Six Rural Communities Selected to Accelerate their Tech Economies in Kansas and Missouri
Meet the six rural communities selected for CORI’s Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative, an 18-month journey to accelerate tech growth and spark new opportunities across Kansas and Missouri.
The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is thrilled to announce the six communities chosen to participate in the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative, a new 18-month program, funded by the Patterson Family Foundation, designed to help rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri accelerate their tech and innovation economies.
Following a highly competitive application process, we’re proud to welcome the following communities whose vision, momentum, and leadership stood out:
- Allen County, KS
- Cloud County, KS
- Coffey County, KS
- Crawford County, KS
- Ellis County, KS
- Vernon County, MO
Each is represented by a team of local leaders dedicated to expanding opportunity and building a future where innovation thrives in their region.
Through this initiative, these communities will receive a customized tech economy assessment and strategy, hands-on implementation and funding-readiness support, opportunities to learn from peers across the Heartland, and a chance to come together at a regional innovators summit.
The strength and creativity of this applicant pool reflect something consistently seen across rural America: communities with big aspirations and the determination to make them a reality. CORI is excited to partner with this group of incredible rural communities as they build momentum, unlock new possibilities, and continue shifting the narrative about what’s possible for rural communities.
More about each selected community is below.
Allen County, Kansas
Allen County stands at a moment where collaboration, momentum, and community pride are converging to open the door to a new era of innovation. Rooted in agricultural and manufacturing strength—and home to nationally recognized companies like B&W Trailer Hitches and Precision International—the county has a long history of ingenuity and craftsmanship. Today, that legacy is evolving into a more diverse economy shaped by advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and education. As Jessica Thompson, Deputy Director of Thrive Allen County, reflects:
“Allen County has never lacked for creativity or grit. What we’re building now is the strategic direction to turn that spirit into long-term opportunity for every resident.”
Recent years have brought unprecedented countywide alignment. Thrive Allen County, local governments, educational institutions, and employers have united around shared priorities—expanding apprenticeship pathways through Allen Community College, preparing industrial sites for new business attraction, and launching a countywide Makerspace to support entrepreneurs and students alike. The transformation of the former Lehigh Portland Cement plant into Kansas’ newest state park symbolizes Allen County’s ability to turn historic strengths into modern opportunity.
Through the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative, Allen County aims to translate this momentum into a cohesive, long-term strategy that strengthens tech talent pipelines, expands support for entrepreneurs and small manufacturers, and positions the county for sustained, innovation-led growth. With strong leadership and a culture of collaboration, the county is ready to shape a future that honors its past while embracing what comes next.
Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County has a bold vision and strong homegrown capacity. Long known as farm country, the community has deep roots in agriculture, agribusiness, and education, and is now working to add new tech-driven opportunities to that foundation. With CloudCorp coordinating local efforts and Cloud County Community College (CCCC) serving as a regional hub for drone technology, renewable energy, IT, and advanced manufacturing, the county has built a broad coalition of partners across K–12 education, healthcare, utilities, regional planners, and international technology firms. As Tim Beims, Executive Director of CloudCorp, shares:
“This is a transformative moment for Cloud County… a chance to redefine our community’s trajectory as a hub of rural innovation.”
That momentum is captured in CloudAID, an ambitious effort to build a drone-enabled “last-inch” logistics network delivering medical and pharmacy services across rural areas. Developed with partners including CCCC, Valqari, the North Central Kansas Regional Medical Center, and NCRPC, CloudAID aims to solve real challenges around rural access while training residents for high-demand careers in UAS, AI, robotics, and advanced fabrication. At the same time, proposed utility-scale energy projects and emerging natural hydrogen development could open the door to new manufacturing, data centers, and tech-based businesses along the US-81 corridor.
By joining the initiative, Cloud County is seeking the strategy and support needed to turn these opportunities into long-term economic resilience. With strong partnerships, recent investments, and a community ready to “dream big and start taking steps around a rallying point,” Cloud County is poised to take flight into a future shaped by rural innovation.
Coffey County, Kansas
Coffey County enters the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative with momentum, collaboration, and a clear sense of identity. Anchored by its agricultural heritage and a highly skilled workforce shaped by the Wolf Creek Nuclear Generating Station, the county has evolved into a place where technical excellence and forward-looking ambition meet. Today, Coffey County is home to emerging advanced manufacturers, a growing remote workforce, and strong partners, from Flint Hills Technical College (FHTC) to the Pittsburg State University SBDC, working together to build an environment where innovation thrives. As Economic Development Director Jenny Tatman notes:
“We are not looking for a program to start our fire; the fire is already burning in Coffey County. We are looking to focus that energy, build a durable framework for growth, and ensure our community becomes a leading example of rural innovation in the Heartland.”
