2024- 2025 Grow Hays Operations Plan

2024-2025OperationsPlan-Summary

WeareproudofouraccomplishmentsatGrowHays,butmuchisyettobedone.Aswelookto thefuture,wefocusonpursuingourmissionofBusinessCreation,Retention,Expansion& BusinessRecruitment.

Recruitment&Retention

Recruitmentandretentionarevitalforourcommunity'sfuture.Bringinginnewretail establishmentsboostssalestaxrevenuesandjobopportunitiesandenrichesouroverallquality oflife.Similarly,attractingcommercialandindustrialentitiescreateswell-payingjobs,sparks freshcommercialconstruction,andfuelsthegrowthofourtaxbase.Despiteworkforce shortages,housingaffordabilityissues,andagingeducationalinfrastructure,recruitmentremains atoppriority.

InJanuary2022,thankstoincreasedinvestmentfromtheCityofHaysandEllisCounty,Grow HayswelcomedDavidClinganasDirectorofRecruitmentandRetention.Sincethen,Davidhas beeninstrumentalinsecuringsignificantgrants,includinga$2.63millionBASEGrantfromthe StateofKansasand$500,000grantsfromthePattersonFamilyFoundationandtheSchmidt Foundation,alldirectedtowardstheGrowHaysMicrofactory.Additionally,Davidplayedacrucial roleinadvocatingforthesuccessfulpassageofthe$143.5millionUSD489SchoolBond,which willmodernizeoureducationalfacilitiesandbolsterourcapacitytoattractnewbusinessesand remoteworkers.HeadingboththeRecruitmentandRetentionCommitteeandtheMicrofactory Committee,Davidactivelyengagesindiscussionswithnumerousretail,restaurant,and commercialbusinesseskeenonexpandingtoEllisCounty.

BusinessCreation&SpecialProjects

BusinessCreationisessentialtoourcommunity.Wemustcreateacultureofentrepreneurshipin EllisCountyandourregion.GrowHaysconductseventsandprogramsinassociationwithour RobertE.SchmidtEntrepreneurshipSeriesthatfosterBusinessCreation;however,todate,we havebeenresource-constrainedinexpandingoureffortsinthisarea.InJuneof2022,James RobbenjoinedtheGrowHaysStaff asDirectorofBusinessDevelopmentandSpecialProjects. JamesbroughtastrongbackgroundinsalesandcommunityinvolvementtoGrowHaysandhas beeninfluentialinouradditionaleffortsinBusinessCreation.HehasalsoheadeduptheImagine EllisCountyCommittee,TheNetworkKansasE-Communityloanprogramandourhousing developmentprojectsintheWheatlandAdditionandTheGrove.JameswasinstrumentalinGrow Hays'sAcquisitionofover fivemilliondollarsingrantfundingtoconstructtheBob&PatSchmidt CommunityCenterinTheGrovehousingdevelopment.

BusinessCreation

RobertE.SchmidtEntrepreneurshipSeries

TheRobertE.SchmidtEntrepreneurshipSeriesconsistsofeventstofosteranenvironment whereentrepreneurshipcan flourishinourcommunity.Creatinglocalbusinessesiscriticalin maintainingourWesternKansasandEllisCountywayoflife.Wemustprovideemployment opportunitiestoretainouryouthandattractoutsiderstoourcommunity.Thisseriesisdesigned tofosterbusinesscreationtoachievethatresult.Eventsinthisseriesinclude

NetworkKansas-YouthEntrepreneurshipChallenge

TheYECisaneventwherehighschoolstudentsinEllisCountycompeteinabusinessplan competition.Thestudentssetuptradeshowboothsandgivea5-minuteoralpresentationabout theirbusinessidea.GrowHaysconductedits firstYouthEntrepreneurshipChallengeinMarchof 2019andhasconductedYECeventsannuallysincethen.ThewinnersinourlocalYECeventcan competeintheKansasEntrepreneurshipheldinManhattaneachspring.GrowHaysPlansto expandtheYECeventin2023toincludestudentsfromHaysHighSchool,ThomasMorePrep, EllisHighSchool,andVictoriaHighSchool.

TriSpectiveSpeakerSeries

TheTriSpectiveSpeakerSeriesisaneventwhereguestspeakersgive15-minute“TEDTalk” presentationsonvarioustopics.Theeventsfeaturespeakerswhohavediscussedmarketing, branding,marketsegmentation,productpositioning,andentrepreneurship.

