I have discovered that rural economic development in small towns will always be possible if towns maximize their natural competitive advantage. What I mean is that a coastal location should focus on having economic activities around the water body already provided by nature. If a location has fertile soils, focusing on cutting-edge ways to grow crops and maximize yields may be sensible. A place with lots of energy resources should also focus on enhancing output while aiming for a low carbon footprint; and so on. Therefore, while a town of 1,500 residents economically cannot be like a city of 500,000 residents; from an outdoor/tourism standpoint, a city of 500,000 may also not offer the same outdoor opportunities that a town of 1,500 residents can offer. Here, I think, lies the competitive tourism edge of small rural towns. In rural America, we have the spaces and the places for people to roam free and unwind in nature away from the routines of everyday city life.

Recognizing this opportunity, Nex-Tech continues to support the growth of the travel, leisure, and tourism industry in northwest Kansas. We support tourist attractions like festivals, fairs, and parades. Our staff is also active in the community as volunteers for many tourism-related events. We provide free Wi-Fi hotspots for relaxation spots. We provide fiber to leisure spots like lakes, reservoirs, and campsites. We also provide connectivity in remote areas to fun seekers as they enjoy nature.

But we are also doing some work behind the scenes. We are taking an active part and supporting the work of our regional stakeholders who are working to attract tourists from the major urban centers around us. Many of our local stakeholders work under the umbrella of the Northwest Kansas Travel Council (NWKTC).

The Northwest Kansas Travel Council serves, supports, and promotes tourism in northwest Kansas. It is comprised of businesses, attractions, chambers of commerce, convention & visitor bureaus, and economic development organizations in the 18-county region of northwest Kansas. The region stretches from Smith, Osborne, and Russell Counties on the east, to the Colorado border on the west; and from Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis, and Russell Counties on the south to the Nebraska border on the north.

Nex-Tech is a member of the Northwest Kansas Travel Council. We support the group and attend meetings to maintain positive relations. The council publishes an annual guide to tourist attractions in Northwest Kansas. Click here to read the 2025 Northwest Kansas Travel Guide. A Nex-Tech ad showcasing what we do is on page 52 of the magazine (page 27 on the PDF view).