For more than a decade, the Nex-Tech Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) has been a reliable means of funding for local businesses across rural Kansas. The fund has loaned over $10 million to support the economy of western Kansas, and this investment has created nearly 300 jobs across the region. Some recent loans in Kansas include the renovation of rental units in WaKeeney, the opening of a new restaurant in Stockton, the launch of a new auto shop in Osborne, the start of a new restaurant in Waldo, and the launch of a new occupational therapy service in Colby. These recent activities have helped to improve the quality of life and business in the communities of northwest Kansas.

Recently, we had a visit from the junior senator representing the state of Kansas, Dr. Roger Marshall. The senator wanted to visit with Nex-Tech and the business owners, as well as see some of the impact that the partnership was having on the lives of people in the community. Senator Marshall sits on the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, both of which are relevant to sustaining Nex-Tech’s efforts to serve the people of rural Kansas.

The delegation included:

• Roger Marshall, Kansas U.S. Senator,
• Jimmy Todd, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nex-Tech,
• Rhonda Goddard, Chief Financial Officer of Nex-Tech,
• Odalis Jimenez, Field Representative of U.S. Senator Marshall,
• Madelyn Wittmer, Agriculture Liaison of U.S. Senator Marshall, and
• Taryn Graham, Executive Administrator for the CEO of Nex-Tech.

The group visited two growing businesses in northwest Kansas: 1872 Restaurant and Birdsall Automotive. 1872 Restaurant was named after the year the city of Stockton was founded, and it blends small-town charm with made-from-scratch Italian and American cuisine to create a dining experience that honors both heritage and hospitality. Birdsall Automotive is a comprehensive automotive repair shop that provides 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.

During the visit, the senator learned more about how these businesses and Nex-Tech are making a difference in the community. 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. Projects funded in the past include a local plumbing business, hospitals and health centers, a welding shop, county and city governments, a senior center, construction companies, an energy exploration firm, a fiber processing facility, and more.

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