LENORA, KS, July 14, 2025 – Nex-Tech has made a $50,000 loan to support the effort of Birdsall Automotive to open an automotive shop and service the vehicle needs of the northwest region of Kansas. The loan was made possible through the Nex-Tech Revolving Loan Fund, which provides funds to eligible local businesses to create employment and contribute to sustaining the local economy. The loan is a testament to our commitment to making life better for the customers and communities we serve.

Birdsall Automotive, located at 117 E. Jefferson St., Osborne, KS, will provide an additional auto repair option to the towns and communities in the area and contribute to enhancing the quality of life in Osborne and the region. The auto shop will open to the public later in July and will be a comprehensive automotive repair shop providing everything from basic maintenance services like oil changes and tire repairs, to complex repairs like complete motor and transmission work. Birdsall Automotive seeks to be a true “one-stop shop” where community members can have all their vehicle needs addressed in a single location by qualified technicians.

Jimmy Todd, CEO of Nex-Tech, Jimmy Todd, said, “Nex-Tech has always been engaged in community development. We are happy to go beyond providing world-class fiber broadband and tech solutions to our communities, to also providing financial resources to eligible local businesses”.

The auto repair shop project will entail the renovation of the business location and accompanying lot in Osborne. It brought together business leaders at the Innovation Center, Nex-Tech, and the Birdsall family to make it a reality. Owners of the auto shop Dean Birdsall and Jay Birdsall said, “Working with the Nex-Tech loan program was a dream come true! It took a lot of moving parts, and Nex-Tech was able to pull it all together. Thank you, and we are excited to serve the community.” Mason Ruder, Business Services Specialist at the Innovation Center said who worked with the Birdsall to develop the business and financial plans said, “we are excited to be a part of the start-up of another business venture in northwest Kansas, and thankful to Nex-Tech for their partnership in getting this business venture underway.”

“Nex-Tech is committed to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs across northwest and central Kansas,” said Friday Otuya, Community Engagement Specialist. “We currently have over $1 million available through our revolving loan fund and are eager to help local businesses start, expand, or innovate.” Interested businesses can reach out to our Community Engagement team at econdevo@nex-tech.com.

Nex-Tech is a participant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) through which it has supported many rural projects and business initiatives, created jobs across the region, and contributed to a sustainable local economy. So far, the company has loaned out over ten million dollars, and this investment has created nearly 300 jobs across the region. 

Projects funded include a medical facility, a housing project, a local plumbing business, a motel business, hospitals and health centers, restaurants, a welding shop, county and city governments, a senior center, construction companies, an energy exploration firm, a fiber processing facility, an auto repair shop, and more.

For more information about the Nex-Tech Revolving Loan Fund, visit: https://www.nex-tech.com/about/economic-development/community-loans-grants/.