Last Tuesday, Jan. 12, Jewell County Community Development met at the Buffalo Roam to hold its annual meeting. Kyra Lampe, economic development agent at JenRus Freelance, presented the 2021 Year Report to the JCCDA board about the organization’s accomplishments in 2021. The presentation was divided into four categories– major news-programs, new businesses-renovations, quality of life, and Hansen-Jewell County Community Foundation.

Under the category of major news and programs, Jewell and Formoso established land banks and similar discussions were held in Esbon. Furthermore, the NCK Homeownership Program made its way into Jewell County during the summer and five out of 12 spots were filled.

Jewell County Community Development now has a 501(c)3 non-profit branch, allowing it to pursue more grant opportunities. Lastly, Jewell County was excited to welcome back many popular events Mammoth Fest,Threshing Bee, and the Corn Show since the outbreak of COVID-19. Jewell County also celebrated several special events including the 150th anniversary of Burr Oak.

Next, JCCDA then reported on any businesses that renovated or expanded

in the past year. Randall Farmers Co-op Union expanded to Concordia in April. The Jewell County Historical Society received grant dollars to make updates to the museum’s heatin, ventilation and air conditioning system and displays. These updates will likely begin in early 2022.

Under the third category, JCCDA continues to be instrumental in improving the quality of life in Jewell County. One way this was achieved was through Strategic Doing meetings held quarterly throughout the year. These meetings helped identify what community members hope to see accomplished in the upcoming year. Among the needs identified were a resource guide, wayfinding signage, getting seniors more involved, greater county-wide representation in the historical society, better education about local food, and a greater online presence of businesses and organizations. Aside from Strategic Doing meetings, quality of life in the county was also addressed through the Community Health Needs Survey, the Simply Produce program launching at Kier’s, and the Career Fair Held at Rock Hills Jr.-Sr. High.

The final component of the presentation detailed the work JCCDA has done in the county with the help of Dane G. Hansen and Jewell County Community Foundation dollars. JCCDA held Ripple Effects and Asset

Mapping meetings through Dane G. Hansen Foundation to determine what

grants have done in the county over the past five years and what are the strongest community assets. In total, JCCDA directly received $75,000 from the Hansen Foundation.

Regarding the community foundation, it recorded another successful Match Month in March by raising more than $125,000. Additionally, it was instrumental in assisting Jewell County projects by granting nearly $60,000 in both the spring and fall grant rounds. The foundation launched its new website in 2021 that will allow it to better serve the community. Jewell County Community Development fostered more than $262,000 in the county and had more than a five time return on investment.

For more information about JCCDA’s work, contact Jenny Russell or Kyra Lampe at (785) 454 1194 or via email at [email protected].