Focus on Stafford County Radio Show
Business Showcase, Community Event, Giving Tuesday, Grants, HousingThis is the audio from our monthly radio show Focus on Stafford County. This show aired in December. It includes discussion on Giving Tuesday, Stafford County's commercial kitchen, the partnership between Stafford County Economic Development and the Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library's Lunch and Learns, a new gazebo for the St. John Square and some upcoming grant writing workshops.
TurkeyKnob Farm has roots in Stafford County but sells almost everywhere
Business Showcase
By Beccy Tanner
When Connie and Tim Gross retired in 2015, they moved to Stafford County.
For both, it was a coming home.
Connie was born and raised in Stafford County; Tim, from Pawnee County.
They moved to her family’s fourth-generation…
Christmas celebrations slated with Stafford County style
Program, Tourism
By Beccy Tanner
All through Stafford County, the signs of Christmas are upon us.
There’s the many arrays of lights on rooftops, decorated trees and best of all, community gatherings with food and Santas and all his volunteer helpers.
This…
For more than six decades, the Delp Christmas Tree Farm has helped Kansans celebrate the holidays
Uncategorized
By Beccy Tanner
For many Kansans, the Christmas holiday season begins first with a visit to the Delp Christmas Tree Farm in St. John.
It’s tradition and for good reason:
The Delp Christmas Tree Farm is the oldest continuously operating…
This Thanksgiving look at Grandmas or Great Grandmas Recipes
News
By: Ryan Russell and Beccy Tanner
It’s Thanksgiving week and you might be needing a little help thinking of some new recipes to try. Why try to find new things when you have the best from the old recipe books that grandma had laying…
Cornwell Beef is all about the beef – and family
Business Showcase
By Beccy Tanner
For four generations, the Cornwells of Stafford County have farmed and raised some of the top beef cattle in Kansas.
Now, it is the fifth generation – the grandchildren who range in ages between 15 and 6 – who are…
Hudson Cream Flour specializes in quality flour, tradition and plenty of innovation
Business Showcase
By Beccy Tanner
When Darrell Bauer, owner of the Wheatland Café in Hudson talks about the quality and uses of Hudson Cream Flour, his voice takes on that enthusiastic tone of a loyal fan.
“There’s all kinds of flour out there but…
South Central Community Foundation Grant Recipients 2023
Grants, News, Program
2023 SCCF $5,000 Children’s Health Grant Recipient:
City of Stafford: West Park Equipment Update
2023 SCCF Community Grant Recipients:
Lucille M. Hall Museum for Education and History:
Isaac…
Trap Shooting Team to Hold Quarter Auction Fundraiser November 18th
Community Event
Quartermania is almost upon us! November 18th to be exact. St. John-Hudson Trap Shooting Team is holding a quarter action to fundraise for the team. The event will be held at the St. John High School Cafeteria with doors opening at 6:30.…
Commerce Updates ROZ Student Loan Repayment Program
Program, UncategorizedTOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced significant changes to the Rural Opportunity Zones (ROZ) program that could increase participation in student loan repayments for people moving to rural Kansas counties.
Individuals who earn an associate degree or higher and move to a designated ROZ county they haven’t lived in for the preceding two years are eligible to have up to $15,000 in student loan debt repaid. Previously, individuals had to live elsewhere for the preceding five years to be eligible.
Commerce also clarified the language describing a student’s permanent residence. Rural residents who occupied a dorm room or apartment during college and kept their permanent address on their driver’s license as their parents’ residence, for example, no longer would be denied eligibility in the program when they returned to their home community following graduation.
“Kansas is ranked one of the top states in the nation for higher education, but then loses too many graduates who pursue career opportunities in other states,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said . “Ensuring more students can utilize the Student Loan Repayment Program is critical to keeping and bringing our young talent back to their rural communities. These updates will make Kansas a more financially attractive option for graduates.”
The new rules will make it easier to participate in the program for individuals who complete required internships, practicums and residencies or are traveling nurses to remain in an ROZ county and establish permanent residency there.
Ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the revised regulations will help increase the number of eligible educated students that rural communities can court. An expanded pool of eligible sponsors for the program now includes employers, foundations, cities, chambers of commerce, Main Street organizations and other community or economic development groups that can utilize the incentive to recruit new workers to rural communities.
“We want to be able to incentivize these highly trained individuals to stay in our rural communities after they complete their training or education,” Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity Director Trisha Purdon said . “With so many students required to complete internships as part of their education, extending ROZ eligibility to include professional practicum experiences will help provide them with long-term employment opportunities in Kansas.”
The program will continue to offer a 100 percent state income tax credit if the eligible participant has not lived in Kansas or received Kansas-based income for the preceding five years.
The program application period is open annually from January 1 to September 30. To apply for student loan repayment assistance or to learn more about eligibility for the program, visit the ROZ website here.
A virtual webinar to explain the program changes will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25. Potential applicants, sponsors, schools, cities, counties, foundations, economic development organizations and other employers recruiting workforce are encouraged to attend.
Registration for the webinar is required. To register, click here.