News Archive
News Articles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dickinson County Non-Profit Fittingly Celebrates National Month of Hope April 11, 2025 (ABILENE, Kan.)—The H.O.P.E. Center, Inc., which serves Dickinson County, Kansas, is pleased to announce its relocation to 300 North Cedar, Suite 104, in Abilene, Kan. The larger space allows the non-profit organization to have a more visible...
Shopping during the holiday season is a savored tradition for many families and friends. Once Thanksgiving leftovers are set aside, thoughts turn to the hopeful possibilities of finding that perfect gift or purchase on Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Giving Tuesday. Much of the accompanying promotion is associated with big...
Economic development is critical to the growth and prosperity of Dickinson County’s businesses and individuals. Whether attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones or creating new job opportunities, economic development initiatives drive toward enhancing our community’s overall quality of life.Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) is excited to celebrate two national...
The third edition of a primary research study, The State of Site Selection, identifies the top trends impacting facility location decisions globally. The report is a joint release of the Site Selectors Guild (the Guild), the only association of the world’s foremost professional site selection consultants, and Development Counsellors International...
Golden Belt Heights continues to sell lots
Apr 4 2024Since the city placed a reinvestment rural housing incentive district (then called a rural housing incentive district) on the Golden Belt Heights in 2022, the city has continuously sold lots for the past two years and several homes have been built. Even an apartment building is under construction.“Considering for 15...
In an unprecedented sixth consecutive year, Abilene proudly claims its position as a finalist in the esteemed USA Today's Readers' Choice Best Historic Small Town contest.Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Director, shares, "This honor is truly remarkable! Achieving this recognition once is a significant accomplishment, and securing...
Top Three Industries See Major Boost
Mar 4 2024A look through the data collected by the Conway Projects Database in 2023 sends a clear signal that the world is under construction. In comparison to the prior year, the top industries only saw one change in the ranks, thanks in part to a multi-billion-dollar project investment boom seen around...
Jan 25, 2024 (ABILENE, Kan.)—The Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) announces Rackets Tap House in downtown Abilene has been awarded a $57,728 boost from the Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grant program. Rackets Tap House will soon begin building renovations of 303 North Broadway, Abilene, as a result.The historic...
Things are moving along nicely with the plans for a rural healthcare clinic in Herington, Kansas. Heartland Health Care Clinic (HHCC) will have a second location operating with a three-person staff very soon.After the closing of Herington Municipal Hospital, Memorial Health System (MHS) immediately sprang into action to ensure the...
Entrepreneurs are heroes and innovation is the name of the game. Entrepreneurs see problems, find solutions, and create answers. November is National Entrepreneurship Month, a month-long celebration thanks to the deserving recognition of the tireless efforts entrepreneurs consistently give. National Entrepreneurship Day is annually acknowledged on the third Tuesday of November. Dickinson...
Dickinson County is home to manufacturing companies using the latest technologies and raw materials. Manufacturing Day is the first Friday in October and expands throughout the month. We at DKEDC celebrate these companies’ employment opportunities and innovations that grow our economy.Modern ManufacturingManufacturing Month showcases the reality of modern manufacturing careers...
The Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) is pleased to announce Jessica Goodale, of Abilene, as its new Executive Director. The DKEDC executive board of directors voted unanimously to appoint Goodale, who previously served as Interim Executive Director at DKEDC, and prior to that held the position Business Retention and Expansion...
Wee Fit Kids Gym Open in Abilene
Aug 23 2023Ribbon cutting and kick-off events leap local mom’s dream into reality
Aug 16, 2023 (ABILENE, Kan.)—While children need exercise and play time in their daily life, the Kansas summer heat has reached intensity levels often too hot for extended outdoor play. Timing could not be more ideal for the...
When the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) was created, its goals were to foster excellence in parks and recreation, engage communities, cultivate public demand for high-quality parks and recreation, and elevate the role of its field. NRPA annually recognizes National Park and Recreation Month to add to that mission...
Abilene Golf and Fitness is Open for Business
Jul 10 2023July 1, 2023 (ABILENE, Kan.)— An outpouring of community representatives welcomed Abilene Golf and Fitness, LLC with a ribbon cutting event Friday afternoon (June 30), ahead of their grand opening celebration and golf tournament Saturday, July 1.
The 9-hole golf course, cart rental, swimming pool, fitness center, tanning beds, driving range and...
In the constantly buzzing world of social media and online platforms, trust and credibility are the glue that holds successful personal and professional relationships together.
It's become a lot easier to build trust with an audience in today's world, but these bonds don't happen by accident. You need to...
Kansas Commerce Department Announces Training Opportunities Available to Employers Through KTRAIN
Jun 1 2023Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the rebranding of the Kansas Workforce Aligned with Industry Demand (AID) program to Kansas Training and Retention Aligned with Industry Need (KTRAIN). In partnership with the Kansas Board of Regents, the Kansas Department of Commerce had developed Workforce AID to...
A project to install an electric vehicle charging station at the 24/7 Travel Store, 2200 N. Buckeye Ave. is on track but was delayed when the state requested planners upgrade their proposal.
Kansas Department of Transportation awarded a grant for the project in early 2022. After the grant was...
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced new grant funding that will help communities gain valuable Certified Sites designation for shovel-ready industrial sites in Kansas.
Kansas Certified Sites designation is issued when communities successfully demonstrate their property is primed for development and ready for investment, which...
Rivendell Bookstore under new ownership
Jan 13 2023Abilene’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...
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...
In finding hobby, store owner finds herself
Jan 6 2023Antique 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 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...
