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GREAT BEND, Kan. — Everyday problems take center stage at the Great Bend Innovation Challenge, a free, hands-on event bringing students, business owners, entrepreneurs and community members together from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. Participants work in teams to explore ideas, build prototypes and present practical solutions with guidance from mentors. The event requires no coding experience, technical background, finished business idea or preformed team. Attendee

GREAT BEND, Kan. — With $250,000 in Kansas tax credits still available and an Oct. 31 deadline approaching, Great Bend Economic Development urges local businesses and individuals to take advantage of a significant tax incentive while supporting economic growth in Barton County. Great Bend Economic Development recently secured a $350,000 allocation of Community Development Tax Credits through Network Kansas. The program offers a 75% Kansas state income tax credit for qualifyin

Sammy McBride started Sugar Co. from her love of retail and belief that shopping should feel personal. The women-owned boutique is built around one simple idea: getting dressed should be fun, easy and a reflection of who you are. “I wanted to create the kind of shopping experience where women could walk in, find something they love, feel confident in it and leave feeling a little better than when they came in,” she said. “We offer thoughtfully-curated women’s clothing, ac

Billy and Kassandra Eldridge noticed a missing piece of the community – a space where families could gather, kids could play and special moments celebrated. With the help of the IGNITE program, they hope to fill that void. “We want to bring a family-focused entertainment destination created to give children and families in Great Bend and surrounding communities a fun, safe place to play, connect, and make memories,” Kassandra Eldridge said. Once finished, the business wi

Great Bend Economic Development plans to announce its 2026 IGNITE winner Oct. 8 at the historic Crest Theater. Four finalists were recently named: Great Bend Play Place; Sugar Co.; The Book Cellar; and The Zarah Coffee Shop. “These entrepreneurs have demonstrated vision, passion, and the drive to make an impact in Barton County,” Jason Kuilan, Executive Director for Great Bend Economic Development, said. “Now they’ll take the stage to pitch their businesses for a chance to wi

Great Bend Economic Development plans to announce its 2026 IGNITE winner Oct. 8 at the historic Crest Theater. Five finalists were recently named and include Great Bend Play Place; Little Window Restaurant Group; Sugar Co.; The Book Cellar; and The Zarah Coffee Shop. The Zarah Coffee Shop is owned by Kimberly Becker and was formerly Perks. “For the last couple of years, every time I walked into Perks for a cup of coffee or to meet with a client, I found myself imagining what

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GREAT BEND, Kan. — Big Bend Bash organizers are proud to announce longtime community advocate Mark Calcara as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Big Bend Bash Red, White & Blue Parade. Calcara has been a dedicated supporter of Great Bend for many years, serving as a longtime Great Bend Economic Development (GBED) board member and champion for community growth, downtown development, and local events. Most recently, he was recognized with the prestigious Legacy

To the community of Great Bend & Barton County, our local businesses, and everyone who is a part of this incredible community... I would like to start with the two words I keep coming back to since the day my wife and I landed in Great Bend: Thank you. When we moved to Great Bend, we were newcomers. We didn't grow up here. We hadn't spent decades building relationships in this community. And yet, from our very first days, you welcomed us. You embraced us. You made us feel lik

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Great Bend, Kansas – March 18, 2026 Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize Advancing Barton County Child Care as a Child Care Community Champion, honoring their outstanding dedication and commitment to strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is a part of the Child Care Friendly Communities initiative, a statewide program that uplifts community- led efforts to make child care accessible, sustainable, and supportive for Kansas

Entrepreneurial energy is building once again as the IGNITE Business Competition prepares to launch a new year of innovation, opportunity, and bold ideas. Applications will open soon, and Great Bend Economic Development is inviting aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners to take their shot. Inspired by the popular “Shark Tank” format, IGNITE gives participants the chance to pitch their business concepts to a panel of judges — and to a supportive community eager to see new

GREAT BEND — Fridays on Forest will return in 2026 with another season of live music, food, and downtown energy, and organizers are now seeking business sponsors for the popular monthly event series. The event will take place the last Friday of each month from April through October, bringing residents and visitors to downtown Great Bend for evenings featuring live entertainment, local food vendors, extended retail hours and family-friendly activities. The series has become a

GREAT BEND, KS — The next generation of entrepreneurs took center stage on March 4 at the Youth Entrepreneur Challenge (YEC) held at the Great Bend Event Center, where five student-run businesses presented their ideas to a panel of judges and members of the community. The Youth Entrepreneur Challenge is a statewide competition that encourages high school students to develop real-world business concepts, build business plans, and pitch their ideas to industry professionals. Pa