Reno County Entrepreneur Ecosystem Strategic Framework Notes

Reno County Entrepreneur Ecosystem Strategic Framework (2025-2029)

About Us

The Entrepreneurship Task Force was formed in December 2017 with the vision of providing an inclusive local system that inspires and supports innovators for a thriving economy in Reno County.
The task force aimed to understand the collective resources and challenges driving or stifling the local entrepreneurial spirit and culture.
After writing the original 2020-2024 Reno County Entrepreneurship Action Plan, the Task Force shifted into a more formal structure as the Reno County Entrepreneur Ecosystem Partnership (RCEEP).

Executive Summary

StartUp Hutch, in collaboration with multiple partners and agencies, developed a 5-year strategic framework for RCEEP.
The plan aims to strengthen the local economic ecosystem, foster innovation, and support entrepreneurs and businesses.
RCEEP seeks to create an inclusive economy benefiting the entire community by addressing needs and leveraging local assets.
Strategic areas for the next five years:
- Navigation
- Existing Business Expansion
- Youth & Under Resourced Startups
- Collaborative Entrepreneurial Supports
- Business Transitions
These priorities are interconnected and vital to Reno County’s economic health.
RCEEP is committed to:
- Transparency
- Diversity
- Meeting entrepreneurs where they are
- Leveraging Reno County’s resources and assets
Key initiatives:
- Navigation: Expand mentorship and connections, utilize Entrepreneurial Navigators, and advocate for public policy improvements.
- Existing Business Expansion: Scale up the Mastermind program and strengthen partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce.
- Youth & Under Resourced Startups: Expand the Youth Entrepreneurship Program by adding one new school annually.
- Collaborative Entrepreneurial Supports: Build public-private-philanthropic partnerships and enhance strategic communication efforts.
- Business Transitions: Promote earlier planning (three years in advance) and offer business classes for accessing loans and grants.
Equity is a priority, aiming for client base representation that reflects Reno County demographics.
RCEEP aims to achieve:
- A 5% annual increase in funding
- Expanded youth entrepreneurship programs
- Increased allocation of dollars through loan programs with matched funding
This plan represents a collaborative vision for the future of entrepreneurship in Reno County, seeking to build a thriving, inclusive ecosystem.

Mission and Vision

Vision: Hutchinson and Reno County, KS, provide an inclusive ecosystem that inspires and supports innovators for a thriving economy.
Mission: Partners working to cultivate and celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in Hutchinson and Reno County, KS, to strengthen and grow the economic ecosystem.

Guiding Principles

Promote Transparency: Ensure all processes are transparent to enhance incentives and maximize the return on investment.
Embrace and Foster Diversity: Utilize the diversity of businesses and people in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Meet People Where They’re At: Understand that each entrepreneur is at different points in the process and has unique barriers to overcome.
Leverage Natural Resources and Assets: Promote the use of physical and environmental resources available in Reno County as well as the human and intellectual assets in the community.

Our Legacy of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (by John Green)