PitchIt

PitchIteventsare“SharkTank”typeeventswithpresentationsmadebypeoplewithideasfor newbusinessesandpotentialbusinessstartups.Eachpresentergivesa5-minutepresentationof theirbusinessideatothreejudges.Participantsthenanswerquestionsfromthreejudges.Each eventfeatures fivepresenters,withthe firstandsecond-placewinnersreceivingcashprizes.

GrowHaysQuarterlyLuncheons

TheseluncheonsprovidecommunitymemberswithupdatesregardingGrowHaysactivitiesand educationoneconomicandcommunitydevelopment.TheGrowHaysQuarterlyLuncheonsare availabletoallcommunitymemberswhowishtoknowmoreaboutouractivitiesandprojects.

IceHouse/HowToThinkLikeanEntrepreneur

TheKansasIceHouseEntrepreneurshipProgramisan8-weekcertificateprogramthatdevelops entrepreneurialskillslikecriticalthinking,communication,problem-solving,andothervitalassets. InspiredbythelifestoryofPulitzernomineeCliftonTaulbert,theIceHouseEntrepreneurship ProgramwascreatedbytheKauffmanFoundationasapowerfullearningprogramdesignedto educateandengageparticipantsinthefundamentalaspectsofanentrepreneurialmindset

E-CommunityLoanProgram

GrowHaysprovidesgap financingtostartupsandexistingbusinessesthroughapartnershipwith NetworkKansas.Theloans,upto$150,000,withattractiveinterestratesandrepaymentterms, allowborrowerstobridgethegapbetweenwhatalenderwillloanandwhattheyneedforthe project.GrowHayscurrentlyadministersapproximately34loansforlocalbusinessestotaling almostover$1,300,000.

BriefSpace

BriefSpaceisacoworkingspacelocatedat219W10thStreetinHays.Itisover7,000sqftand providesalternativeofficespaceforhomeofficeworkers,mobileworkers,smallteams,and startupsseekingaprofessional,cost-effectiveenvironment.Thespaceincludesaccessto resourcessuchashigh-speedinternetconnectivity,meetingrooms,andtheopportunityto collaboratewithothers.OccupancyandusageofBriefSpacehavebeenveryhigh,andthefacility continuesto fillanimportantneedinourcommunity.

GrowHaysMicroFactory

March13th,2024markedamonumentalachievementforGrowHayswiththeribboncuttingand openingoftheir$4.3million30,000-square-footMicroFactory.Supportedbyadiversearrayof grantsfromentitiessuchastheStateofKansasBASEGrantprogram,ThePattersonFamily Foundation,andTheSchmidtFoundation,alongsidesubstantialcontributionsincludingaland donationfromtheHeartofAmericaDevelopmentCorporationandaninterest-freeloanfromthe NorthwestKansasEconomicInnovationCenter,thisinitiativeispoisedtosupportmanufacturing startups,fostersmallindustrialexpansion,andpotentiallyattractlargerindustrialbusinessesto theregion.

TheMicroFactory'smissionistogrowtheworkforcebyprovidingaffordable,purpose-built spacestailoredtotheuniquerequirementsofmanufacturingstartups.GrowHaysaspiresto cultivatepotentialstartupsthroughthisinitiative,supportingthemtowardsustainablegrowthand development.Moreover,thestrategicapproachoffacilitatingtheseamlesstransitionofstartups andgrowingbusinessesfromtheMicroFactorytotheirindependentfacilitiesensuresthe establishmentofarobust,self-sustainingecosystemofsupportforemergingventures,thereby fortifyingthelong-termeconomicresilienceofEllisCountyandNorthwestKansas.

ConsultingServices

GrowHaysprovidesbasicconsultingservicesandconnectsprospectiveandexistingbusiness ownerswithresourcestoassisttheminstarting,operating,orgrowingtheirbusinesses.These servicesincludeassistingwithbusinessplanreview, financingviaEllisCountyE-Communityloan funds,orconnectingbusinessownerswithprofessionalresources,includinglegal, financial, accounting,andmarketingservices.

BusinessRetention&Expansion

BusinessRetentionandExpansionarecriticalcomponentstothelong-termsuccessandviability ofourcommunity.Wecannotaffordtoloseemployersandmustfostergrowthandcontinuity amongexistingbusinesses.

