Community Foundation of Dickinson County

Kansas businesses and entrepreneurs were celebrated Thursday night at the Kansas Department
of Commerce’s 2024 To The Stars Kansas Business Awards ceremony at the Great Bend
Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event recognized outstanding contributions to the state’s
economy and communities. Among the honorees, The Community Foundation of Dickinson
County was awarded the Health Care/Nonprofit Award for its innovative Invest Dickinson
County impact investing program.
The following businesses and businesspeople were named 2024 Statewide Award winners:

• Nu Life Market, Scott City — Agribusiness Award
• Midwest Energy, Hays — Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award
• Hydrograph Clean Power, Manhattan — Business Innovation Award
• Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Abilene — Health care/Nonprofit Award
• DaVinci Roofscapes, Lenexa — Manufacturing/Distribution Award
• Goodwill Industries of Kansas, Wichita — Non-Traditional Talent Pools Award
• Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods, Ellis — Retail/Service Award
• Ellie Bowman, Prickly Pear Farm & Home, Kinsley — Under 30 Entrepreneur Award
• Julie Lyon, The Cannonball Extended Stay Accommodations, Kingman — Welcome Back
  Award
  Since the program’s inception in 2020, Invest Dickinson County has played a crucial role in
  helping eight businesses and nonprofits launch, grow, and achieve success in our community. By
  providing funding, business plan support, and fostering relationships with local banks, the
  Foundation has been pivotal in driving economic growth in the region. The Foundation invested
  $500,000 from its own operating funds to kick-start the program, making it one of the state’s
  early adopters of impact investing among community foundations. This program helps to equip
  businesses and organizations with the funding tools they need to sustain themselves long-term,
  empowering them to ‘fish’ for their own success.
  Elizabeth Weese, Executive Director, highlighted the importance of local investment:
  “While many community foundations focus on returns from Wall Street, we chose to invest in
  Main Street. Our commitment to this community means we’re not just growing capital—we’re
  growing businesses, creating opportunities, and strengthening the local economy. “
  The Foundation is committed to exploring ways to create long-term, sustainable impacts at the
  grassroots level, supporting ongoing efforts in community investment and innovation across
  Dickinson County. For more information about the Community Foundation of Dickinson County
  and its programs, please visit www.communityfoundation.us or contact Elizabeth Weese at
  785.263.1863