Entrepreneurship is key to Hutchinson's foundation.
Early entrepreneurs include Emerson Carey, who:
- Moved to Kansas at 15.
- Joined a coal, hide, and building material delivery business in 1882.
- Launched his own coal and hide business with a financial backer.
- Discovered he could use coal waste to generate steam to compress ammonia to chill water and make ice.
- Built an ice plant supplying railroad refrigerator cars and a cold storage warehouse.
- Started using waste steam to evaporate brine into salt, joining the industry 14 years after Ben Blanchard's discovery.
- Started Hutchinson’s first rock salt mine in 1923 (Hutchinson Salt).
- Collaborated with Charles S. Winchester to start Winchester Packing (now a Tyson plant).
- Founded the Hutchinson Bag Company (now Hubco) with James Lee Dick.
Henry Krause invented the one-way disc plow in 1916, the nation’s first conservation tillage tool.
- Purchased the Twin Wheel Windmill factor in Hutchinson in 1928.
- Kuhn Manufacturing (France) bought the company in 2011, renaming it Kuhn-Krause.
Don Collins moved his van conversion company to South Hutchinson in 1972 (Collins Bus).
- Collins Industries became the largest Type A school bus maker in the U.S. in the ‘90s.
- Sold to Forest River (Indiana) in January 2024.
The Dillon family grew the area’s first “cash and carry” grocery store into a large chain.
- John S. Dillon opened the first grocery in 1913.
- Merged with The Kroger Company in 1983.
- By the time Ray Dillon Sr. retired in 1979, the company consisted of more than 200 supermarkets, 300 convenience stores, and 18 department stores across 11 states.
Henry Smith started a fruit and vegetable market in 1933 (Smith’s Market).
- Chris Barnes and his wife, Gail, have owned it since 2005.
Jackson Food Locker was started in 1946 by Howard Jackson and Bernard King.
- Andrew and Jeni Bryan took over in 2008.
Iconic local restaurants:
- The Anchor Inn: Antonio Flores took it over; his wife, Lus, started cooking Mexican food. Now managed by their children.
- R&B Drive-In: Founded in 1948 by Melvin Robinson and Larry Burgess; taken over by Kirk and Julia Johnson in 2016.
- Roy’s Hickory Pit BBQ: Started in 1969; operated by the Mike and Ann Armstrong family for 42 years; also taken over by Kirk and Julia Johnson in July 2024.
Other minority-owned restaurants include Bernard’s Restaurant and Catering (opened in 1981).
- Hair By Design: Laura Boone bought it in 2006.
- Shemeka Green Photography: Run by Shemeka Green.
Other examples:
- IdeaTek: Started by Daniel Friesen as a computer repair business, evolved into a high-speed internet provider.
  - Since then, with the aid of federal funding, it has deployed some 4,500 miles of fiber internet cable, serving customers in about 50 Kansas communities, and employs about 160 people
- Kincaid Equipment Manufacturing: Founded in 1967 by Delmar Kincaid, specializing in seed research equipment.
  - In 2021, they acquired Seed Research Equipment Solutions (SRES) to pairs its GPS software and innovative planter control packages with their equipment.
Businesses started by Amish and Mennonite families also contributed to the region’s economy.
- Eli Yoder built a general store and post office, leading to the village of Yoder.
- Pleasantview area has more than a dozen small businesses.
  - Tobe Stutzman’s cabinet shop (Pleasantview Home Improvement).
  - Stutzman’s Greenhouse (encompasses 24 acres).
Numerous other successful family-founded businesses exist in the county.
Besides companies with significant payrolls or footprints, they’ve been hundreds of entrepreneurs starting and maintaining small businesses in town, from barbers to builders, lawn care to engine repair, and clothing retailers to welders.

Our Progress (2017-2024)

2017-2019: Research & Planning
- A small group conversation about incubators turned into a Task Force.
- The Task Force spent a year and a half researching peer cities, conducting a survey, running experiments, hosting a town hall, and analyzing Reno County’s strengths and gaps to develop a five-year action plan.
2020: Activation
- The Quest Center for Entrepreneurs rebranded as StartUp Hutch.
- Jackson Swearer was hired as the Entrepreneur Navigator.
- New education and networking events began online and in-person.
2021: Evaluation
- RCEEP updated the strengths and gaps assessment and conducted a new survey, informing revisions to the five-year action plan.
2022: Refocus & Strengthen
- Entrepreneur engagement reaffirmed the directions to strengthen collaboration among partners and navigation of resources.
- Improve the narrative around innovation and access in the county.
- Create diverse opportunities for connections and creative capital, starting with youth.
2023: Diagnosis & Engagement
- RCEEP partnered with the Kansas Leadership Center and Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation on Heartland Together.
- A Diagnosis event was held, in which diverse partners evaluated the current local support system around entrepreneurs.
- 20 individuals then participated in a 3-day Flagship program to provide leadership development.
2024: Expand & Enhance
- Inspired by the Heartland Together experience and action projects, as well as additional data, RCEEP reassessed the framing of the leverage points in the system, leading to this next five-year action plan.

