2011

​December
 
  • Completed and signed organizational bylaws.
  • County Commissioners provided remaining funding generatred by 1 mil as a grant to Stafford County Economic Development to begin operations independently (approx. $41,000).
  • Stafford County was designated as a Rural Renewal Zone.
November
 
  • The Interfaith Housing organization was introduced to the Stafford County public.
  • Chosen as a Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship (NetWork KS) entrepreneurship community which authorized the County to sell $100,000 in Kansas Income Tax Credits.
October
 
  • Occupied a booth at the Stafford Oktoberfest
  • Hosted three seminars on business creation through the Kansas Small Business Development Center
  • Stafford County received a national award for work in economic development.  Stafford County Farm Bureau (key supporter in starting EcoDevo) was chosen as a "County of Excellence" by the American Farm Bureau Federation based on their leadership and innovative projects they sponsored during the year (entrepreneurship contest and entrepreneurship camp).
September
 
  • Governing Board was established consisting of:
                  Fairrah Haberman, President
                  Mary Jo Taylor, Vice President
                Barb Alpers, Secretary
                Chad Fisher, Treasurer
                Ned Oak, Member
                Brian Anshutz, Member
                Terry Spradley, Member
  • Established as a Kansas Not-for-Profit Corporation which significantly expanded funding opportunities, provided the Board with clear aurthority, and allowed funds to be carried from one year to the next.
  • Articles of Incorporation became certified by the State of Kansas
  • Established as a Legal Business Entity in the State of Kansas
  • Stafford County was designated as a Rural Opportunity Zone by the Kansas Legislature
  • Recorded the first segment of "Focus on Stafford County" with Steve Webster on 1590 KVGB
  • Filled a booth at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson featuring Stafford County
  • The first Rural Opportunity Zone recipients moved to St. John
August
 
  • A three-day entrepreneurship camp was hosted for 5th - 9th grade students.
​July
  • The first annual entrepreneurship competition was held at the Stafford County Fair.
  • The 1st annual photography contest was held at the Stafford County fair for residents to capture what it's like to Live, Work and Play in Stafford County.
June
 
  • Carolyn Dunn was hired as the full-time Executive Director as an employee of Stafford County on the 1st.