Economic Development Alliance meets to close the year
December 17, 2025
Members of the Thomas County Economic Development Alliance met Dec. 17 to conduct regular business and review several ongoing and emerging initiatives tied to housing, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial planning.
The meeting opened with routine business, including approval of the agenda, minutes from November, and financials. While the Alliance’s accounts currently reflect a positive position, leadership cautioned that adjustments are expected before the end of the calendar year to ensure balances align with projections. November city sales tax receipts totaled $15,160.80.
In the director’s report, members discussed plans for upcoming meetings and programming. The Alliance accepted an invitation to hold a future meeting at Center Pivot Brewery, reflecting continued efforts to engage local businesses and highlight new economic activity in the community.
One of the most notable discussions centered on the potential return of the Alliance’s pitch competition, which has not been held since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, historically limited to Thomas County, is now being explored as a regional competition encompassing up to nine northwest Kansas counties. Funding for the competition would be supported through Network Kansas, allowing the Alliance to expand participation without drawing heavily on local funds.
In previous years, the pitch competition awarded a $5,000 cash prize to the first-place finisher, along with donated services and products intended to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses. The competition follows a “Shark Tank”-style format, with participants presenting their ideas before a panel of judges, many of whom were intentionally selected from outside the county to avoid conflicts of interest. While no date has been set for the revived competition, Alliance leadership indicated interest in hosting the event on a weekend to make travel easier for regional participants.
Housing initiatives also remained a priority topic. The Alliance reported that the first grant through the Northwest Kansas Housing Cooperative Program has been awarded to a Thomas County resident, marking a milestone for the program.
Concerns were raised regarding the use of remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds. Alliance leaders acknowledged ongoing challenges in deploying those dollars and noted the risk of losing funds if they are not spent by the Dec. 31, 2026 deadline. Potential alternatives, including redirecting funds toward eligible workforce or emergency services uses, were discussed as a way to avoid forfeiture.
The Alliance also provided an update on its land bank and housing redevelopment efforts. Outreach continues with owners of dilapidated or underutilized properties, though responses have been mixed, with many owners requesting more time to consider options. City and county officials are continuing to apply pressure where necessary to address nuisance properties and encourage redevelopment.
Additional updates included a health insurance renewal for Alliance employees. The initial renewal rate of 7.5 percent was reduced to approximately 3.5 percent after participation in a state wellness and preventive care program. While future increases are still expected, officials said the adjustment provided meaningful short-term savings.
As the year draws to a close, the Alliance reviewed its budget outlook. Leadership indicated finances are expected to be tight, with projections showing the potential to end the year slightly in the red. To address this, members approved reallocating funds and discussed using allocated interest revenues to cover remaining expenses.
The Alliance concluded the meeting by approving its 2026 meeting dates before adjourning.