County-Wide Economic Development

Stafford County Economic Development (EcoDevo) started as a grassroots effort encouraged by Farm Bureau and supported by the Stafford County Commission. Officially incorporated in 2011, it was developed to promote economic and population growth throughout the county.

EcoDevo is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This designation has allowed the organization to pursue grant funding, leverage resources, and invest in our communities.

Our History

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2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Stafford County Farm Bureau proposed that Stafford County apply for funding through Kansas Farm Bureau to receive coaching on successful rural development strategies. Stafford County Farm Bureau pledged $5,000 if the County would apply for the grant, participate in the program, and use the funding it already collected for economic development purposes toward establishing a full-time economic development office.

In the fall, a $15,000 grant from Kansas Farm Bureau was awarded for the strategic planning and training. The Stafford County Commissioners named an advisory committee and training began.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

In June, Stafford County hired a full-time executive director.

In September, a board of directors was established, and Stafford County Economic Development was incorporated as a Kanas Not-fo-Profit Corporation.

Stafford County was designated as a Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) by the Kansas Legislature.

Stafford County was chosen as a NetWork Kansas E-Community.

Stafford County Farm Bureau (a key supporter in starting Eco Devo) was chosen as a “County of Excellence” by the American Farm Bureau Federation based on their leadership and innovative projects they sponsored during the year (entrepreneurship contest and entrepreneurship camp).

See a more in-depth timeline here.

The first small business loans were made through our E-community partnership. Five were made in 2012.

The organization filed for 501(c)3 status.

A group of Stafford County residents took a bus trip to Atwood to learn about how they cultivate entrepreneurship and youth engagement. Farm Bureau gave a grant to cover the travel expenses.

A Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Agriculture provided funding for a high tunnel and technical assistance to 5 county residents interested in growing produce. This project was continued through the spring and summer of 2013.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

The IRS granted Stafford County Economic Development 501(c)3 status. This included for general housing development, not just low-moderate income.

EcoDevo was awarded funding to plan and implement a 4-year Healthy Communities Initiative through the Kansas Health Foundation. The program encouraged the development of more readily available healthy food as well as environmental changes promoting physical activity.

The wind tunnel project continued with workshops and construction.

EcoDevo was selected for a Kansas Community Service Tax Credit award that would allow EcoDevo to generate funding for our first housing development: a duplex in Macksville.

An after-school entrepreneurship program began at Stafford USD 349 and St. John-Hudson USD 350.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

Ideas began forming for a business incubator in Stafford County.

A concurrent resolution was passed in the Kansas Legislature authorizing the creation of a port authority in Stafford County.

In April, EcoDevo broke ground on a duplex in Macksville. Construction was completed in October.

EcoDevo continued to be involved with the Healthy Communities Initiative.

The after-school entrepreneurship program continued at Stafford USD 349 and St. John-Hudson USD 350.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

In January, the Stafford County Commissioners passed a resolution authorizing the creation of a port authority.

EcoDevo bought and started renovating a house in Hudson.

EcoDevo became certified as a Community Development Entity.

The Healthy Communities Initiative continued with a focus on community improvement projects that promoted walkability and was rebranded to Live Well Stafford County.

The after-school entrepreneurship program continued at Stafford USD 349 and St. John-Hudson USD 350.

In December, EcoDevo broke ground on a new single-family home in Stafford.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

In January, renovations on the house in Hudson were completed.

The Dillons grocery store in St. John closed and a citizen-driven effort started to recruit a new grocer. Eventually, EcoDevo was asked to assist with this effort.

EcoDevo hosted a regional youth entrepreneurship competition at the Stafford County Annex.

The idea for a business incubator gained traction and land was purchased to construct a new building. EcoDevo was awarded several grants to develop a facility.

Live Well Stafford County (formerly Healthy Communities Initiative) continued.

Construction was completed on the single-family house in Stafford and a family approached EcoDevo about buying it. In July, it sold.

EcoDevo assisted Stafford County in getting a grant that would provide four individuals/families with a $25,000 down-payment for the construction of a new house.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

EcoDevo mentored and sponsored Stafford High School students interested in developing a business pitch for the regional and state youth entrepreneurship competitions.

Plans were developed to construct a new grocery store. White’s Foodliner signed a letter of intent to operate the grocery store. EcoDevo worked tirelessly to secure funding for the project, including a $780,000 Health & Human Services grant.

An existing building on the square in downtown St. John became available. EcoDevo chose to purchase it for the location of the business incubator rather than proceed with constructing a new building. Stafford County Drug opened in the building while waiting for the new grocery store to be constructed.

Live Well Stafford County (formerly Healthy Communities Initiative) continued.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

Nine students from Stafford and St. John schools participated in regional and state youth entrepreneurship competitions.

EcoDevo arranged for a group of Stafford County residents to attend the Kansas Leadership Center’s You.Lead.Now. Conference in Wichita.

EcoDevo was approved as an AmeriCorps VISTA placement site with three positions through a partnership with Wichita State University.

A new grocery store facility was constructed in St. John. The Stafford County Marketplace, a full-service grocery store, pharmacy, and fuel station, opened on Wednesday, October 10th to the public.

