Office of Rural Prosperity

05/29/2026

Ready to connect, learn, and grow? 🌱 Join us in Courtland, Kansas, June 25-26 for the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference!

Explore workshops designed for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and small business champions—all happening right inside Courtland's downtown businesses and venues.

Early registration has been extended through June 5 and is just $175. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by rural innovation in action!

Register Here: https://extension.k-state.edu/program-areas/supporting-communities/cec/

Did you know that Courtland is also home to two HEAL grant projects? Heartland Gamebirds successfully completed its HEAL 1.0 project and the HEAL 4.0 coffee shop project is currently underway.

Welcome Video: https://youtu.be/YauF4rR660I?si=f7MXg46YqZO3hqVD

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05/29/2026

In case you missed it — today’s Office of Rural Prosperity e-newsletter is out now!

From funding opportunities to statewide updates, this edition is packed with information for rural Kansans.

Catch up here ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4u3jzIE

05/29/2026

Big update for rural Kansas 🎉

KDHE is investing $79.1M through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, supporting 39 organizations across the state to strengthen rural health care access and infrastructure.
This means:

• Keeping rural hospitals and clinics open and stable
• Expanding access to preventive and everyday care
• Strengthening the rural health care workforce
• Supporting more innovative, modern care delivery

Across Kansas, this investment has one clear focus: making sure where you live doesn’t determine the care you get.

Rural health isn’t a talking point—it’s being built.

More info: kdhe.ks.gov

05/29/2026

Great sights across the Sunflower State! 🤩 Have you submitted your guess on where these photos were taken? Go to the original post below and comment your guesses. ⤵️

05/29/2026

Help Lane County celebrate the opening of this community grocery store in June!

Proud that the Rural Champions program could play a part in this project. Well done, Lane County! 👏its

🛒🎉 It’s almost time, Lane County!

Join us Saturday, June 27, 2026, as we celebrate the Grand Opening of Lane Co Community Grocery Store! Doors open at 7:00 AM, with complimentary breakfast, a ribbon cutting ceremony, raffles, drawings, and free gifts for the first 250 customers.

This store was built for our community, because of our community. We can’t wait to welcome you in and celebrate this milestone together! 🛒💚

Here for you. Here to stay.

05/27/2026

Grant deadline fast approaching!

There is only a week, and a half left to apply for the Historic Preservation Fund Grant! Applications due Friday June 5th! Hurry and apply on our website before it's too late! https://www.kansashistory.gov/14615

05/27/2026

Check out this opportunity to get outside and explore Kansas more this summer!

Website Construction Zone Our new website is live, but you may see a few areas in transition as we continue organizing and updating content. Site search will be limited at first while Google updates its index, but results will improve over time. If you’re looking for a quick starting point, try t...

05/27/2026

We know you love local businesses in your community. 💛 Show your favorite business some love by nominating them for the 2026 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards!

A statewide grand banquet and much more to celebrate in 2026. The Department of Commerce will host a Statewide Awards Banquet on October 8 in Overland Park. Who will be named the best of the best in 11 different categories? That’s up to you! It’s time to nominate the company, organization or ind...

05/27/2026

Applications are still open for the newest round of Opportunity Zones (OZ) funding.

If you have a vision for a community project and are ready to bring it to reality — look no further and wait no longer.

But hurry — deadline for nominations is June 1.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4wysEf3

05/22/2026

Happy Memorial Day weekend from the Office of Rural Prosperity!

We hope you have a fun and safe holiday weekend with family and friends. Please note our office will be closed Monday, May 25, and will reopen Tuesday during regular business hours.