Latest News

Friday, January 13, 2023

Abilene’s Rivendell Bookstore has changed hands. Co-founder and now-former owner Marilyn Thurlow transferred ownership of the shop to longtime manager Lisa Smegal as of Jan. 1. The ownership transfer has been in the works since July 2022, but has been the plan for both Thurlow and Smegal for much longer. Click here to read full article.

Witt starts tenure as city mayor in first commission meeting of the new year

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

In the first regular city meeting of the year Trevor Witt took the middle seat among the Abilene City Commission to begin his service as city mayor. John Kollhoff is now city vice-mayor. The commission considered two agenda items. In the consent agenda, the commissioners approved the appointments of several people to city committees. The appointments are Andrew Pankratz and Barry Arp to the Heritage Commission; Bill Marshall and Rod Boyd to the Planning Commission; Audrey Corbet and Andrea Taylor to the Sister City Board; Kimmy Phillips, Mukul Ghosh Hajra, Elizabeth Weese and Sarah Anderson to the Convention...

In finding hobby, store owner finds herself

Friday, January 06, 2023

Antique jewelry are pieces aged roughly 100 years or older; vintage is generally accepted as pieces 50 to 100 years old — anything created between 1923 and 1973. Those definitions, however, vary depending on who is asked. Industry experts such as those at Goldstein Diamonds, classify anything over 20 years as vintage, according their website. But whether jewelry is vintage; antique; or costume, which is mass produced; the antique stores in Abilene are ripe for the picking in finding unique pieces. Click here to read full article.

Dickinson County’s Economic Development Corporation’s Snapshot Review of 2022

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

As we move towards 2023, Dickinson County’s Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) would like to thank the residents, visitors, and business owners for their continued support throughout the year. It’s because of your unwavering assistance that our community continues to strengthen and grow. As the economic development team, it’s our goal to propel Dickinson County into a stable future by providing necessary resources for businesses looking to start, expand, or relocate to our modern-day Mayberry. With a robust infrastructure, affordable real estate costs, and a pro-business climate, we do all we can to remain an attractive location for current and...

Shop Small, Shop Local

Thursday, November 10, 2022

November is National Entrepreneurship Month. “A record 5.4 million new businesses were started in 2021, over 20% more than any year on record. … Entrepreneurs’ willingness to take risks, work hard, and never quit make possibilities come alive. They turn vision into reality and ideas into products, profits, and national prosperity. This month, we celebrate their contributions as a point of national pride and recommit to giving them the space and support to make sure America wins the 21st century.” - The White House Dickinson County is an attraction for entrepreneurs due to our affordable real estate, pro-business climate,...

DKEDC Celebrates Manufacturing Month

Monday, October 03, 2022

What started in 2012 as Manufacturing Day in New Jersey, became a national day in 2014. Since then, Manufacturing Day, celebrated the first Friday in October, has expanded into Manufacturing Month (MFG Month). A month dedicated to manufacturing businesses opening their doors to inspire, enlighten, and educate the next generation on becoming entrepreneurs and tradesmen in innovation and production. According to the Kansas Manufacturing Council, “The manufacturing industry employs one out of 11 Kansas workers.” DKEDC celebrates by saying, “Thank you,” to all of our local manufacturing businesses for your employment opportunities and innovations that grow our economy. We...

DKEDC Announces new Executive Director Kent Campbell

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Dickinson County Economic Development is pleased to welcome Kent Campbell as our new Executive Director. Campbell has more than 25 yeas of not-for-profit leadership experience. He has proven leadership and executive experience in organizational management, community and economic development, and grassroots community capacity building. Most recently, Campbell ran his own successful consulting business focusing on solutions for non-profits. Campbell received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, and has received several...

City of Woodbine Receives Grant

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

WOODBINE, KANSAS- At its Monday night meeting, Woodbine City Council members were surprised to receive a $57,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Dickinson County – Tracy W. Gatch Unrestricted Operating Legacy Fund. The grant funds will tuckpoint the walls of the Woodbine Gymnasium, which the community uses for special events. “We are beyond excited to receive this generous gift,” said MarySue Roller, Mayor. “This grant will help us ensure the building is available for many years to come.” According to Elizabeth Weese, Community Foundation of Dickinson County director, Gatch, a former...

DKEDC Hosts Investor Annual Meeting

Monday, August 22, 2022

ABILENE REFLECTOR CHRONICLE- ABILENE, KANSAS: The Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation met with their investors last night to show their appreciation. A presentation about Kansas’ economy by Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research in Wichita State University, followed dinner and awards. After dinner, Kent Campbell, director of the DKEDC, gave a short presentation on economic numbers in Dickinson County from 2018 to December of 2021. 429 jobs were retained or created. 73 were retained. 356 were created, 83 by new businesses and 273 by existing businesses. DKEDC has assisted 425 businesses. For projects,...

