About RCED

Republic County Economic Development Corporation

The RCED board is made up of twelve voting members. Three voting members from each of the three Republic County Commissioner Districts and one member appointed by the Republic County Commissioners, one by City of Belleville and one at large position.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

*Jimmie Blecha – Munden – Chairman
*Mike Gritten – Scandia – Pike Valley USD #426  – Vice Chairman
*Mikel Hadachek – Belleville – Astra Bank – Secretary

*Dan Kelly – Belleville – Republic County Hospital
*Larry Lyder – Belleville – USD #109
*Matt Dowell – Cuba
*David Douglas – Courtland
*Edwin Splichal – Munden – Republic County Commission Chairman
*Randy Hansen – Belleville
*Tom Lesovsky – Cuba 
*Adam Robertson – Mayor of Belleville
*Jeff Thompson – Scandia
Adam Anderson  – Belleville City Manager (ex officio)

Luke Mahin – Director
Jenny Russell – Advisor

The Republic County Economic Development Office is located at
301 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

Republic County Economic Development Corporation assists the county to prepare for new businesses as well as retaining existing businesses. In addition, the corporation also assists the county with community development & tourism.

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.