Through K-State 105, the University has plans to increase economic growth for all counties in Kansas.
Since its creation a year ago, the organization has been adding partnerships around Kansas to increase business and workforce development, technical assistance, and capital and equity investment in both rural and urban counties.
In the last year, the organization has launched partnerships with nearly 80 organizations in Kansas, which includes 37 K-State units and 41 external partners. Foundational partners NetWork Kansas, the Innovation Center, and GO Topeka have been on board since the beginning.
Jessica Gnad, Director of K-State 105 said through collaboration with K-State 105 partners, the organization is collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders across the state.
“K-State 105 is all about partnerships. K-State 105 is building a statewide ecosystem of committed, creative partners to advance the economic prosperity of all 105 counties in Kansas. We’re doing together what we can’t do alone.”
University of Kansas Health System Partnership
The organization is also partnering with the University of Kansas Health System to identify new ways to support rural healthcare. The two announced the partnership on April 4.
With the collaboration, the organizations plan to extend resources such as support for caregivers for patients with dementia, increase the amount of access to digital and telehealth resources, develop strategies to keep care local, and more.
Bob Page, President and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, said with the expertise and resources within this partnership, the two can do incredible things for citizens in Kansas.
“As the only academic health system in the state of Kansas, one of our primary responsibilities is to make sure to take care of Kansans…this is an ideal partnership for us to deliver that care,” Page said when the organizations announced their partnership.
Next Steps Across Kansas
Gnad said 90% of K-State 105 dollars the first year of the project are invested in external communities through projects and partnerships. Funding has supported more than 31 projects across the state so far in more than 80 counties.
During its second year, K-State 105 plans on continuing to build partnerships and enhance community prosperity through new projects and initiatives.
Funds Available for Small Business and Entrepreneurs
K-State 105 recently launched a new project with their founding partner, NetWork Kansas, and K-State Research and Extension, named K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative.
The blueprint initiative aims to support community-based projects and small business development through funding. The project additionally provides technical and business mentorship, along with collaboration with local, regional, or statewide partners.
“We just started our second year and we are continuing to build partnerships and enhance community prosperity through new projects and initiatives,” Gnad said.
Through the one-time funding opportunities, each applicant project can request up to $125,000, with a requirement to match 25% of funds. The initiative focuses on seeing measurable impact before June 30, 2025.
Gnad said the goal is to connect solutions for support of businesses, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. The initiative focuses on workforce issues, healthy communities, child care, affordable housing, broadband connectivity and water issues, and other elements that affect the 105 counties of Kansas.
“Our goal is to connect solutions for business support, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. These challenges need ongoing attention to ensure our efforts are impactful and enduring,” Gnad said.
Organizations and groups interested in applying for the initiative are encouraged to apply before the October 1, 2024 deadline by visiting the K-State 105 Entrepreneurial Blueprint Initiative.
K-State 105 along with its NetWork Kansas and K-State Research and Extension partnership helped expand the Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge to its 11th and largest year ever.
The 2023-24 competition saw involvement from 1,159 students across the state. More than $75,000 in total prizes was awarded to 31 aspiring entrepreneurs in April. The Kansas Entrepreneurship Challenge also partners with the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and Kansas 4-H.
The K-State Technology Development Institute (TDI) and K-State 105 have worked on projects related to business development such as Wildcat Consulting, which helps business support activities and gives students hands-on learning opportunities.
“Through the partnership, students solve business challenges by consulting on a variety of projects for Kansas businesses.” Gnad said.
Alignment with K-State Economic Prosperity Plan
The formation of K-State105 was founded in alignment with the Kansas State University’s economic prosperity plan, which was formed in 2020 after the Kansas Board of Regents implemented a plan for all participating institutions to develop a plan for the addition of jobs and investment in Kansas.
The original plan pledges to bring more than 1,500 additional jobs and $1 billion in direct investment to Kansas by the end of 2024, and long-term goals to reach 3,000 additional jobs and $3 billion in direct investment to Kansas by 2029.
K-State105 is one of the four foundational focus areas of the university’s economic prosperity plan, along with:
- Food and agriculture system innovations
- Digital agriculture and advanced analytics
- Biosecurity and biodefense.
K-State 105 is also a pillar of Kansas State University’s Next-Gen K-State strategic plan. In addition to building an ecosystem across the state, K-State 105 aims to illustrate how higher education can be a catalyst for economic prosperity. K-State plans to demonstrate its faculty members, researchers, educators, laboratories, and institutes have expertise, skills and knowledge that can serve people and businesses in all 105 Kansas counties.
Businesses or partners who are interested in getting involved or looking for more information with K-State 105 can email [email protected] or visit www.k-state.edu/105.