National Farmer's Market Week

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, has officially proclaimed August 7-13th as National Farmer's Market Week across the United States. As a community deeply rooted in ag and farming, Dickinson County would be amiss without an outstanding farmer's market-- and we have just that! Be sure to visit the farmer's market every Saturday morning during their open season in the Lumber House parking lot in Abilene. Check out the official proclamation below: WHEREAS farmers markets continue to provide access to safe and nutritious food in the face of market disruptions while also shortening supply...

August Business After Hours & Groundbreaking Planned for Four Seasons RV

Tuesday, August 09, 2022

August is an exciting month for the Dickinson County Partnership! As we get ready to send children back to school, prep for nights of cheering for our favorite local football teams, and prepare for some fall temperatures (hopefully...) across Dickinson County, we are excited to come back together as a business community for our August Business After Hours event, hosted this month by Four Seasons RV! Prior to the event, we will be kicking off the newest expansion at their location with a ground breaking ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. Come see how Four Seasons RV plans to expand to continue...

Proposal would Build Childcare Centers at Herington, Solomon Schools

Thursday, July 21, 2022

ARTICLE FROM THE ABILENE REFLECTOR CHRONICLE- Dickinson County plans to use funds it received from ARPA (the American Rescue Plan Act), working in conjunction with the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, USD 393 and USD 487 to build childcare facilities on school district property in both Solomon and Herington. The need for childcare in Dickinson County, throughout Kansas and the nation has long been documented through various surveys and other assessments. “We’ve been told this in untold meetings with the economic development corporation, school districts and everybody in between. We’ve heard and experienced all the issues caused by...

Dickinson County CEO Facilitator Wins Award

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

ABILENE REFLECTOR CHRONICLE- At its summer training in Effingham, Illinois, the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship named Dickinson County CEO Facilitator Brandy Gray as a “Rookie of the Year” award recipient for first-year facilitators. “I am completely honored and surprised to receive this award,” Dickinson County CEO Facilitator Brandy Gray said. “I truly enjoy being part of the students’ educational journeys; there is nothing better than seeing their light bulb moments or sense of pride when they achieve something they didn’t think was possible.” While Gray was surprised to receive the award, Dickinson County CEO board members, mentors and...

City Celebrates Golden Belt Heights East with Groundbreaking Ceremony

Friday, June 24, 2022

By Ed Boice Abilene Reflector-Chronicle An American flag flew high above about 40 city staff, county officials and community members gathered in the Golden Belt Heights, formerly known as the Highlands. Wednesday afternoon, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Heights’ east section of the residential area took place. Leading off the ceremony was Mayor Dee Marshall. Marshall started by thanking the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation, City Manager Ron Marsh and Heartland Housing Partners President Ross Vogel. Marshall also thanked Marsh for leading the commission in turning the Heights into a Rural Housing Incentive District. “It took...

DKEDC Celebrates Economic Development Week!

Friday, May 13, 2022

Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) marks the week of May 9 to May 13, 2022, as the next Economic Development Week. During this week, communities across North America will celebrate and recognize the contributions made by professional economic developers to create more economically vibrant and livable communities. Created in 2016 by International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest international professional trade association for economic developers, Economic Development Week aims to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere. “Economic developers play essential roles in...

Rep. John Barker files for re-election in Kansas House Dist. 70

Thursday, March 31, 2022

ABILENE REFLECTOR-CHRONICLE: Representative John Barker today filed for re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives serving the 70th District. “I am honored to serve my district in the Kansas House,” said Representative Barker. “During my time in the legislature, I have worked closely with Kansans to champion the issues that matter to them. Abilene and the surrounding areas have much to be proud of, as well as unique concerns, perspectives, and goals that should be well-represented by a strong voice in Topeka. I look forward to continuing to serve my state, and especially my friends and neighbors from across...

Former Brookville Hotel Building sells to Junction City Couple

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

By Dewey Terrill JC Post Charles ( Chuck ) and Deanna Munson bid $926,000 during a bankruptcy sale in Abilene on Monday to acquire the former Brookville Hotel restaurant property. Pinnacle Bank had put the property up for sale with the Munson's submitting the lone bid. They plan to open a new restaurant called Legacy Kansas, with a subtitle acknowledging both the Brookville Hotel and Munson's Prime. Charles and Deanna owned the Munson Prime steakhouse in Junction City that was destroyed by fire in February of 2021. They now plan to open the new restaurant with what...

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