SuccessionPlanning

Wefaceacriticalchallengewithintheexistingpopulationofbusinessownersduetoalackof successionplanningamongthesebusinessowners.Withanagingdemographicofbusiness owners,itiscrucialthatsuccessionplanningbeconsideredtoensurethatthesebusinessesare soldandnotclosed.GrowHayswillcontinueprioritizingsuccessionplanningeducationand assistancewithintheexistingbusinesscommunity.

GrowingRuralBusiness

The8-weekcertificateprogramprovidespractical,appliedinformationandexamplesnecessary fortodayʼsruralcommunities.TheGrowingRuralBusinessesModelisacertificateprogram customizedforruralbusinesses.Participantsreceiveacomprehensive,practicalapproachto businessandtheresourcesneededtosucceed.GroupdiscussionsfacilitatedbyWichitaState UniversityCenterforEntrepreneurshipstaff provideinsightsonapproachingandsolving challengeseffectively.

DestinationBootcamp

This2-1/2daytraininginLongmont,CO,isforbusinessownerswhowanttoacceleratetheir learningcurveandreceivein-depthinstruction,strategies,andspecifictacticstobecomea dominant“DestinationBusiness”preferredbycustomers.Internationallyrecognizedbusiness expertJonSchallertteachesa14-stepstrategytoturnbusinessesandcommunitiesinto destinations.TheCommunityReinventionProgramsendsagroupof6+businessownersanda communitycoordinatorfromacommunitytothesameDestinationBootCamp®session.It includesfollow-upconsultingandanon-siteworkshop.

BusinessRecruitment

BusinessRecruitmentremainsthesinglemostchallengingobjectiveforGrowHays.With workforceshortages,highlandandhousingcosts,regionaldepopulation,andtherecent pandemic,recruitmentoflargeemployersorretailestablishmentsischallenging.Thatsaid,Grow Haysisactivelyengagedinseveralprojectsaddressingtherecruitmentchallenge.

Housing

HousingRehabProgram

TheGrowHaysHousingRehabprogramisaninitiativethatoriginatedwitha$400,000grant fromtheDaneG.HansenFoundation.Theprogramwasimplementedtoprovidemoreaffordable housingtotheEllisCountyRealEstatemarket.Theprogramprovides financingtoproperty developerstorehabilitatehomesinEllisCounty.Qualifieddeveloperscanborrow100%ofthe propertyacquisitionandimprovementscostinterest-free.Thedeveloperhasninemonthsto completeimprovementsandreselltheproperty.Uponcompletionoftheimprovements,the propertymustbesoldtoanowner-occupantandcannotsellformorethan$275,000.Todate, GrowHayshas financed14rehabprojects.

Tallgrass2ndAddition

In2021,HeartofAmericaDevelopmentCorporationcompletedtheinfrastructurefor36lotsin Phase1oftheTallgrass2ndAddition.Sincethen,newhomeshavebeenconstructedonalllots andarecurrentlyoccupied.Inaddition,the18lotsinPhase2havebeencompleted,and constructionisnearingcompletiononthosehomes.AllofthehomesinPhase2havebeensold beforethecompletionofconstruction.Inthesummer2024,infrastructureconstructionwillbe completedonPhase3onWheatlandDrive.All12lotshavebeensold,andtheconstructionof newhomeswillcommenceuponcompletionofthestreet.

EngineeringworkhascommencedonPhases4and5,whichwillbelocatedonthe21acresto thenorthofPhases1-3.Whencompletelybuiltout,theTallgrass2ndAdditionwillcontainmore than125single-familyhomes.

EllisHousingProjectandNeighborhoodRevitalizationProgram(NRP)

TheutilizationofTaxIncrementFinancing(TIF)hasbeenpivotalinpropellingthedevelopmentof infrastructurefor12lotsinEllisbyHessServices.Thisdemonstratesaproactivestancetowards nurturingsustainedhousinggrowthinthearea.Withongoingprogressininfrastructurework,the outlookforfurtherexpansionofresidentialhousingremainspromising.

Furthermore,therecentapprovalofanentirecityNeighborhoodRevitalizationProject(NRP)in Ellismarksasignificantmilestone.Thisinitiativeincentivizesresidentstorejuvenateandenhance theirproperties,reinforcingthecommitmenttoelevatingthecommunity.Beyondaddressing immediateinfrastructureneeds,theNRPlaysasturdygroundworkforfuturedevelopmentand communityprosperity.

