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On August 6, Driving Dickinson County launched its first-ever Evening Cruise — a Business After Hours event built to connect partners, showcase membership benefits, and open the door for new businesses to see what DDC is building across Dickinson County. Here's what happened when the Hat Bar opened and the room filled up.

Three Dickinson County businesses — NextHome Unlimited, KRH Construction, and Tossed and Sauced — teamed up for a Free Fair giveaway and community hot dog feed in Abilene, building excitement ahead of the July 28 parade.

Seeing Possibility at a Railroad Crossing I've always believed that art can drive economic development. I've seen murals breathe life into downtowns. Sculptures become gathering places. Public spaces become destinations. Art attracts visitors, sparks conversations, creates pride, and often becomes an investment that pays dividends far beyond its cost. I've seen places become something more because someone had the courage to create. But today, as I waited for a freight train t

Driving Dickinson County is moving into a new chapter with refreshed leadership, stakeholder input, strategic planning and a newly launched website built to better tell Dickinson County’s story. The organization’s renewed mission, vision and values will help guide the road ahead.

Driving Dickinson County is pleased to welcome Denise Bailey as Operations and Partner Coordinator, effective June 1, 2026. Denise brings more than 15 years of experience in office administration, accounts payable, payroll management, and customer service — and a genuine passion for the kind of work that keeps organizations running and people feeling valued. Grounded in Public Service Denise's background spans both public and private sectors, including service with Pinal Coun

After more than a decade of pursuit, Driving Dickinson County has earned E-Community designation from Network Kansas — unlocking new capital, programming, and statewide connections for local businesses and entrepreneurs. Some milestones take years to reach — and some are worth every mile of the journey. Dickinson County has officially been awarded E-Community status by Network Kansas, joining a statewide network of communities committed to building stronger entrepreneurial ec

Downtown Abilene was filled with energy, conversation, classic cars, antiques, and community connection on May 9 as the annual Antique Fest and Cruise for Food brought thousands of visitors together in the heart of Dickinson County. Now in its eighth year, Antique Fest has become a tradition that continues to draw visitors from across Kansas and neighboring states — including travelers from Topeka, Kansas City, Saline County, and Nebraska. Vendors lined the streets while fami

Flint Hills Holdings Group Submits LIHTC Application, Bringing Community Support and a Vision for Residents and Downtown Investment. A Kansas City-based real estate development firm is seeking state tax credit funding to rehabilitate the Sunflower Hotel in downtown Abilene, an eight-story historic building that currently houses many adults and children and sits at the heart of the city's commercial corridor. Flint Hills Holdings Group, founded in 2014 by CEO Tony Krsnich, has

There's something new at Memorial View Park — and it's already drawing families out of their homes and into the fresh air. On Friday, May 1, the Abilene Public Library and Memorial Health System officially opened Abilene's first permanent StoryWalk®, celebrating with a ribbon cutting at the park adjacent to the hospital's walking trail. Dozens of community members of all ages showed up to mark the occasion — a testament to how deeply a project rooted in literacy and health ca

Community Action, Inc. and Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene launch Diaper Depot pilot, with an official ribbon cutting set for Monday, May 4. For parents in Dickinson County already stretching every dollar, diapers have long been one of those impossible gaps — essential, expensive, and rarely covered by assistance programs. Starting this month, that changes. Community Action, Inc. and Neighbor to Neighbor Abilene have partnered to bring the Diaper Depot program to Dickinson Count

Driving Dickinson County is launching a new lunch-and-learn business education series for Dickinson County business owners — six sessions built around practical skills, local relevance, and the belief that the most important driver in your business is you. There is no shortage of professional development available to business owners — webinars, online courses, national conferences. But most of it wasn't built for someone running a business in Abilene or Chapman or Solomon, wh

Nine communities. One incredible summer. $2,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. This summer, Dickinson County businesses have a chance to do something that's never been done here before — compete for real cash prizes by decorating their storefronts in patriotic pride, while the whole community shows up to cheer them on. Driving Dickinson County is proud to announce the Stars, Stripes & Storefront Showdown, a countywide window and facade decorating contest celebrating America's 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dickinson County Non-Profit Fittingly Celebrates National Month of Hope April 11, 2025 (ABILENE, Kan.)—The H.O.P.E. Center, Inc., which serves Dickinson County, Kansas, is pleased to announce its relocation to 300 North Cedar, Suite 104, in Abilene, Kan. The larger space allows the non-profit organization to have a more visible and accessible presence to better meet current services and future needs of the community. “This was a great opportunity t