Sumner County Economic Development Commission

05/23/2026

Sumner County Economic Development’s office will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

05/15/2026

A healthy community will always have its fair share of pessimists and bullies, but in a strong civic culture, they are just a background noise in a sea of positive voices. They may pipe up from time to time, but they don’t dominate the conversation. It’s only when things go awry that they seize the moment to do whatever the opposite of shine is.

These civic bullies aren’t the real problem; they’ve always been there and always will be. The problem is when everyone else slinks away and gets quiet.

Civic bullies are like any other bullies, they thrive only when they’re allowed to. They fill the void when things go wrong. They grab the mic when no one else wants it, then act like they’re the only ones who can hold it. But like every other type of bully, they shrink in the face of strength.

We don’t need to eradicate these people. though that does sound tempting. We simply need to be willing to stand up to them. And here’s the secret that makes this entirely possible: Nearly no one
agrees with them. They are a minority, though a loud-ass minority. They are louder than everyone else because most of us don’t like to be loud. Most of us don’t enjoy indulging in pessimism. Most of us try to avoid conflict. But these maniacs revel in it.

One of the best lessons I’ve learned in dealing with civic bullies came from Ryan Fairchild, owner of Dry Lake Brewing in Great Bend, Kansas. A few years ago, he explained how he helped create the Positive Social Response Team when the comments section in local discussions became inundated with negativity. When the civic bat signal went out via text or email, everyone on the list would jump in with positive and supportive comments. Eventually, the bullies lost
their pulpit and receded into the background. When no one listens to a bully, the bully doesn’t have much to say.

The lesson is this: Bullies will always exist, but their voice is only heard when no one else is willing to talk. The goal isn’t to out-shout them. The goal is to get the rest of the community to say something.

When the vast, and all-too-silent, majority finds its voice, the bullies will lose theirs. If this work has taught me anything, it’s that nearly everyone is positive, helpful, supportive, civic-minded, kind, caring, and non-confrontational.

We don’t have to fight the bullies.

We just need to encourage the rest to speak up.

05/03/2026

Our office will be closed this week (May 4th - May 8th) as the Sumner County Economic Development team attends the SelectUSA Investment Summit. This important event allows us to connect with industry leaders and bring new opportunities back to our community.

During this time, the Workforce Alliance will remain open and available during their regularly scheduled hours to assist you.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to strengthen economic growth in Sumner County!

04/22/2026

📣 Grant Opportunity Now Open for Child Care Providers! 💛

SCEDC is pleased to announce a Child Care Zone Mini-Grant opportunity available to providers across Cowley, Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery, and Sumner counties. If you’re a child care provider—or know someone who is—this funding is designed to support, strengthen, and sustain your important work.

💰 Available Grants:
✔️ $1,000 Refresh Grants
For providers licensed 1+ year serving at least 2 infants or 5 children
Use for toys, safety upgrades, or materials

✔️ $1,000 Startup Grants
For individuals opening a new child care program
Helps cover startup costs like furniture, safety items, and includes professional books

✔️ $500 Sub Pool Grants
Supports substitute providers by covering background checks and CPR training—so you can take a much-needed break

📝 How to Apply:

1️⃣ Attend or register for a Conscious Discipline training
(Example: May 30 in Wellington)

2️⃣ Complete the short application form
(Simple and quick—just basic info and your needs)

3️⃣ Application review
Our team will review and respond promptly

4️⃣ Sign electronically
Approved applicants will receive a DocuSign—no printing required

5️⃣ Receive funding 💵
Use the funds to support your program right away

⏳ Don’t wait—funding is limited and available now!

👉 Visit the Mini-Grant page to apply and learn more
https://www.legacyregionalfoundation.org/home/our-vision/child-care-zone/childcare-mini-grants

👉 Please share this opportunity with other providers in your community

📧 Questions or need help applying?
Email: [email protected]
📞 Call: 620-221-7224

Together, we’re investing in stronger child care for our families and communities.

Funding to help launching a new venture or refresh your existing business...

04/15/2026

Check this out!!

04/08/2026

What a great way to celebrate a week!!

Community Development Week in Kansas is here!

From housing to high-speed internet, community development powers every corner of our state.

This week, we’re celebrating the people and projects building stronger Kansas communities. Drop a 🌻 in the comments if you love where you live!

03/30/2026

We were honored to welcome Lt. Governor Toland to AAR in Wellington today!

His visit highlighted the powerful impact that strategic partnerships can have on growing local economies and strengthening communities. AAR’s continued investment in Wellington is a testament to what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared vision for opportunity and progress.

We’re especially grateful for the strong collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Sumner County Economic Development, and the City of Wellington. These partnerships play a critical role in supporting business expansion, job creation, and long-term success for our region.

Wellington is on the move—and it’s partnerships like these that keep the momentum going

03/24/2026

We’re proud to be one of five counties participating in the Child Care Zone Grant, working together to strengthen early childhood care across our region! 💛

Alongside Cowley, Chautauqua, Elk, and Montgomery counties, we are investing in opportunities that support both families and child care providers—because strong communities start with strong foundations.

One exciting opportunity coming up is FREE Conscious Discipline Training (Part 2 of a 4-part series)! This session focuses on building classroom environments where children feel safe, connected, and ready to learn—while developing self-control, kindness, and teamwork.

📅 April 4, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Community Elementary School, Coffeyville
🎓 Eligible for 6 CEU hours
🍴 Lunch provided
💲 Limited stipends available

Whether you attend one session or the full series, this is a valuable training for anyone working with young children.

👉 Sign up by April 1 using the QR code on the flyer!

Together, we’re creating brighter futures for children and families across south central Kansas.

03/12/2026

Friendly Reminder from Sumner County Economic Development Commission

We’ve received a few questions recently about potential data center development in Sumner County, so we wanted to share a quick update.

What we know today:

✔ No data center is currently being built in Sumner County
✔ No rezoning request has been submitted for a data center project

Like many communities, Sumner County occasionally receives early inquiries from companies exploring possible locations. These inquiries are a normal part of economic development and do not mean a project is planned or coming to the community.

To help answer common questions, the Kansas Department of Commerce has released a Data Center Myth vs. Fact guide that addresses topics like water use, electricity, noise, and community impacts. I have included the Fact Guide in this post for your review.

We appreciate the community’s interest and encourage everyone to stay informed using trusted information. If any project were ever formally proposed, it would go through public processes and local review before moving forward.

— Stacy Davis, Executive Director
Sumner County Economic Development Commission

02/24/2026

We’re proud to share some exciting news for Sumner County!

Sumner County Economic Development has been selected as a SelectUSA Invest in Rural America Award Recipient and will be attending the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit, May 3–5, 2026.

is the federal program focused on promoting and facilitating business investment in the United States, and the Investment Summit is its premier annual event bringing together leaders, investors, and communities from across the country and around the world.

This recognition places Sumner County on a national stage highlighting the strength and potential of rural America. It reflects the power of partnership — locally, regionally, and at the state level.

We are especially grateful to the Kansas Department of Commerce for their leadership and support, which played a key role in our selection.

We are honored to represent Sumner County and rural Kansas at the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit — and proud of what collaboration can accomplish.