It’s so easy, as you are living it, to forget where you started until much later. Looking back, we tend to gain perception. The past year, 2023, has seen more growth in more ways than we have seen for quite some time in Lincoln.
Lincoln’s “free” house Starting in January of 2023, the “free” house garnered national attention. First, why would someone give away a house of any kind? People throughout the country gasped in awe at the woodwork and style still apparent in the house. Finally, a young couple, one of whom has generations-deep roots in the county, stepped up to save the home that was scheduled for demolition and arranged to have it moved to a piece of property they purchased from family members.
From watching this twostory Dutch Colonial moving down the highway to its new foundation in January, to having it displayed for all to see on a national renovation television show called “In With the Old” in December, was almost mesmerizing for those who love historic homes. Eddie and Julie Flores demonstrated the value of researching old properties, putting in the time to locate the right contractors, and expending the energy and labor required for beautiful details. All that, and the fact the home now sits on ground that has been owned by Julie’s family for three generations, makes it a most productive year for the Flores family.
Sylvan Senior Center The Sylvan Senior Center was awarded a grant in January of 2023 to begin the renovation of the old Farmer’s Elevator Building on Sylvan Grove’s main street. Up to this time the group had a building that was smaller than they’d have liked, and in need of serious repairs. The work on the “new” building was phased, allowing the Center’s membership to continue to raise funds throughout the construction. At this time, Sylvan Center members are $35,000 short of their goal to finish the renovation and are appealing to both locals and past residents of the county to help them reach their goal so progress can continue uninterrupted.
Major funding for this project has come from multiple sources including the Post Rock Community Foundation, the Dane G Hansen Foundation and the Kansas Department of Commerce.
“Other generous individuals, businesses and foundations have also helped us reach this point where the end is soon in sight,” Michael Kratky, project co-chair said.
They even have an outdoor area for their use and a fence to define the property as well as provide security. Between January through December, the members and community raised an enormous amount of funds for a community of their size, leaving only $35,000 to fulfill their goal. At this writing, their dream is about to come true!
USD298 new track It’s been a well-known local fact that the track at Mettner Field has needed repairs for quite some time, but when it became dangerous to hold meets in Lincoln, community volunteers took over, forming a committee to raise the funds and to the research necessary to replace the track, with a seemingly impossible goal of $500,000.
The USD 298 Track Fundraising Committee headed into the summer of 2023 with more than $250,000 in total cash and pledges. A whopping $20,000 was generated by a single event. The committee sponsored a Track-A-Thon in May that proved to be a tremendous success and may become an annual event.
Between June of 2021 and the end of 2022, the committee raised just over $65,000, but a $51,000 donation in January of 2023 kicked off the year in style and would signal a fantastic 2023 for the track project. Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a $40,000 match of Lincoln County ARPA funds, a $80,000 donation from the City of Lincoln, the track committee ended the year only $34,000 from its goal.
A county-wide facelift In anticipation of the 2024 Big Kansas Road Trip which will include Ellsworth and Lincoln counties along with the city of Lucas, projects were designed to “spruce up” the county during the summer months.
Each incorporated town within the county, using volunteer labor and grant funding, painted the town in projects designed by Kelly Gourley, Executive Director of Lincoln County Economic Development. Vacant buildings have been purchased and are in the process of being renovated. The Lincoln Center Improvement Committee (formerly PRIDE) has installed outdoor musical instruments in the city park and is currently raising additional funds to add to what is already there.
An additional, and perhaps most important aspect of these varying projects is the volunteer spirit that spread throughout the county. Entire communities came out to support their projects.
Another project led by Gourley, Make My Move, provided incentives for those who want to work remotely and live in a smaller and friendlier rural community where crime rates are low, and the air is clean.
LCEDF is piloting a remote employee recruitment program, working with Indiana-based firm Make My Move. The online platform and marketing strategies engage remote employees that can take their jobs anywhere and are looking for new lifestyle opportunities, with an incentive to try a new place. NWKEICI granted an additional $20,000 to help with the cost of the marketing campaign and relocation incentives. With success in attracting remote workers, this program could be implemented on a more regional basis.
The goal with the Make My Move program is to attract five remote workers to Lincoln County within 24 months with $5,000 relocation grants as part of a complete relocation package that highlights the local quality of life, recreational opportunities, small-town safety, and neighborly character. Marketing is focused to attract not just one remote worker with each incentive package, but to attract families that will also help fill other key positions in the community and bring students to our schools. The Make My Move video production crew visited Lincoln County the first week of November and interviewed several young families that have recently moved to Lincoln.
Others Among the many county residents who were honored in one way or another throughout 2023 include Austin Lebien, who in March was named 2022 Firefighter of the Year. Firefighters throughout the county are volunteers with a desire to aid and protect their communities and friends, sometimes even paying for their own training.
Another tribute goes out to Jarrod Heinze who has taken on both the City of Lincoln and Lincoln County as Fire Chief. That is a daunting task for a young farmer who supports his family through his farming and ranching.
Kudos went out to former Lincoln resident Jonathan Feldkamp. Feldkamp, a 2003 graduate of Kansas State University who was honored by the Kansas State University Carl R. Ice College of Engineering for significant early to mid-career success. Feldkamp currently resides in South Carolina where he is the senior vice president of engineering for Techtronic Industries Power Equipment, leading a team of 600 engineers in the development of 200 projects each year.
LJSHS freshman, Hazel Metz qualified for State in Track this year, her first year participating at the high school level. Eyes will be on Metz as she continues to improve through her high school career following in the footsteps of her coach, Jenna Farris.
Kimberly Meyer of Lincoln was named City Treasurer beginning November 1, replacing retiring Galen Liggett, who served the city for 40 years.
There are many more success stories from our county than those listed here, some that have caught the attention of others, and some performed by our unsung heroes.
