Great Bend
Innovation Center
A Place Designed to Bring People, Ideas, and Resources Together
Designed to Serve the Entire Community
Offering access to technology, resources, and programs
From hands-on learning spaces and workforce development to health services, education, and community programming, the Innovation Center is designed to meet people where they are and support them at every stage of life.
OUR PURPOSE, MISSION, AND IMPACT
Designed with intention to serve people, strengthen the community, and support long-term economic growth
Purpose
Expand Access and Opportunity
Address the region’s most pressing workforce, education, and community challenges.
Mission
Bring Resources Together in One Place
Strengthen entrepreneurship, expand
education, improve healthcare, and increase after school programming & childcare availability.
Impact
Support the Community
Create a hub designed to support families
and develop talent, driving long-term sustainable economic growth across the region.
How the Innovation Center Works
Built on four core pillars that support people at every stage of life
Workforce & Entrepreneurship
Preparing individuals to enter, re-enter, or advance in the workforce while supporting new and growing businesses.
The Innovation Center increases our ability to strengthen career pathways and support business growth. GBED will continue to host job fairs, workforce development events, entrepreneurship programs, and partner-led initiatives.
By bringing workforce and small business resources together in one place, the Center expands access and elevates opportunities across the region.
Programming examples: Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, ICE- House, Co.Starters, Start-up Crawl, Ignite, Job Fair, Workforce Development Summit, and more. If you would like to see something created…come help us build it.
Areas of
FOCUS
We’ve chosen to highlight these focus areas because we see the relevance of the challenges within our region. These challenges aren’t going away, we’re working to provide resources for the entrepreneurs of today while also educating the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Transportation
From drones to advanced transportation systems
Bringing education, resources, and tools together to create hands-on pathways in Aviation, Automotive, and Pipeline operations to further educate and build a skilled workforce for local and critical industries.
Agriculture
Grounded in regional needs and innovation
Focuses on pressing issues like water management, soil health, sustainability in farming, and emerging ag-tech to support the long-term vitality of our rural economy.
Technology
The thread that connects it all
Equips learners with skills from basics in computer literacy to more advanced skills in coding, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and modern digital tools that drive innovation across all sectors.
Explore the Focus Areas
Where hands-on learning, industry, and community come together
Technology
Sustainability & Technology in Ag
Soil
Water
Agriculture
Pipelines
Automotive
Drones & Medical Access
Drones & Agriculture
Aviation
Makerspace
the heart of the Innovation Center
A flexible, hands-on environment designed to support learning, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and community programming. The Makerspace brings together tools, technology, and adaptable community space to encourage skill-building, business development, and experiential learning.
Equipment & Capabilities
Hands-on tools that support learning, business growth, and workforce readiness
Prototyping & Fabrication
Example Resources include:
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3D Printers & Scanners
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Woodworking Tools
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Commercial Sewing Equipment
Media & Digital Production
Example Resources include:
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Audio and Video Production Equipment
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Screen Printing Tools
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Computer Workstations with Professional Software Licenses
Advanced Technology
Example Resources include:
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Immersive Learning Tools
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VR/AR Headsets
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Motion Capture Tools
The Tools available will evolve over time as the needs and focus of the center take shape. If you have a business idea and need specific support, let us know. If you have a business with this equipment and want to partner, let us know.
We are always looking for partners that can help us move forward together.
WHO THE SPACE
SERVES
Bringing together the right people with the right tools & the right resources.
Opportunities for small businesses to access shared tools and technology to develop, prototype, and launch new ideas.
Creating space for businesses to grow, collaborate, and embed within the community.
Opportunities for businesses to operate from or collaborate within the Innovation Center, gaining access to shared resources, flexible space, and a connected ecosystem that supports growth, innovation, and community engagement.
Businesses and organizations that may partner within the Center include:
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Office-based tenants
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Makers and product-based businesses
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Media, technology, and creative organizations
Learn more about becoming a tenant at the Innovation Center.
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Preparing people and businesses for the workforce of tomorrow.
Opportunities for people to gain the skills, certifications, and experience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Connecting healthcare providers with the community.
Opportunities for local healthcare providers to expand their reach by using the Innovation Center as a convenient hub for health education, screenings, and other essential services in a central, accessible location.
