Rice County Economic Development

06/01/2026

Exciting to see the updates to this amazing space, and adding a bunker for Clarence the Rabbit! 🐇

A new mural in Bushton was completed just prior to Memorial Day and honors hometown military leader Lt. General Clarence R. Huebner. Born and raised near Bushton, Huebner served with distinction in both World Wars and commanded the famed “Big Red One” during the Normandy landings of WWII.
The mural, painted by local artist Nancy Swain through a TAPS grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, provides a colorful home for “Clarence,” one of the Rabbits of Rice County sculptures located at Windy Acres Pocket Park in Bushton.
Stop by, learn a little local history, and snap a photo with Clarence! 🇺🇸🐇

05/31/2026

👽 Kansas’ Best Kept Secret?

🛸 UFO Day is landing June 27 | 10am

Aliens. Sightings. Experts. Vendors.

📍 Geneseo City Museum, KS

The truth is out there… and apparently it’s in Kansas.

05/30/2026

👽🛸

05/27/2026

💙💙

We still have a few advertising spots available on our newly designed and soon-to-be printed Rice County Tourism brochure!

This brochure will be distributed to travel centers across the state, and potentially beyond, helping put Rice County businesses directly in front of visitors as they plan their travels.

We’re looking to feature local businesses that are a great fit for tourism, places that help tell the story of Rice County and make sense as visitor stops along the way.

This will also be an annual opportunity, with the option to renew or repurchase advertising space in future editions if interested.

If your business would be a great addition or you’d like more information, please reach out! We’d love to connect and share details with you.

05/27/2026

Such a cool project!

We chose Preservation Month to feature David and Kristi Wilson, who have been on a twenty year journey to bring back the historic Shay building on a prominent corner of Sterling Kansas Main Street. They have been methodically rehabbing the outside and first floor of the building using historic tax credits and preservation grants. The ROOMS grant program finally allowed them to do a whole building fire suppression system and begin tackling rehabbing apartments on the second floor. The first three apartments that are nearing completion are part of the ROOMS grant and they plan to move into one of those apartments while completing the fourth apartment. They will ultimately move into the fourth and final apartment when the last phase of work is complete.

05/27/2026

We hope to see you there!
Please register so we can count you for food!

05/26/2026

Don’t forget to RSVP so we can count you in our food order!

Rice County business owners, this one’s for you 🌱🚀

Free summit, real tools, local connections, and Hines BBQ lunch. Don’t miss it.

RSVP now: https://bit.ly/RiceCountyBusinesses

05/22/2026

🤠✨ HIDDEN GEM ALERT ✨🤠

Saddled up behind the Celebration Centre in Lyons, you’ll find one of Rice County’s tastiest hidden treasures, Casual Corner Carry Out inside the Bar K Bar Arena. 🐴🍔

Serving up fresh, homestyle meals every Thursday and Friday, this western-style hidden gem is worth tracking down. Whether you’re headed to the arena, passing through town, or just craving a good meal without the fuss, Casual Corner delivers comfort food with small-town charm. 🌾

It may be tucked away behind the barns and arena gates, but locals know, some of the best spots are off the beaten path. 🤎

📍1145 US-56, Lyons, KS
📅 Open Thursdays & Fridays

Good food, western roots, and hometown hospitality. 💎

05/22/2026

Rice County business owners, this one’s for you 🌱🚀

Free summit, real tools, local connections, and Hines BBQ lunch. Don’t miss it.

RSVP now: https://bit.ly/RiceCountyBusinesses