksu.edu.
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Liz Heron is a Placemaking Community Development Specialist for the Kansas Department of Commerce. Her role is developing placemaking strategies and supporting projects across Kansas. Liz is an urban planner with a focus on housing, data, and facilitation/engagement. She has a passion for working with people in communities to creatively build a shared vision for public spaces that nurture a sense of pride and ownership.
Prior to joining Commerce, she interned with a private planning consultant firm and a local municipality developing comprehensive plans, housing studies, and engagement strategies for Iowa communities. Liz was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, and recently relocated to Manhattan with her husband and son. She graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Community and Regional Planning, followed by an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa where she concentrated on housing and community development. Her background is focused on data analysis, community engagement, and strategic planning. In her free time, Liz is exploring parks and restaurants, cooking new dishes, and spending time with her friends and family. Liz can be reached at elizabeth.heron@ks.gov or 785-496-0978.
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Sponsor Highlight: Kansas Rural Water Association
This month we'd like to highlight long-time Kansas PRIDE sponsor the Kansas Rural Water Association. Kansas Rural Water Association "provides education and leadership necessary to enhance the effectiveness of Kansas' water and wastewater utilities." Training, technical assistance, technology, information, and partnerships are just some of the ways they are there to bring results to to cities, investor-owned utilities, and rural water districts. They also realize the importance of volunteers improving the quality of life across the state through the Kansas PRIDE program. Thanks to KRWA for your continued support! You can read more about them by clicking here - and if you're attending KRWA's 2023 annual conference be sure to find us at the Kansas PRIDE booth to say hello!
The Kansas PRIDE Program uses no state or federal dollars to fund community projects or recognition. Sponsors support communities participating in the program by helping to fund grants and awards and have the opportunity to serve on the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. board of directors. It’s not just the communities that benefit – the sponsors get a lot out of it, too! To see how your company's or organization's support can benefit communities throughout the state, visit our Sponsors and Sponsorship page to find out how to donate.
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CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES SECTION |
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From K-State Research and Extension
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS
K-State Research and Extension Grant-writing workshops are now online. The online workshop is designed to be presented to participants in two 3-hour courses and will cost $60. Local Extension agents are the hosts for the workshops, but since workshops are online, you can attend any workshop in the state. There are two ways to participate: go to our website (https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/community/) and under "Events" on the right side you can register at a scheduled workshop or ask your local extension agent to host. For more information, contact Nancy Daniels: nkdaniels@ksu.edu
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FIRST FRIDAY E-CALLS
K-State Research and Extension offers entrepreneurship webinars every first Friday of the month. Visit our Webpage for all past sessions. Registration information for upcoming sessions can be found HERE.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Ever wonder what people visiting your town think? First impressions are important as the community works to improve the overall quality of life and develop its sense of place. Interested in First Impressions for your community? Visit our Webpage to learn more.
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External Funding Opportunities |
Want to put your new grant writing skills to use? Here are some opportunities for project funding outside of the Kansas PRIDE grants:
PeopleForBikes has simplified its grant process with just one annual cycle and removal of the "Letter of Intent" requirement. If you're seeking funding for a project that makes bicycling better in your community, fill out their easy application online by October 31st. They've funded more than 400 grants in all 50 states over the years. See the grant recipient list on the linked page for some ideas of what they fund. In addition to the application, you can find links to other potential funding sources: https://www.peopleforbikes.org/grants
The Quadratec Cares "Energize the Environment" grant program has $3,500 environmental grants - one in the spring, one in the fall, to individuals or groups currently pursuing a program or initiative designed to benefit the environment. What type of programs? Trail building or restoration, park beautification, litter prevention, and more. The spring round grant deadline is coming up on October 30th. You can find out more about the grant here: https://www.quadratec.com/page/quadratec-cares-grant-program
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Recreational Trails Grant application deadline is November 15th. On the site is a helpful guide and the application itself for you to determine whether your group or your project would be eligible. Click the link to find the details you need: https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/Grants
Be sure to take a look at Kansas Department of Commerce's TEFFI Seed Grants for economic revitalization in communities under 5,000 population. The application period is open from August 29th through September 30th. Application and eligibility information is available on the Kansas Department of Commerce website: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/seedgrants/
Additional Funding Resources
Is your Kansas PRIDE community looking for funding to help with certain projects? Let us know what the project is, how much you're seeking, and what your timeline looks like. We have access to a grants database and likely can give you some links to potential funding sources. Just email us at PRIDE@ksu.edu with your request and project idea.
