One year into Natalie Muruato’s leadership, Driving Dickinson County is moving from plans to action through business support, housing, entrepreneurship, community engagement and new resources for Dickinson County.

What makes a rural community a place people choose? A gathering in Solomon showed how community pride, shared experiences and practical ideas can become part of the economic development equation.

The City of Abilene has been awarded an $89,787 USDA Rural Business Development Grant to launch a Rural Business Accelerator Program in partnership with Driving Dickinson County, expanding hands-on support for small and emerging rural businesses.

From Dickinson County to Zurich, Driving Dickinson County CEO Natalie Muruato joined the Kansas Department of Commerce on an international trade mission to strengthen relationships, gain new economic development perspectives and ensure rural Kansas has a seat at the global table.

Economic development builds the engine, while community development builds the place. In Dickinson County, the two must work together to create vibrant communities where businesses can thrive, residents want to stay, and new opportunities can take root.