This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. This show aired live at 11:30 AM CT in September 2025. Topics include the construction of the new commercial kitchen in St. John’s Equity bank. The former kitchen was too small. Subjects for discussion on the show also touched on the Kansas Main Street program and the possibilities of potential grants; Certified local governments and the possibility of listing more historic buildings within the county. Other topics included child care zones; solar companies that want to enter Stafford County and the discussion of solar ordinances; and Community Development Block Grant projects, particularly in relation to the Hood’s Haven building in St. John.
TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the Department of Commerce has awarded $4.1 million through the Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP) to support significant fundraising efforts for 30 non-profit organizations across the state.
“Strong, vibrant communities are what draw new businesses, visitors and potential residents to Kansas,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “CSP allows locally led initiatives to attract additional capital support – and further expand the economic opportunities in their communities.”
The Community Service Tax Credit Program provides an opportunity for non-profit organizations and public healthcare entities to improve their ability to undertake major capital campaigns involving community service, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship and technical training, and healthcare services.
Under the program, the state authorizes nonprofit organizations to offer tax credits to donors that make contributions towards approved projects. Organizations in rural areas with populations less than 15,000 can receive a 70% credit, while communities with more than 15,000 population can receive a 50% credit.
“We know that thriving communities are the foundation of a strong economy, and these awards empower organizations to take on bold investments in the future of Kansas,” Assistant Secretary of Quality Places Matt Godinez said. “From early childhood education to mental health services, these projects will be transformative for our Kansas communities.”
A few highlights from the latest round of awardees include:
- Imaginarium, Inc., Emporia ($40,500 credits awarded): A new 360 interactive space will provide powerful learning experiences and real-world simulations, specifically for those with special needs and who benefit from low-stress environments but need to learn life skills
- Wamego Community Foundation, Wamego ($85,050 credits awarded): USD 320 is pursuing a two-year facility lease to launch a high-quality Early Learning Center for newborn children to age 5 to address the urgent need for childcare and support educator retention
- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, Garden City ($162,000 credits awarded): This project will remodel 3,200 square feet of space to include a forensic medical exam room, mental health therapy suites, family waiting area, a children’s activity center and additional office space to enhance confidentiality and support
Tax credits through this program have been issued in Kansas since 1994. Program funds are one of the many tools provided by Commerce that supports nonprofits. To view the complete list of 2025 awardees and their projects, click here.
About the Kansas Department of Commerce:
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.
About the Quality Places Division:
Established in 2024, the Quality Places Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce exists to improve quality of life in communities across the state through various programs and services. The Kansas Department of Commerce understands the immense role played by strong communities in economic development and prioritizes investments in people and communities as major contributors to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. To learn more, click here.
A Town Hall meeting in Macksville on July 29th was well attended with citizens able to ask questions of Executive Director, Ryan Russell about the Child Day Care project. If there are any questions about the Community Service Tax Credits or the Child Day Care project, please reach out to Ryan Russell at ryan@staffordecodevo.com.
News of the Award was also reported in the Great Bend Post: https://greatbendpost.com/posts/ed29083a-fe08-4cd4-b5fc-55e78c7c4606
This is the July 2024 radio show Focus on Stafford County. This month’s show covers a variety of topics including an introduction of the new Stafford County Economic Development office administrator, Sarah Hampton. Other subjects covered are childcare updates and Rural Champion funding; new housing, prices and availability; a grant for a historic district survey in Stafford; nominations for historic register designation; Hudson’s Easter egg hunt and Christmas celebrations; a grant for getting quality internet broadband services in Hudson; an update on St. John’s Pickleboard Court. and status of Gray Studio renovation.
This is the audio from our monthly radio show Focus on Stafford County. This show aired live in May 202nd. Topics include housing updates; childcare; the creation of a historic preservation district in Stafford, the Kansas Main Street Program; Pickleball courts coming to Stafford County; the Farmers Market and events surrounding the first time it opens on June 13; the Commercial Kitchen, job openings, grant writing projects and the possibility of showing outdoor movies in the park.
This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. The show aired in February, 2024. Topics include an upcoming Lunch & Learn book discussion of “Thirteen Ways to Kill your Community;” updates on Stafford County’s commercial kitchen, childcare; Gray Photo Studio grant, art auction and renovation; EPIC grant projects in Stafford County and the Sttafford train depot.
This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. This show aired live Thursday, Jan. 25. Topics included a $50,000 HEAL grant that was awarded to the W.R. Gray Studio in St. John and a $50,000 loan from SJN Bank for the studio’s renovation. Other subjects included the Stafford County Port Authority, updates on the upcoming Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge; the county’s commercial kitchen, childcare, the Community Fair Building and new housing construction.
The Stafford County Childcare Committee just signed a lease with Logen Kernell to be a childcare provider in St. John. Logen currently lives in Great Bend but is originally from Fowler, KS. Her boyfriend Garrett Thomas is a truck driver and is from Larned. Logen likes watching her two favorite animated movies Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc. Her favorite children’s books from her own childhood are Goodnight Moon & Love you forever.
Logen has worked in an in-home daycare as well as her Aunts Community Daycare. She’s even spent some time working in a preschool classroom. She’s having lots of younger cousins she’s watched over the years and now has an 8 week old son!
Logen says, “I was trying to find childcare for my son, but it was very stressful as most of the daycares were full. I want to be able to help a community like St. John as I know firsthand the struggles with childcare.” She’d looked at starting a daycare in Great Bend but ran into several roadblocks. She was then recommended to the Stafford County Childcare Committee. She’s excited to get started and hoping to open August 1st. There will be an open house on July 25th, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Different activities she plans to do with the children would include Circle time, this will include the calendar, days of the week. She plans on also having story time once a day and the kids doing a craft at least once a week to take home to their families.
If you are interested in getting on her waiting list: Logenb30@gmail.com or 620-539-3102
Stafford County Economic Development, Inc.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Our Office
311 N Broadway St, Saint John, KS 67576
620-549-3527
Mailing Address
PO Box 233, Saint John, KS 67576
Our Mission
To promote economic and population growth throughout the County by assisting our local businesses, engaging in community activities, and promoting Stafford County as a great place to live, work, and play.
We are an equal opportunity provider and employer.