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Message from the director
Helen Keller said it best, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Those words describe very well the amazing year that we had in 2023.
Grow Hays is blessed with a talented and dedicated staff, an engaged board of directors, and a fantastic network of partners. Some of those partners include our investors, who make the work we do possible, the Cities of Hays, Ellis & Victoria, Ellis County, The State of Kansas, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, The Schmidt Foundation, The Patterson Family Foundation, Network Kansas, Heart of America Development, The Chamber, the DHDC, Hays Medical Center and so many others. Without their help, we could accomplish little. With them, we have been able to do so “much”
There was so much positive activity in 2023 it is difficult to list it all here. Construction began on our 30,000 sq ft MicroFactory project. This facility will provide a manufacturing-friendly facility for small manufacturers for decades. 36 new homes have been completed in Heart of America’s Tallgrass addition, with another 18 under construction. Plans are underway to add another 50+ new homes in this addition in the next few years. The Grove housing development was annexed and platted, and construction on infrastructure will begin in mid-2024. The $40+ million dollar development will also feature a 14,000-square-foot community center which will house the Hays Senior Center, a childcare facility, and meeting and event rooms available for use by all community members.
You will see more details regarding our projects and activities on the following pages. Our future is bright in Ellis County, and we have much to be thankful for. I do not doubt that together, we will do “much” in 2024!
Doug Williams Executive Director
GROW
04
Our board of directors 2023
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has”
Margaret Mead
GROW
05
Our staff
Doug Williams, Executive Director
Doug was named Executive Director in January of 2019. He has a strong entrepreneurial background having founded a number of local companies including System Solutions, Inc, Infinitec, Inc., Medical Business Resources and Williams Real Estate. His extensive real estate experience has proven valuable for providing leadership and insight in Grow Hays housing initiatives.
Ernee Sly, Director of Operations
Ernee joined Grow Hays in 2007. Ernee is responsible for day to day activities of Grow Hays, including managing BriefSpace coworking space, marketing activities of Grow Hays and entities, event management, loan management and accounting functions.
David Clingan, Director of Recruitment and Retention
David Clingan joined Grow Hays, Inc. in January 2022. He is responsible for establishing and conducting GHI efforts for recruitment of new organizations to the community including commercial, industrial and retail entities. Duties will also include developing and maintaining relationships with existing businesses to understand needs, ensure retention and explore opportunities for expansion.
James Robben, Director of Business Development and Special Projects
James Robben joined Grow Hays, Inc. in June 2022. James is responsible for assisting entrepreneurs in pursuing their business goals and overseeing the many projects in which Grow Hays is currently involved. These projects include the E-Community loan program, Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, PitchIt Series, TriSpectives Series, the future Community Center, and multiple housing developments in our area.
Kris Munsch Tisa Mason Jason KennedyGROW HAYS
2023 Annual Report
Pathway To Growth
06 Our Partners
“Alone we can do so little, Together we can do so much”
Helen Keller
GROW HAYS
2023 Annual Report
Pathway To Growth
07 Our Investors
LEADER
City of Hays
Ellis County
Equity Bank
Hays Medical Center
Heart of America Development Corporation
Midwest Energy, Inc.
PWC, Inc.
Schmidt Foundation
PREMIER
Astra Bank
Commercial Builders
Emprise Bank
Insurance Planning Inc
Nex-Tech
Sunflower Electric Power Company
Werth Wealth Management, LLC
INVESTOR
Adams Brown CPA
Bank of Hays
City of Ellis
Coldwell Banker
Commerce Banc Foundation
Golden Belt Bank
Golden Plains Credit Union
Heartland Building Center
High Plains Farm Credit
Horizon Appliance
Joe Bob Outfitters
Nex-Tech Wireless
Sizewise
Sunflower Bank
Vyve Broadband
Werth Heating Plumbing & AC
“We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give”
Winston Churchill
FRIENDS OF GROW HAYS
S|G Design Co.
8th Street Liquor
Anderson Knights Architects
Brungardt Hower Ward Elliott & Pfeifer, L.C.
City of Victoria
Cloud Storage Corp
Eagle Radio
Farm Bureau Financial Services: Danny Dinkel
First Kansas Bank
Fort Hays State University
GLMV Architecture
Golden Q
Northwestern Printers, Inc.
Platinum Group
Sloan Engineering & Consulting
Tebo Investments
The Furniture Look
Tree Top Security
Turn-Key Properties
OTHER
Big D’s Rentals
Carrico implement
Field Abstract
First Kansas Bank
RE/MAX Pro
Our Programs & Events
BriefSpace Co-Working Space
E-Community Loan Program
Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship Series
Housing Rehab Program
Tri-Spective Speaker Series
Pitch-it Entrepreneur Competition
Quarterly Luncheon Series
Growing Rural Business Series
Ice House - Think Like an Entrepreneur Series
Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
Think Tank
Eagle Radio Talk Show
13
BriefSpace
BriefSpace is a coworking space with a creative environment and sense of community from like-minded professionals, independent contractors, start-up entrepreneurs and travelers who need business resources. We bring together people who work independently but are interested in being part of a like-minded professional community and creating and experiencing the synergy that occurs when working with others.
You can utilize stunning workspaces to be productive, as well as functional meeting and training spaces for networking and collaboration. We offer access to the professional services of Grow Hays, Inc. and the vibrant, diverse local business community of Hays, Kansas.
Membership has continued to grow as have bookings in the downstairs Training and Conference Rooms. Since opening in 2018, several improvements have been made including cubicles, locking offices, mailboxes, monitors on all desks, Polycom cameras, scanning capabilities, and Podcast equipment.
BriefSpace celebrated 5 years in business in August of 2023.