Throughstrategicinvestmentinrevitalizationeffortsandincentivesforpropertyredevelopment, Ellisispositionedtocultivateamoreappealinganddynamicenvironmentforresidentsand businesses.Thisencompassingapproachunderscoresthecity'sunwaveringdedicationto fosteringsustainablegrowthandenhancingthequalityoflifeforallcommunitymembers.

Multi-FamilyProjects

TurnkeyProperties,LLC-4th&Fort

TurnkeyProperties,LLCiswellunderwayondevelopinga33-unitapartmentcomplexlocatedat 4th&FortStreetbehindtheformerWashingtonElementarySchoolSite.Theconstructionofthe apartmentsiswellunderway,withonebuildingcompletedandtwoothersscheduledfor completioninthesummerof2024.

EllisEstates

Constructioncontinuesona42-unitexpansionofEllisEstatesonEast33rdStreetinHays.The unitsfocusonretiree-agedtenants,andtheprojecthasconsistentlyoperatedataverylow vacancyrate.Theseunitswillofferattractivehousingforretireeswishingtorelocatetoour communityorthoseinterestedindownsizingfromtheirexistinghomes.

Retirees

The2019EllisCountyDevelopmentOpportunityProfilecompletedforGrowHaysbyNetwork Kansasidentifiedretireesasthecounty'slargesteconomicdriver.Thisinformationtellsustwo things.

1)Itisimportantthatwekeeptheretireeswehave.

2)Thereisanopportunitytorecruitadditionalretirees.

Wehavemuchtoofferretireesinourcommunity,includingasafeenvironment,quality healthcare,transportation(I-70,airtravel,etc.),andeasyaccesstoshopping.However,wedo havesomeshortcomingsthatweareworkingtoaddress.Retiree-friendlyhousingisnotreadily available.Wealsodonotoffersufficientaccesstoretiree-relatedactivities.Weareworkingon solutionstotheseshortcomings.Ifwecanresolvethem,wewillbeinanexcellentpositionto retainourretireesandrecruitnewretireestoourcommunity.

TheGrove

InFebruaryof2023,GrowHaysannouncedtheacquisitionof21acresdirectlyadjacenttothe HaysMedicalCenterCampustoconstructmulti-familyhousing,retiree-friendlyhousingunits,and acommunitycenterthatwillhouseachildcarefacilitycapableofcaringforupto77childrenand theHaysSeniorCenter.TheGrovewillconsistofmulti-familyapartments,duplexes,and single-familyhomes.

BobandPatSchmidtCommunityCenter

In2023,wesecuredover$5millionindonationsfromtheCapitalProjectsFundAccelerator,The CityofHays,TheDaneG.HansenFoundation,HaysMedicalCenter,andThePattersonFamily FoundationforconstructingtheBobandPatSchmidtCommunityCenter.

The+14,000-square-footcommunitycenter,thenewhomefortheHaysSeniorCenter,anda childcarefacilityisaversatilemulti-usespacethatmarksasignificantmilestoneinenhancingthe qualityoflifeforEllisCountyresidents.Itispoisedtofacilitategrowth,learning,andthrivingfor childrenandolderadults,creatingawelcomingenvironmentforsocializationandaccessto resourcespromotinghealthyaging.Embracinganintergenerationalapproach,theprojectfosters socialinteractionbetweenchildrenandseniorswithinasharedcommunityspace.The CommunityCenterwillplayacrucialroleinsupportingearlychildhooddevelopmentandprovide aconvenient,accessiblevenueforfamiliestoparticipateinprograms,fosteringmeaningful connectionsacrossgenerations.

ConstructionontheCommunityCenterwillcommenceinEarlySummer2024,usheringina transformativeeraforthecommunity.

Exit15724/7TruckStop

Theapprovaloftheincentivepackageforthe24/7TruckStopTravelPlazain2024isamajor milestone,withinfrastructureconstructionsettobeginbyyear'send.Oncecompleted, businesseswithinthisdevelopmentarepoisedtobenefitfromcapturingsalesrevenuefrom trucktrafficandtravelersonInterstate70andHighway183.Thisinitiativepromiseseconomic growthfortheareaandimprovesconvenienceandaccessibilityfortravelers,thereby strengtheningthelocaleconomyandpromotingcommunitydevelopment.

