Republic County Economic Development

09/23/2026

🏆 Congratulations to our final NCRPC Spirit of the Region Award recipient for 2026: Belleville Downtown Redevelopment Efforts!

Downtowns play an important role in a community’s quality of life. The Douglas family, working alongside community partners, is making a significant investment in the revitalization of downtown Belleville. Their redevelopment efforts are transforming four downtown buildings into commercial storefronts and nine upper-story apartments, bringing new activity, business opportunities, and housing to the heart of the community.

Dan, Monica, Dave, and Ashley Douglas own Belleville Hometown Lumber and are committed to making a difference in the communities where they live and work. The brothers grew up in Belleville, and one now lives there while the other lives in Courtland.

“The goal is to make these buildings viable again and improve the quality of life in our community,” says Dan. “I love where I grew up and I want it to be here for future generations.”

The downtown redevelopment is one part of the Douglas family’s broader commitment to investing in and supporting community projects.

We’ll officially present the award at NCRPC’s Celebrating Service & Partnerships event on Thursday, September 24, in Minneapolis. The event will also include a brief panel discussion with the award recipients.

Learn more about the event: https://www.ncrpc.org/post/ncrpc-invites-public-to-celebrating-service-partnerships

Belleville Chamber & Main Street
Republic County Economic Development
City of Belleville Kansas

09/23/2026

https://kansaspublicradio.org/ruralkansasrising/2026-09-23/rural-kansas-county-pays-young-people-whove-left-10-000-to-move-back

Rural communities across Kansas are losing population, often because young people are leaving. How can you get them to return? One rural county has come up with a solution: pay them to come back.

08/25/2026

Exciting news for someone who is wanting to start an in home daycare!! Please share so the word gets out!

08/18/2026

Eleven new cross-sector project teams are gearing up to make bold changes in their communities after being awarded Network Kansas' Networked Community Solutions Grants.

Over the past five years, we've partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to award $460,000, bringing our total number of projects funded to 50.

We're excited to see these projects move forward, each one poised to create momentum for lasting change.

Meet the teams: https://bit.ly/4bT4hQK

08/07/2026

Thanks to the $25,000 incentive to build in Republic County there have been 20 new homes built since 2023. We want to thank Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center for their contributions.