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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, 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