Thomas County

Thomas County Overview
Thomas County was selected as one of the first six E-Communities in 2007. With the goal of developing a new, diversified economy, the people of Thomas County have aggressively invested in infrastructure improvements capable of serving the future needs of new and existing businesses.

Three defining factors have had the greatest impact on the development of Thomas County:  Interstate 70; rich agricultural assets; and Colby Community College.  The efforts of Colby banker and legislator, August Lauterbaugh, influenced the northwest “jog” of Interstate 70 that is still sometimes referred to as the “Lauterbaugh Curve.” 

With immediate access to Interstate 70, Thomas county has emerged as an economic center for retail trade, service industries and as the employment hub of a nine-county labor basin. The population of Thomas County is approximately 8,000, making it the 52nd most populous county in Kansas. 
Read more about what NetWork Kansas is doing to help Thomas County:
Thomas County Entrepreneurship (E-) Community Helps Entrepreneur Launch New Business in Colby.

Entrepreneurship Community (E-Community) Key Contact
Christy Rocca, Director
Thomas County Economic
Development Alliance
350 S. Range
Colby, KS 67701
Phone: 785.460.4511
Email:Christy@thomascounty.com

Dale Herschberger, Chairman
Thomas County Economic
Development Alliance
350 S. Range
Colby, KS  67701
Email:zezcomm@st-tel.net
Office: 785-462-3951

Application and Process
Thomas County Application

Links
Official Thomas County Website
Thomas County Statistics

Key Resources

• Fort Hays State University Small Business Development Center (KSBDC)
  The Fort Hays State University Small Business Development Center offers free & confidential business management counseling, including business plan development, marketing, financial analysis for existing businesses & start-ups.
• Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC), Business Development Division, North West Region
  The KDOC 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.
• KDOC Office of Rural Opportunity, North West Region
  The KDOC ORO serves as a contact point for rural communities seeking assistance with community development to help attract businesses, workers and investment.
• Pioneer Country Development, Inc.
  Pioneer Country Development completes business finance packages, does financial analysis on business projects, assists with strategic planning for communities or the region, and complete Community Development Block Grants for communities.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Area 1
  USDA offers many different loan and grant programs for business start-ups and expansions.
• Thomas County Economic Development
  TCEDA helps coordinate and implement local, regional and federal resources with the goal of improving businesses’ ability to compete.
• Solomon Valley Resource Conservation and Development
  Solomon Valley RC&D provides assistance with business planning, technical details, networking and financial areas of starting or running a business.