
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
Our MISSION is to improve the economic quality of life for the working families of the community.
We will do this by:
Creating jobs, through retention, recruitment and expansion of businesses
Strengthening workforce through recruitment, education and training
Improving and increasing the number of living wage jobs
Expanding the tax base through increase capital investment
Great Bend Economic Development
The Great Bend Economic Development, Inc. is a public/private partnership focusing on the economic development efforts in Great Bend, KS. The board is made up of City Council members, Chamber Representatives, various leaders in the community and the general public. We are a dedicated group of business sector stakeholders. This board employs an Executive Director to implement and oversee the efforts of the Economic Development.
Meet Our Director
As a native to Great Bend, I am thrilled to be back in the community as an integral part of the force that will make our community thrive. With my 10+ years of public relations experience and my Bachelor of Arts dergree from Friends University, I am experienced and ready to form the relationships that will help to develop our community. Great Bend has the charm of small-town living with the conveniences of modern-day living; I hope to invite many more to join our midwestern utopia. Please contact me today with questions about what Great Bend can do for you.
Meet Our Executive Assistant

As a Great Bend resident for over 20 years, I am passionate about the area and committed to seeing it grow and thrive. I'm a mother of 5 and therefore I am quite adept at multi-tasking, organizing, and keeping up with a fast pace - all things that will serve me well as I navigate these new waters. I have always felt very connected to the community - its people and the feeling of unity they create - in this role, I am most looking forward to leveraging the innate strength and unity we possess to help us reach new heights.
Meet Our Board
Mark Calcara, Attorney at Law at WATKINS CALCARA.
Kevyn Soupiset, Physical Therapist and City Council Member
Dennis Neeland, Coldwell Banker Real Estate full-time independent sales associate.
Shawn Hutchinson, Owner of Satellite Pros and CPS Security and County Commissioner.
Tony Szot, Plant Manager at Superior Essex.
Paul Snapp, President/CEO at First Kansas Bank
Ex-Officio Members: Kendal Francis, Cody Schmidt, Christina Hayes, Megan Barfield, Jerry Renk and Matt Patzner