Preparing people with the skills, experience, and support they need.
Opportunities for adults to advance or transition their careers through partnerships with local employers, schools, and organizations, offering accessible training and upskilling programs that prepare individuals for high-demand jobs in our region.
Hands-on learning beyond the classroom.
Opportunities for children of all ages to engage in safe, enriching after-school and summer programs that offer hands-on learning, exploration, and structured activities for students who need support beyond the school day.
What Programming Can Look Like
sample calendar Of events & programs that could take place throughout a Month
This sample calendar illustrates the variety and frequency of programming that could take place at the Innovation Center during a typical month. Activities may serve children, teens, adults, families, and professionals across education, healthcare, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.
Partnering with Bright Beginnings to Expand Childcare Access
The Innovation Center will build on the work started by the Bright Beginnings Childcare Center in Great Bend, expanding access to trusted childcare services for working families.
A second childcare location adjacent to the existing center will increase capacity while creating operational efficiencies through shared resources, including the food program.
Additionally, local market research is underway to assess the demand for after-hours and overnight childcare, an area currently underserved but critical to supporting today’s workforce.
Help us understand the need for after-hours childcare in our community.
Funding the Innovation Center
A diversified investment supporting workforce, education, healthcare, and childcare in rural America
Funding Snapshot
Total Project Budget: $6,826,680
Funding Secured to Date: $5,615,893
Spent to Date: $5,221,893
Remaining to Complete Construction: $1,604,787
To date, $5,615,893 has been secured to support construction of the Innovation Center. $4,382,493 comes from a federal grant supporting new infrastructure that advances workforce development, education, healthcare, and childcare. The remaining $1,233,400 has been funded through private foundations, state grants, and other state incentive programs.
Building the Innovation Center
A time-lapse look at the progress bringing the Innovation Center to life
This video captures the construction of the Innovation Center as it moves from vision to reality. It reflects the progress made possible through public investment, partnerships, and community support.
Early supporters who donate by March 20th will be recognized as Founding Contributors.
Support the innovation center
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Great Bend
A Sustainable Model Built for Long-Term Impact
The Innovation Center is supported through a diversified mix of public investment, partnerships, programming, and community support. This balanced approach allows the Center to grow responsibly while remaining flexible and responsive to community needs.
If you have a small business and would like to operate out of the innovation center, reach out today to start the discussion and learn how the innovation center can elevate your specific business.
We are looking for partners that have parallels to our own mission, businesses that can help us deliver our purpose and accelerate our impact within the region. We are also looking for partners that would benefit from the organic traffic due to the existing businesses, events, and other programming occurring in the Innovation Center.
Ways to Support the Innovation Center
Long Term Tenants
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Great Bend Economic Development
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Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
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Advancing Barton County Childcare
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Additional partners as the Center grows
Programming
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After School Programs & Summer Camps
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Classes & Workshops
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Conferences & Events
Additional Funding
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Grants & Foundations
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Corporate Sponsorships
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Memberships & In-Kind Support
Sponsor the Innovation Center
Invest in the Future of Workforce, Education, and Community Growth
Sponsorships play a key role in closing the remaining $1.6M needed to complete the Innovation Center.
Tiered sponsorship opportunities allow individuals, businesses, and organizations to directly support the programs, spaces, and resources that will serve our community for years to come.
Opportunities are available at a variety of levels.
Community
$100+
2,500 Sponsorships Available
Advocate
$500+
500 Sponsorships Available
Partner
$1,000+
250 Sponsorships Available
Bronze
$2,500+
100 Sponsorships Available
Silver
$5,000+
50 Sponsorships Available
Gold
$10,000+
25 Sponsorships Available
Platinum
$25,000+
10 Sponsorships Available
Champion
$50,000+
6 Sponsorships Available
Innovative
$100,000+
5 Sponsorships Available
Visionary
$250,000+
2 Sponsorships Available
Founder
$500,000+
1 Sponsorship Available
Legacy
$1,000,000+
1 Sponsorship Available
Sponsors of all levels will be recognized within the Innovation Center, Gold and above will receive custom recognition, and Platinum and above will receive naming right options.