Republic County Economic Development Corporation
Board of Directors:
*Jimmie Blecha– Chairman
*Mikel Hadachek – Vice Chairman
*Randy Wise – Secretary
*Randy Hansen
*Randy Nelson
*Tom Lesovsky
*Mike Gritten
*David-Paul Cavasos
*Kim Lapo
*Matt Dowell
Adam Anderson (ex oficio)
The Republic County Economic Development Office is located at
314 Main Street in Courtland, Kansas 66939
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 178
Belleville, KS 66935
Contact the Economic Development Coordinator at 785-374-3047 or rced (at) nckcn.com
About
The Republic County Economic Development Corporation provides a wide range of resources & services to all towns in Republic County. This office primarily focuses on but is not limited to business recruiting & development, support for economic/business retention development, rural tourism, marketing, management of economic development proposals & contracts, Community Development Block Grant management/housing rehabilitation, & staff support for the Republic County Economic Development Corporation, City Officials, & to the Board of Republic County Commissioners.
Services
Advocacy & Public Policy
- Business Issues Related to a Specific City
- Community Involvement
- Contractors Issues
- Kansas Business Issues
- Small Business Issues
Business Planning
- Business Plan Consulting & Development
- Census Data
- Market Plan Development
- Market Research
Economic & Property Development
- Consulting
- Economic Forecast
- Environmental Management Systems
- Revitalization
- Site Location Assistance
- State Tax Credit and Assistance
Financial Resources & Assistance
- Assistance in Finding Debt Funding
- Assistance in Finding Equity Funding
- Assistance in Finding Government Funding
- Equity Providers
- Loan Providers
Libraries & Research Organizations
- Business Research Resources
Management Issues & Training
- Recruiting Assistance
Marketing
- Advertising
- Distribution
Networking Organizations
- Home Based
Nonprofit Development
- Board Development
- Strategic Planning
Office, Laboratory & Meeting Space
- Conference/Meeting Space
- Event Facilities
- Incubator Space
- Office Equipment & Furniture
- Office Space
- Retail Space
Regulatory Compliance
- Advising
- Bonding
- Codes
- Environmental Compliance Assistance
- Government Requirements
- Insurance Requirments
- International Regulatory Compliance
- Licenses
- Patent Information
- Permits
- Trademark & Copyright Information
Training
- Topics Related to Developing & Maintaining a Small Business
HISTORY
Republic County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) was formed in 1999 to help improve the economic diversity of Republic County. RCEDC was created by an interlocal agreement between the Republic County Commission and the City of Belleville.
RCEDC offers numerous services and resources including business recruitment and retention work, financial resources, site location selection assistance, marketing assistance, state resources and incentives, employment assistance as well as employee training resources.
The need for a broad range of skills, information, and finance in many economic development projects has led to the need of a new organizational structure. RCEDC is taking steps to become a public-private partnership. A public-private partnership is an organization model with funding sources from public sources such as government entities, private sources such as businesses, industry and individuals, as well as grants. Public-private partnerships act as a strong voice for the interests of local businesses, while also possessing immediate access to the highest levels of local government. These organizations have greater flexibility than the public sector to conduct economic development activities.
The local governments, private businesses and citizens will come together, forming a non-profit organization with the aim of undertaking economic development efforts, promoting sustainable business, improving workforce development, diversifying the economic base of a region, and improving the quality of life.
RCEDC currently has a nine-member board of directors to carry out the day-to-day decision duties of the organization in addition to a 16 member voting committee that meets quarterly to set policy. The new structure will utilize the current board, which includes a Republic County Commissioner and public officials from all municipalities in the county, in a collaborative effort that leads toward more rational allocation of both public and private sector resources.
JenRus Freelance was contracted to direct the office duties of RCED in October of 2010 and continues to serve Republic County. Luke Mahin serves as executive director and Jenny Russell serves as an advisor.