Not a Kansas PRIDE community? This resource is a great reason to join! You can also reach out to your local Extension office which should have access to the database as well. - Jan Steen, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, jmsteen@ksu.edu
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The 2021-2022 Kansas PRIDE Annual Review is now online in PDF format. You can view it by clicking on the cover image, or through the link below. A limited number of print copies are also available. Let us know if you need one!
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Up for a Virtual, or in Person, Community Visit? We Are, Too! |
Our offer at the end of each newsletter is to engage your community remotely, or in person!
Our model has changed slightly - we prefer virtual for initial steps as our introduction videos can be shared widely throughout the community. We would be more than happy to host a Zoom meeting where your PRIDE group members, city council members, chamber participants, Masonic Lodge, or other groups could individually log in to see the presentation or discussion and ask questions. In person is a great way to get assessments or other community planning done, and we are happy to do a survey read out as a neutral party, or help you through a Strategic Doing session. Just e-mail us at PRIDE@ksu.edu to set up a schedule.
To view pre-recorded webinars giving an introduction to the program, step-by-step instructions on how to enroll or report, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, and more, head over to our Education page for more. Keep your eye on that page, as we will be updating our Toolkit soon! - Jan Steen and Jaime Menon, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinators, PRIDE@ksu.edu
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We often post items of interest on our Facebook page between newsletters. Grants, volunteer training, project ideas, and even the occasional Live stream will pop up. Click the button below to like and follow the program activity there: |
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Quarterly Report Dates:
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January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, October 15th
Awards Deadlines:
Office Closed:
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Ways to Support Kansas PRIDE |
Would you like to support communities' efforts to improve the quality of life across Kansas? Companies/organizations can sponsor the program and have the option to serve on the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. board of directors. KPI also accepts individual donations or you can contribute by using the Amazon Smile link here should you do any online shopping. Support your local merchants first, of course!
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2022 Kansas PRIDE Communities
The following communities are currently enrolled in the Kansas PRIDE program for the 2022 program year. To enroll your community visit our Enrollment and Reporting page and click on the light blue "Enroll" button to get started.
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- Admire
- Alton
- Anthony
- Arlington
- Ashland
- Assaria
- Axtell
- Basehor
- Belleville
- Blue Rapids
- Burden
- Bushton
- Caldwell
- Caney
- Clifton
- Columbus
- Conway Springs
- Courtland
- Delia
- Dover
- Dwight
- Elk City
- Ellis
- Erie
- Florence
- Fort Scott
- Glasco
- Grainfield
- Grinnell
- Harper
- Haysville
- Herndon
- Highland
- Hugoton
- Humboldt
- Independence
- Iola
- Kinsley
- La Harpe
- Lakin
- Larned
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- Lecompton
- Leon
- Leonardville
- Lewis
- Lincoln
- Lucas
- Luray
- Macksville
- Marion
- McFarland
- Melvern
- Moran
- Mount Hope
- Newton
- Norton
- Olsburg
- Osawatomie
- Overbrook
- Ozawkie
- Perry
- Portis
- Potwin
- Quenemo
- Randolph
- Riley
- Riverton
- Rossville
- Rozel
- Russell
- Saint George
- Savonburg
- Scranton
- Silver Lake
- South Central Neighborhood (Wichita)
- Stockton
- Toronto
- Vermillion
- Wakefield
- Wilson
- Yates Center
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