Recruitment-Retail/Industrial/Commercial

Recruitmentiscriticallyimportanttothesustainabilityofourcommunity.Retailrecruitmentis essentialtolocalgovernmentalentitiestoenhancesalestaxcollections.Incontrast,commercial andindustrialrecruitmentisneededtoprovidecompetitive-payingjobsandtosustainandgrow ourpopulation.Wefacesignificantchallengesinrecruitment,includingworkforceshortages,lack ofaffordablehousing,andavailabilityofaffordablechildcare.Despitethesechallenges,progress isbeingmadeinhousingavailability,andtheChildCareTaskForce,organizedbyTheChamber ofHays,isworkingdiligentlytoaddressChildcareissues.

BigCreekCrossing

BigCreekCrossingisexperiencingcontinuedgrowth,withtheanticipatedopeningofAutoZone inearlyJulyaddingtoitsdiverseretailofferings.Boastingawidevarietyofstores,including JCPenney,Bath&BodyWorks,Bling,Buckle,FamousFootwear,FoxyNails,Glik's,GNC,Harbor Freight,Maurices,Ollie's,RiddlesJewelry,SimplePure,ProImageSports,DollarTree, TradeHomeShoes,andBinShop'n,theshoppingcenterprovidesampleoptionsforshoppers. Additionally,amenitiessuchasStarbucks,ImperialGarden,AMCTheatre,EliteCheer&Dance, andtheHaysMedWalk-InClinicenhancetheshoppingexperience,makingBigCreekCrossinga one-stopdestinationforretail,entertainment,andhealthcareneeds.

CityofHays-I-70&CommerceParkway

GrowHaysisactivelyexploringpotentialcommunityexpansiononthe91acrestheCityofHays ownsattheintersectionofCommerceParkwayandInterstate70.Thelocationprovidesahighly accessible,cost-effectivealternativetoretaillocationsonNorthVineStreet.

ImagineEllisCounty

ImagineEllisCountyisaGrowHaysCommitteeconsistingofover25localcitizenscommittedto ensuringthequalityoflifeweenjoyinEllisCountywillcontinueforgenerationstocome.Witha missionof Imagine,develop,andimplementacollaborativestrategicvisionforourcommunityand region, thecommittee,whichoriginatedintheDaneG.HansenFoundationStrategicDoing process,hasconductedinterviewswithlocalbusinessleadersaswellasheldTownHall meetingsinHays,Victoria,andEllis.Inaddition,thecommitteehascreatedaseriesofvideosthat featurelocalcitizenstalkingaboutwhytheylivehereandwhattheyvalueinourcommunity.The videosrepresentavarietyofagedemographicsandalsocitizensfromEllis,Victoria,andHays.A generousgrantfromtheSchmidtFoundationhasallowedtheproductionofthesevideos.It allowsustodistributethesevideostometropolitanareasthatthecommitteehasdeterminedare themostlikelytohavepeoplelookingforabetterwayoflife.

LocalResourcePartners

GrowHaysworkscloselywithlocalorganizationsthatarealsodedicatedtopromotingbusiness prosperityandqualityoflifeinEllisCounty,includingTheHaysAreaChamberofCommerce,The DowntownHaysDevelopmentCorporation,DPManagement(OwnersofBigCreekCrossing,), theHaysConventionandVisitorsBureau,KansasWorks,TheKansasDepartmentofCommerce, TheCityofHays,CityofEllis,CityofVictoria,EllisCounty,andmanyothers.

HeartofAmericaDevelopment-SouthCommerceParkway

GrowHaysworkscloselywiththeHeartofAmericaDevelopmentCorporationindevelopingtheir industrialpropertyonSouthCommerceParkway.Thepropertycomprisesapproximately80acres ofgroundwell-suitedforindustrial/distributiondevelopment.In2021,twolocalbusinesses purchaseddevelopedlotsinthisaddition.InMayof2022,HeartofAmericaDevelopment donateda6-acretracttoGrowHays,onwhichtheGrowHaysMicroFactorywasconstructed. HeartofAmericaDevelopmenthasbeenanessentialpartnerindevelopingcommercialand residentialsitestoremedyourhousingshortages.

GrowHaysHistoricalInvestments

2023-2024OperatingBudgets