The Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation (LCEDF) hosted the first #LiveLincolnCounty Photo Contest in 2019, and accepted over 130 photo submissions from local amateur photographers. The purpose of the contest was to positively promote quality of life in Lincoln County, Kansas. Announcing the 2019 #LiveLincolnCounty Photo Contest winners. (Photo by one of our locals – Allison Johnson)
Lincoln County is a wonderful place to live and do business but we know we aren’t perfect. We struggle with vacant and dilapidated properties like so many other communities around the state and country. Nearly 25 percent of all our housing units are vacant, a number that has been creeping up for quite some time. …
Both the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln County Commission have commercial properties available at no cost to businesses who would like to start up or expand. The properties vary in size from approx. 3-40 acres and are either developed (with utilities to the site) or undeveloped (without utilities to the site). Businesses must submit …
Large and historic home in Lincoln, KS, must be moved to a new location to be saved from demolition! Built in approx. 1910, this beautiful Dutch Colonial house is in MUCH better shape than the street view would suggest. The first floor has a large living room with original fireplace, dining room, kitchen and …
The event, which was March 5, 2019, challenged local high school students to develop a sustainable business idea. A panel of judges, including local business owners and bankers, scored projects. Pictured are the winners of this year’s event. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Larson, Lincoln County Economic Development Director)
Library patrons and Sylvan Grove residents are getting excited about the changes happening at the Sylvan Grove Public Library.
At the end of every year, I always like to reflect on the past year’s economic activity. It’s my way to take a mental ‘deep breath’ before recharging the brain and entering the new year full steam ahead. Here’s my list of happenings over the past year
In the spring of 2018, the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation invited businesses and organizations in the downtown districts of the Lincoln, Sylvan Grove, Barnard and Beverly communities to apply to the Downtown Design Assistance Program. Attractive and well-maintained storefronts and buildings are critical to the survival of small town businesses. Property owners often defer …
The Lincoln City Hall was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at the Lincoln City Hall included two options, one with an elevator to utilize space on the second floor and another without an elevator. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
The Lincoln Senior Center was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at the Lincoln Senior Center include painting the awning and siding, installing a new sign, painting the historic cast-iron columns on each side of the storefront, and adding vinyl lettering to the storefront and door. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
Lincoln Center Antiques & Collectibles was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at Lincoln Center Antiques & Collectibles include Removing the infill from the original storefront opening and reconstructing the appearance of transom windows, cleaning the face of the building and repainting, installing a new sign (either as a panel or projecting sign), repairing the door hardware to ease opening and closing, and reglazing the storefront windows to improve energy efficiency. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
The Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at the Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce include installing a new historically appropriate door, Installing new double-hung windows, repairing and repointing the limestone exterior, painting the door and trim, and a new sign. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
Labertew Apiaries was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at Labertew Apiaries include removing the siding to uncover the original storefront, installing a new canvas awning to draw attention to the business, installing new signage to make the business easier to find, painting the metal siding, and repairing and repointing the limestone foundation under the storefront. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
J&R Feeds was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed improvements at the J&R Feeds building include repairing and painting the building’s original pressed metal siding, repairing and repointing the limestone foundation and walls, converting the space that was historically a garage door into an ADA accessible storefront, installing awnings over the storefronts and new signage. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
The Sylvan Senior Center was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed exterior improvements at the Sylvan Senior Center included an updated awning, paint and new signage, and interior plans include updated kitchen cabinetry and island, an ADA accessible bathroom, a new projector and screen and relocating the television. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
The Sylvan Grove Public Library was one of eight summer projects that were part of the 2018 Downtown Design Assistance Program. The proposed exterior improvements at the Sylvan Library included installing a new storefront and ADA accessible entrance, a new awning, and new signage, as well as a complete interior remodel as well. (Designs by interns Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel)
By Hailey Dixon for the Lincoln Sentinel Out of 17 applications, eight businesses were selected for the Downtown Revitalization Project by Kelly Larson, Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director, members of the LCEDF Board and two interns, Miki Blair and Bethany Pingel. “I am grateful that we were a part of that decision,” Blair …
Bethany Pingel, Miki Blair, and Drake Koops are spending the summer in Lincoln, KS, gaining valuable real-world work experience as interns for Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation and O’Hare Law, LLC.
Lincoln Junior-Senior High School senior Dylan Babcock took home first place at the first annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on March 6. The event, which was sponsored by the Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation and Network Kansas, showcased Lincoln County high schoolers and their potential business ideas at the Finch Theatre and Lincoln Art Center. LJSHS and Sylvan-Lucas Unified High School students presented 24 different concepts to 21 judges, who were local business owners, Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation Directory Kelly Larson said. “I was impressed with what the kids put together,” she said. (photo by Kris Heinze)
Six Lincoln County business leaders recently attended the training workshop “Destination Bootcamp,” in Colorado, to learn new ways to attract and increase the number of customers and visitors to the area. Back row (L-R): Jon Schallert, marketing consultant, Jennifer O’Hare, Sue Graham, Kelly Larson, Carly SeirerErrebo, Ronda Mishler. Front row: Alisha DeWitt and Angela O’Bannon. (Courtesy photo)
We can all agree that economic development doesn’t happen overnight. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint”, as the saying goes. With the end of another year upon us, here’s a quick recap of the strides we have made in our marathon towards a stronger county.
Lincoln County is one of 77 counties in Kansas participating in the state’s Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) program. The program provides financial incentives to recruit new full-time residents into rural counties. There are two types of ROZ programs with a brief description of each listed below. An individual who qualifies for both incentives can receive …
