Business
Thomas County Economic Development Alliance is your partner for business. Our focus is a balanced approach to business attraction, retention, and expansion. We work with start-ups, site selectors, existing businesses, and developers alike. Our goal is to ensure doing business here is propsperous for you and our communities.
We provide many services, some of which include:
- Assistance in starting and growing your business
- Identification of prospective sites or buildings tailored to your needs
- Hands on workshops and one-on-one business advising
- Current aerial photographs and maps
- Referral and introduction to additional resources
No matter your need, we are here to be your partner.
Advantages
Since the opening of Interstate 70 and it’s crossing of Thomas County, we’ve become a natural geographic hub of investment and activity. Colby, the county seat, has established itself as the ideal place to stop when traveling between Denver, Colorado and Kansas City, Missouri. The interstate also plays a major factor in Thomas County having the state’s second highest pull factor.
Beyond accessibility, Thomas County is fortunate to have forward thinking leaders who value investment in our economy and infrastructure. Businesses looking to locate in Thomas County also regularly comment on the attention paid to quality of life issues that are important to a strong and vibrant workforce.
Local Snapshot
Entrepreneurship
Small businesses are a pillar of our communities
A entrepreneurial spirit is the lifeblood of any successful small business. In support of that, Thomas County was one of the earliest Entrepreneurship or E-Communities in Kansas. The E-Community program provides funding and resource support to startups as well as mature businesses. We also recognize our youth are essential to our future and invest in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in our local schools through pitch competitions for grades 8 – 12.
Buildings & Sites
Greenfield sites and existing buildings are waiting for you
Finding local building and sites for your business can be easily accomplished through two ways. We’re happy to visit with you individually about your needs and then provide a list that addresses them. You’re also welcome to view our available buildings and sites online using LocationOne (LOIS). LOIS is a vibrant tool where you’ll find relevant information including dimensions, ownership contacts, utility connections and more.
Incentives
State and local opportunities to foster growth
Thomas County has a robust portfolio of opportunities to make location and expansion of your business advantageous. One that is unique is the Rural Opportunity Zone program that provides incentives that assist in workforce attraction. There are also common tools such as tax increment financing, industrial revenue bonds, rural housing incentives and more. We’d welcome the opportunity to craft a package that is tailored to your specific project.
Financing
Gap financing opportunities
We locally provide gap financing to businesses through four revolving loan funds, each with their own unique attributes. Our policy is not to compete with private lenders but rather work closely with them. We look forward to working with you and your lender to assist in helping you reach the last mile.
Labor Force
Rooted in a strong work ethic
Thomas County has a strong workforce that understands the value of a hard day’s work. The benefits of having Colby Community College and a technical college in a neighboring county play major roles in preparing for the continuing workforce needs of our local economy. We also work closely with state resources to assist in workforce development programs.
Utilities
Locally owned and operated
Thomas County is served by both municipally owned as well as cooperative owned utilities. Our utilities have local offices and maintenance facilities that provide robust service to each of our communities and rural areas. The City of Colby also has additional redundancy with its own power plant.
Permitting
One local point of contact
All local permitting is handled by a single, local point of contact. This advantage dramatically shortens the timeline from concept to completion. We further have contacts at the ready to refer you to the necessary state and federal resources, should they be required.
Contact
Our full-time representatives are standing by to answer any questions about the many opportunities available in Thomas County, Kansas.
(785) 460-4511
Have a question? Call us Mon-Fri 8a-5p CST
ecodev@thomascounty.com
Drop us an email anytime