Pottawatomie County

Pottawatomie County is an expansive county of 551,692 acres or 862 square miles. The northern portion of the county is largely agricultural while many southern areas consist of existing and planned developments.  The county contains several cities and towns including: Belvue, Blaine, Duluth, Emmett, Fostoria, Havensville,  Louisville, East Manhattan, Olsburg, Onaga, St George, St Marys, Wamego, Westmoreland and Wheaton. Pottawatomie County is a growing county, population of 19,695 (Secretary of State 2009), with a continued expansion of new construction in the housing markets and business sectors.

The county is diversified in its businesses and industry and boasts an active Economic Development Program. Pottawatomie County has a solid tax base and the 4th lowest mill levy in the state due in part to a County government that believes in first-rate public services balanced by fiscal responsibility.  
The county is home to several excellent school systems including a High School nationally recognized for academics, two State Lakes and Tuttle Creek Reservoir.



Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) Key Contact

Bob Cole, Director
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation 
1004 Lincoln
P.O. Box 288
Wamego, KS  66547
bobcole@ecodevo.com
Office: 785-456-9776

Julie Roller, Development Associate
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation
1004 Lincoln
P.O. Box 288
Wamego, KS  66547
julie@ecodevo.com
Office: 785-456-9776



Application and Guidelines

Applications/inquires should be sent to Julie Roller c/o Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation.
Pottawatomie County E-Community Application.pdf
Pottawatomie County E-Community Guidelines.pdf

Links

Official Pottawatomie County Website

www.ecodevo.com
www.pottcounty.org/

Key Resources

Kansas Small Business Development Center at Washburn University (Manhattan Office) www.washburn.edu/sbdc
The KSBDC offers free & confidential business management counseling, including business plan development, marketing, financial analysis for existing businesses & start-ups.
 
Kansas Department of Commerce, Business Development Division, North Central Region www.kansascommerce.com
The Kansas Department of Commerce Business Development Division promotes the growth, diversification, and retention of existing business, as well as assists in recruiting new businesses to Kansas, and creating new job opportunities.
 
Kansas Department of Commerce, Office of Rural Opportunity, Eastern Region www.kansascommerce.com
The KDOC ORO serves as a contact point for rural communities seeking assistance with community development to help attract businesses, workers, and investment.
 
North Central Kansas Community Network www.nckcn.com
NCKCN Inc. provides technical support and funding resources for non-profit and for-profit entitites in North Central Kansas.
 
USDA Rural Development, Area 2 www.rurdev.usda.gov/ks/
Community & Business Programs(C&BP) encompasses a broad range of programs that can be instrumental in effecting economic development in rural areas. The diversity of the programs offer a multitude of opportunities.
 
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation www.ecodevo.com
We are a county-wide development organization engaged in marketing to potential new businesses, visitors & residents, land development & sales, local business assistance & community development.
 
K-State Research and Extension, Pottawatomie County
612 E Campbell Westmoreland, KS 66549 (785)457-3319
An informational and educational organization of the land-grant University that functions through a network of Extension offices in every county across Kansas. The educational resources are targeted to audiences of agriculture, family, community, and youth.