One Year in the Driver’s Seat: Driving Dickinson County Builds Foundation for What Comes Next
Dickinson County, Kan. — One year after stepping into the role of President and CEO, Natalie Muruato says her first year leading Driving Dickinson County has been as much about listening and rebuilding as it has been about launching new programs and pursuing new opportunities.
Muruato joined the organization when it was still known as Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation. Over the months that followed, she traveled throughout the county, toured businesses, met with community leaders and residents, and worked with the board to clarify the organization’s role in supporting businesses and communities.
“I knew there was work to be done,” Muruato said. “What I didn’t fully appreciate was just how much I would learn about Dickinson County, its businesses, its communities, and the people who make this place special.”
Those conversations helped shape a broader organizational transition. Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation became Driving Dickinson County, with a mission to drive business growth and empower communities through leadership, resources and advocacy.
The organization also began using a phrase that Muruato says captures much of its work: We Turn Connection Into Action.
That can mean connecting a business owner with financing or technical expertise, bringing public and private partners together around a housing project, helping a community identify resources or simply making an introduction that helps move an idea forward.
Board Chair Kenny Roelofsen said one of the most noticeable changes during Muruato’s first year has been the emphasis on moving from discussion to implementation.
“What I’ve seen most clearly over the past year is that we’re moving from plans to action,” Roelofsen said. “We’re not just talking about housing or economic growth. We have a plan, people around the table and work underway.”
Roelofsen said Muruato has worked closely with the board to reorganize the organization, update policies and address immediate opportunities while also developing longer-term plans.
“The willingness to go do it is what stands out,” he said. “She acts.”
New resources and opportunities
During Muruato’s first year, Driving Dickinson County and its collaborative partners secured $315,627 in grant funding supporting entrepreneurship, business development and rural business health.
Funding includes $89,787 for the USDA Rural Business Accelerator, $10,000 for Young Roots Market and $215,840 through the Rural Business Health Initiative. The organization also achieved Network Kansas E-Community status, creating another avenue for entrepreneurship assistance and business financing.
Muruato said the awards are important, but the larger measure of success will be what those resources ultimately accomplish.
“We are creating opportunities for young people to explore entrepreneurship, helping emerging businesses get started, and providing existing businesses with resources to remain healthy, competitive, and positioned for growth,” she said.
Dr. Jarad Waite, owner of Family Eye Care of Abilene and a Driving Dickinson County partner, said he has noticed a stronger effort to engage existing businesses during the past year.
“I’ve noticed that Natalie is trying to engage in and touch base with as many current businesses as she can,” Waite said, citing DDC’s participation in ribbon cuttings, Morning Drive and other community events.
Waite said continued visibility will help businesses better understand DDC as a resource and give the public a clearer picture of the organization’s impact.
"It’s important for the public to understand the grant funding Natalie has helped bring to Dickinson County,” he said. “Seeing those resources put to work and the results they create will help people understand the impact of that effort.”
A broader approach to economic development
Muruato has also worked to broaden the public understanding of economic development.
Business recruitment remains an important part of the organization’s work, but DDC has increasingly focused on the conditions that allow businesses and communities to grow, including housing, workforce, entrepreneurship, downtown investment and quality of life.
“A business cannot expand if its employees cannot find housing,” Muruato said. “An entrepreneur cannot succeed without access to resources and financing. A downtown cannot remain vibrant if its buildings continue to deteriorate. And a community cannot attract families if we aren’t paying attention to quality of life.”
Housing has emerged as one of the organization’s major priorities.
Roelofsen, who also serves as a Dickinson County commissioner, said he is encouraged to see housing discussions developing into a coordinated effort involving DDC, local governments, board members and private development interests.
“It goes from a plan to action,” he said. “We’re doing what we’re supposed to do.”
He said that kind of coordination demonstrates the value of having a local organization capable of bringing people together, maintaining relationships with state agencies and helping complicated projects move forward.
Rebuilding trust
Muruato said the first year has also included difficult work.
The organization has undergone significant change, and some investors have left along the way. She said rebuilding business and public confidence remains a priority.
“An investment in Driving Dickinson County should never be taken for granted,” Muruato said. “We have a responsibility to demonstrate value, communicate our work, listen to concerns, and give businesses a meaningful reason to be involved.”
Roelofsen agreed.
“I hope we can build on public and business trust,” he said. “We can prove to people that we are, altogether, a different organization.”
Driving Dickinson County’s Road to 2030 strategic planning process identified Housing & Infrastructure, Business Development, and Community Engagement as primary areas of focus.
Muruato said the organization’s next step will be measuring progress more intentionally — not simply by the number of events, meetings or social media posts, but by businesses assisted, jobs retained or created, entrepreneurs supported, dollars leveraged and projects moved forward.
She also wants DDC to become a place businesses instinctively think to call when they encounter a challenge or opportunity.
“Let’s call Driving Dickinson County. They’ll know how to help,” Muruato said. “That is the reputation I want us to earn.”
One year into the role, she believes the organization has a stronger foundation from which to do that work.
The next year will focus increasingly on turning that foundation into results Dickinson County can see.
Two Lanes. One Direction. Roadmarkable.
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