Accomplishments

Addressed gaps in entrepreneurship support, including navigation, advocacy, capital access, strategic communication, and mentoring.
Helped transform the local entrepreneurship landscape by supporting startups, removing barriers, and catalyzing economic growth.
Collaboration and Navigation:
- The hiring of an Entrepreneur Navigator in 2020 expanded connections between entrepreneurs and key resources.
- Leveraging public, private, and philanthropic partnerships, StartUp Hutch significantly increased funding and capacity, resulting in over 5 million in economic activity.
Strategic Communications:
- A rebranding in 2020 positioned StartUp Hutch as a central player in the ecosystem.
- New tracking systems and storytelling initiatives, such as “The HotSeat” podcast, highlighted local entrepreneurial successes.
- Regular events and training sessions have fostered entrepreneur connections and attracted new participants to the ecosystem.
Mentoring:
- Mentorship programs have expanded through partnerships with SCORE and NetWork Kansas.
- Initiatives like the JUMP! Program and peer mentoring models have provided essential support to entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.

Demographics

Unemployment Rate (2024): 3.2\%
Total Population: 60,946
Annual Growth Rate: -0.3\%
Race/Ethnicity: Nearly 83\% of the population is White; the Hispanic / Latino population makes up slightly more than 10\%.
Median age is 3.4 years higher than the state median age and is expected to rise from 41.3 to 42.2 in 2029.

Economic Overview

Economic Dependency Ratio: 112 (For every 100 workers, there are 112 dependent individuals)
- Kansas Economic Dependency Ratio: 97
Median Disposable Income:
- Reno County: 58,360
- Kansas: 50,169

Consumer Spending (2024) & Forecasted Demand (2029)

Industry	Consumer Spending (2024)	Forecasted Demand (2029)	Projected Spending Growth
Apparel & Services	41,468,655	46,802,706	5,334,051
Computer	4,479,954	5,055,989	576,035
Entertainment & Recreation	74,909,189	84,529,540	9,620,351
Food	198,518,610	224,035,449	25,516,839

Nearly 57\% of adults in Reno County say financial planning is complicated.
53.6\% of Reno County adults prefer to shop at locally owned businesses compared to national chain stores.
53.2\% of Reno County adults feel financially secure.

