Cloud County Our eCommunity partners in Cloud County have found practical ways to spread resources amongst entrepreneurs in their communities. CloudCorp, the county’s economic development agency, has been able to route a host of resources and funding to entrepreneurs in every single township in the county.
but the quality of life in the county. Thriving businesses and local partnerships have helped local cultural traditions endure and grow. For example, Steve James, owner and operator of Clyde Ideal Market, which is supported by CloudCorp and Network Kansas, continues to host the Largest Watermelon Contest weigh-in at his store. The event is part of the town’s annual Watermelon Festival, now in its 126th year.
“The small towns in Cloud County are very proud of their communities.”
Originally formed in 1956 to combine numerous economic development groups in Tim Beims, Executive Director at Concordia, Clyde, Miltonvale, Glasco and Jamestown, Cloud Corp explained that the key to supporting each community CloudCorp focuses on three has been active inclusion and main pillars of community collaboration. A representative development: economic from each town holds a position development, child care, and — Tim Beims on CloudCorp’s board and are housing. Beyond businesses, Executive Director, encouraged to share information CloudCorp has partnerships CloudCorp on what’s available to their towns. with surrounding educational Tim emphasized one of the main factors in institutions, municipalities, chambers of the county’s economic growth: “The small commerce, and local leaders in banking. towns in Cloud County are very proud of their communities, and they are progressive minded The network of stakeholders makes it in terms of not just maintaining their culture, possible for the organization and its board but enhancing it and growing it.” to make thoughtful decisions when funding projects that not only impact entrepreneurs,
Clyde, KS
Population: 669 Rod Imhoff, owner of Concordia Ice, restocks ice at Clyde Ideal Market with store owner Steve James. The store was first opened in the 1940s by Lloyd Odgers. James purchased the store in 2019.
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