Companies like EMP Shield and Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing show how high-tech industry can take root in rural communities. Meanwhile, FHTC’s expanding programs in energy, IT, precision ag, and power plant technology are preparing residents for the jobs of the future. Collaborative initiatives, from unified county branding to regional marketing partnerships, are strengthening the county’s capacity to support entrepreneurs, attract talent, and address local challenges with new tools and ideas.
Through HRII, Coffey County aims to channel its momentum into a data-driven, forward-looking strategy that fuses its legacy in energy with its growing strength in advanced manufacturing and digital skills. With aligned partners and a fire already burning, Coffey County is ready to build a future where rural innovation is not just possible, but expected.
Crawford County, Kansas
Crawford County brings a long history of reinvention to the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative. Once a coal mining and manufacturing center, Pittsburg and its surrounding communities have steadily grown into a regional hub for advanced manufacturing, higher education, healthcare, and logistics. Pittsburg State University (PSU) serves as a powerful engine for this transformation, partnering with employers, K–12 educators, and regional organizations to strengthen workforce pathways and cultivate entrepreneurship. As Marissa Poppe, Director of Community Relations for PSU’s Research and Economic Development team, notes:
“Our region has a long history of resilience and reinvention. Now, we’re ready to take the next step by building a stronger, more connected innovation ecosystem that opens doors for every resident in Southeast Kansas.”
This spirit is evident across the county. PSU’s ConnectED initiative aligns regional educators and employers around shared workforce goals, while the Foundry at Block22 has created a vibrant gathering place for entrepreneurship, learning, and community engagement. Investments across PSU’s Research + Innovation District—including the KBI Crime Center and new Prove-Out testing facilities—underscore a growing research footprint and deeper industry-academic collaboration. With more than $700 million invested in new development over the last decade, the region is in an unprecedented period of opportunity.
Through this program, Crawford County aims to strengthen its digital and tech-driven economy by expanding entrepreneurship, improving access to capital, and better connecting towns across southeast Kansas into a cohesive regional network. With strong institutional support from the Kansas SBDC and hands-on learning opportunities for students and entrepreneurs, the region is well-positioned to grow as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
Ellis County, Kansas
Ellis County is experiencing rising engagement, deep local pride, and a growing sense that transformative change is within reach. Historically rooted in agriculture, gas, and oil, the county has steadily diversified into education, healthcare, manufacturing, and early-stage tech sectors. Fort Hays State University (FHSU) plays a critical role in this evolution, strengthening ties between the university and the community through its new Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development. As Benjamin Schears, who holds this role, observes:
“We’re building up steam all across Ellis County, hustling to make things happen. What we need now is a unified direction to help guide our momentum into long-term, meaningful change.”
Across the county, that momentum is visible. Grow Hays is supporting entrepreneurs through its MicroFactory and BriefSpace coworking hub. The Chamber is building career pathways connecting employers and high schools. New housing and childcare investments are helping families put down roots, while FHSU and regional technical colleges are aligning skilled-trades programs under a shared vision for workforce growth. These efforts reflect a community ready to move from siloed progress to coordinated, ecosystem-level action.
By joining HRII, Ellis County seeks the structure, partnerships, and strategic clarity needed to convert its momentum into lasting impact. With a strong mix of local businesses, a revitalized downtown, and institutions like Nex-Tech driving regional tech capacity, the county is well-positioned to shape a future where innovation becomes a signature part of life in Western Kansas.
Vernon County, Missouri
Vernon County enters the Heartland Rural Innovators Initiative with extraordinary alignment and a shared belief in the community’s potential. Rooted in agriculture and manufacturing, the county is embracing a new chapter shaped by collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to strengthening rural opportunity. With the City of Nevada, the City of Sheldon, county leaders, employers like 3M and Agzaga, and local educational institutions working together, Vernon County is building momentum toward a more dynamic innovation economy. As Executive Director Tina Cochran of Build Vernon County explains:
“We envision a community where everyone, no matter where they start or who they are, has a place to thrive. A place built not on dependence, but on ideas, creativity, persistence, and technology that sustain the rural lifestyle we love.”
As Build Vernon County relaunched in 2025, partners recognized the importance of a cohesive strategy to bring together the county’s growing assets: business coaching, maker-space programs, talent development efforts, a Women’s Business Center, and community events like First Saturday on the Square that showcase local entrepreneurs and artisans. The missing piece has been a unifying framework to connect these efforts and shape long-term transformation.
Vernon County is ready to take that next step, linking local strengths with national expertise, deepening regional collaboration, and defining a clear path toward a thriving rural innovation economy. With aligned leadership, a growing base of innovators, and a commitment to inclusive opportunity, Vernon County is writing a new story of rural transformation and resilience.