Goals and Action Steps

StartUp Hutch engaged multiple stakeholders, including 24 individuals from various organizations and the StartUp Hutch Board of Directors.
The workgroups and stakeholder interviews from these engagements instructed the development of the goals and action steps for the next five years.
Goals are separated by leverage points to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
1. Navigation: Reduce risk/barriers to entry by meeting people where they are on their entrepreneurial journey by facilitating safety, diversity, and resource availability.
- Action Steps:
  - 1.1 Strengthen the diversity, capacity, and outreach of the Entrepreneur Navigators at StartUp Hutch.
    - Purpose: Enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of entrepreneurial support in Reno County to promote economic growth with a broader spectrum of entrepreneurs
  - 1.2 Continue existing and create innovative new programming that connects potential and current entrepreneurs and business leaders through education, networking, and peer mentorship
    - Purpose: Cultivate a dynamic and collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem by promoting lifelong learning and strengthening peer support
  - Host community events to gather and showcase potential entrepreneurs and others interested in supporting local entrepreneurs and share stories across local media sources
  - Strengthen relationships and resource knowledge of ecosystem partners who act as entry points or trust points for diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners, and operationalize certain requirements, data collection, and interventions
  - Continue to advocate for policy, systems, and environment changes that improve the health, resilience, diversity, and accessibility of the local entrepreneur ecosystem
- Measurable Outputs:
  - # of clients met with ⚬ by industry type ⚬ by demographics ⚬ by location
  - # of program participants
2. Existing Business Expansion: Creating onramps for existing businesses to access coaching & connections to successfully expand (building, equipment technology, or inventory) resulting in positive economic growth.
- Action Steps:
  - 2.1 Partner with the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce to reach existing businesses
    - Purpose: Leverage established networks and resources to connect local businesses and provide targeted support for growth and expansion
  - 2.2 Reduce the sense of isolation of entrepreneurs by supporting people as they choose among competing values and building connections among entrepreneurial peers
    - Purpose: Create a supportive and connected entrepreneurial community that enhances decision-making, resilience, and growth
  - Develop and implement Downtown Master Plans for Hutchinson, Buhler, Haven, and Nickerson that foster collaboration, remove barriers to revitalization while preserving historic character, enhance placemaking around local and tourist destinations, and incentivize the productive use of Downtown spaces while discouraging blight and underutilization.
- Measurable Outputs:
  - % of $ loaned to existing businesses
  - # of jobs created by loans to existing businesses
  - # of participants in programs targeting existing businesses
3. Youth & Under Resourced Startups: Increase and strengthen community partnerships to attract and activate entrepreneurial mindsets and participation amongst our youth and all potential entrepreneurs.
- Action Steps:
  - 3.1 Continue to host the local Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge competition, expanding partnerships and participation with Reno County schools and youth programs
    - Purpose: Inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs while strengthening community collaboration to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among youth
  - 3.2 Create a roadmap with specific steps to diverse backgrounds and levels of understanding entrepreneurship and take into consideration that many in our community do not have the stability or resources to go “all-in” to start a business at once
    - Purpose: Create an inclusive and accessible framework that provides tailored guidance and support for individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of entrepreneurial understanding
  - Leverage youth programs such as Hutch Chamber’s Career Quest, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson’s Up Next, Rise Up Reno Prevention Network’s Leadership Program, Hutchinson NAACP Youth, and virtual school students to spark an entrepreneurial mindset and empower youth to design and implement programs that address their needs and aspirations
- Measurable Outputs:
  - # of new schools each year in YEC
  - # of youth programs partnered with
  - % of loans to new startups
4. Collaborative Entrepreneurial Supports: Create a connected ecosystem that empowers and advocates for growth within strategic pillars and target sectors.
- Action Steps:
  - 4.1 Create and execute plans for immediate and long-term collaborative and sustainable funding sources as part of a holistic economic development strategy that includes a strong entrepreneur ecosystem as a key strategy for local economic growth
    - Purpose: Ensure the financial sustainability and growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem while integrating it into broader economic development efforts in Reno County
  - 4.2 Continue and expand marketing and communications to establish Reno County as an inclusive ecosystem that inspires and supports innovators for a thriving economy
    - Purpose: Promote awareness, inclusivity, and engagement within the entrepreneurial ecosystem to attract and support innovators
  - Build, teach, and connect a decentralized network of tradespeople, laborers, and small-scale developers to identify community development projects, raise capital, plan, design, build, and manage
  - Ensure all entities deliver a consistent, welcoming message to entrepreneurs at every stage or entry point, foster collaboration to make on-ramps more inclusive and equitable in resource distribution, and develop a resource guide for entrepreneurs available both electronically and physically.
- Measurable Outputs:
  - Dollars raised each year
  - # clients met with (see goal 1)
  - Amount of loans each year
5. Business Transitions: Help coordinate the sale and purchase process for existing businesses.
- Action Steps:
  - 5.1 Encourage certain business classes for completion in loan and grant application processes
    - Purpose: Equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed for successful business transitions while ensuring responsible use of financial resources
  - 5.2 Develop a communications plan around informing business owners that they need to start getting their business and books in order at least three years before they intend to sell
    - Purpose: Ensure business owners are well-prepared for a successful transition by encouraging earlier planning and proactive management of their business finances
  - Generate creative outreach strategies to potential buyers, including hosting business transition lunches at churches and educating teenagers so they converse with their parents about the opportunities
- Measurable Outputs:
  - % of loans going to buyers
  - # of businesses with new transition plan
  - # of transitions helped with
Short-term action steps should be completed within 3 years, while long-term action steps should be completed between 3 to 5 years.

Evaluating Success

Clients met with are representative of the 18+ population in Reno County, KS
- 86.7% White; 3.2% Black/African American; 5.8% Multi-racial; 8.2% Hispanic/Latino
- 51% male; 49% female
- 39.9% from zip code 67501; 39.3% from zip code 67502; 20.8% from other zip codes in Reno County
Youth Entrepreneurship Programs increase by 1 school each year
Average 5% increase in year-to-year funding raised through donations
Exceed average number of dollars loaned out and associated matching amounts compared to 2020 - 2024

Our Partnerships

Lists various partners who contributed to the development of the 2025-2029 framework and 2024 RCEEP Partners.
Lists Heartland Together Participants.
Thank you to other partners who have contributed to our progress over the last 7 years.