EcoDevo board members, staff, and a County Commissioner toured warehouses and shared workspaces in Wichita to gather ideas for some potential projects in Stafford County.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

Our first AmeriCorps VISTA member filled the Employment Opportunity position. Her work focused on developing the remote work and business incubator projects.

EcoDevo and Pawnee County Economic Development teamed up to offer an 8-week entrepreneurship certificate program. It was open to Stafford and Pawnee County residents; half the meetings were held in Larned and half in St. John.

EcoDevo wrote and received a grant to renovate the business incubator and remote work space at 311 N. Broadway in St. John. Workspace 311 opened in August. Over the summer, EcoDevo also looked into replicating the project in Stafford.

EcoDevo began working with the K-State’s Net Positive Studio in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. In the fall, the graduate students developed concepts for an affordable, energy efficient house that they would build in Spring 2020.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

The COVID-19 Pandemic brought new realities and funding. EcoDevo helped administer Stafford County’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Funding.

Two more AmeriCorps VISTAs served with us. One as our Community Development VISTA and the other as our Arts-Focused Community Relations VISTA.

Artist Inga Ojala painted a mural depicting the founding of St. John at the corner of 2nd and Main in St. John.

Two Bike & Build VAAPs volunteered in Stafford County for 8 weeks working on housing and other projects.

Delayed by the pandemic, K-State’s Net Positive Studio built started in August 2020 with the assembling of panels.

EcoDevo was awarded two grants that will allow us to replicate the K-State prototype 9 times.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

The affordable, energy-efficient house built in conjunction with Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning and Design was completed in August 2021. It’s a 3-bedroom 2-bathroom house that totals around 1,100 sq. ft. It is the prototype for nine additional house we are building throughout the county. We broke ground on one new house in Hudson in September. Construction on three new houses in Stafford began in October.

A grant in late 2020 spurred progress on the development of a port in Stafford County. A lot of time and energy went into furthering the Port Authority of Stafford County.

Two more AmeriCorps VISTAs joined our team. One as our Arts-Focused Community Relations VISTA and the other as our Workforce Development VISTA.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

Housing, childcare, and industrial development were the primary focuses in 2022.

Progress continued on the construction of new rental houses based on the design of the affordable, energy-efficient house built in conjunction with K-State. One house was completed in Hudson (February) and three in Stafford (June). The three in St. John were nearing completion and the foundations were poured for the two in Macksville.

Ideas for a new housing development program started to take shape.

The Stafford County Child Care Committee made strides to establish a location for two new daycares to operate from. Funding was secured from the City of St. John, the County, local businesses and individuals, and a couple of small grants. A dilapidated house was torn down and a modular classroom was brought in. There are modifications that need to be made and the licensing process is lengthy. It should be operational by mid-2023.

The Port Authority of Stafford County continues to move forward. It was successful in securing $5 million toward its rail infrastructure development. You can learn more about the Port here.

See a more in-depth timeline here.

Meet the Team

Ryan Russell

Executive Director

Ryan joined EcoDevo as the new Executive Director in May 2023. He originally grew up in Stafford County before his family moved away when was 16. Ryan recently returned to the area after spending 12 years living and working in Southeast Asia. He has a background in education, job training, and helping obtain grants and loans for small businesses.

Carolyn Dunn

Strategic Projects Manager

After serving as the executive director for 10 years, Carolyn decided to reduce her hours and role to take on some other opportunities. Since January 2022, Carolyn has continued to assist with grant writing and carrying out projects as a part-time Strategic Projects Manager. She has a strong background in economics, business, and grant writing.

Monthly Board Meetings

Board Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month
at 7:00 AM in our office (311 N Broadway St, St. John).

Our Board of Directors

Jeff Barney

President

Hudson Community Resident
Term Expires December 2025

Travis Allen

Vice President

Stafford Community Resident
Term Expires December 2026

Tyler Axman

Secretary

St. John Community Resident
Term Expires December 2026

Keith Lamb

Member

Macksville Community Resident
Term Expires December 2026

Matt Appleton

Treasurer

Macksville Community Resident
Term Expires December 2025

Hannah Brummer

Member

St. John Community Resident
Term Expires December 2024

Angela Petersen

Member

St. John Community Resident
Term Expires December 2025

Past Board Members

Barb Alpers -Hudson
Brian Anshutz – Radium
Jeremy Butler – Macksville
John Diel – Stafford
Chad Fisher – St. John

Steve Freach – St. John
Fairrah Haberman – Seward
Josh Meyer – St. John
Ned Oak – Macksville
Ryan Rewerts – Stafford
Taylor Skinner – Macksville

Terry Spradley – Hudson
Amanda Staub – Hudson
Mary Jo Taylor – Stafford
Tabra Ward – Hudson
Alex Vosburgh – Macksville

County-Wide Economic Development

Our History

Meet the Team

Ryan Russell

Carolyn Dunn

Monthly Board Meetings

Our Board of Directors

Jeff Barney

Travis Allen

Tyler Axman

Keith Lamb

Matt Appleton

Hannah Brummer

Angela Petersen

Past Board Members

Stafford County Economic Development, Inc.

Our Mission