Economic development studies initiated last fall are starting to bear fruit, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden told the City Council Monday night. Their purpose was to arm local officials with up-to-date information in the competitive world of eco devo and business recruiting. “We are excited to get those done,” she said during her report to the council. “This is just another component, it’s another piece of the puzzle.” Even though e-commerce has gone from 11% of retail to 16% during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people shop from home, “brick and mortar is still very, very viable and competitive, so we know that it’s going to be valuable for our community, and we want to make sure we invest our time in that as well.”
Source: Great Bend Tribune

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. announced Kansas will receive more than $1.6 million in federal cost sharing to support immediate staffing and supplies for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) to help with costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “From day one, our KDEM and National Guard troops have been on the front line of this pandemic and filling a variety of roles,” said Marshall. … This funding, provided by FEMA, supports KDEM’s utilization of emergency staffing and sheltering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This cost-sharing goes toward increased staff capacity, lodging, meals and related supplies.
Source: Great Bend Tribune