Two Lanes, One Direction: Why Community and Economic Development Must Travel Together

In economic development, conversations center on what can be measured: jobs created, capital invested, businesses recruited. These are important — but ask a longtime Dickinson County resident why they stay, and you won't hear about tax incentives. You'll hear about whether the downtown felt alive, whether there was somewhere to gather, and whether people were genuinely investing in the place they called home.

That is community development. And while it is distinct from economic development, the two are inseparable if Dickinson County wants to grow in a way that lasts.

What Each Discipline Does

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT	COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Building the Engine → Business recruitment & retention → Workforce pipeline → Capital investment & incentives → Site readiness & infrastructure → Tax base growth	Building the Place → Downtown revitalization → Placemaking & public spaces → Housing quality & availability → Arts, culture & community identity → Quality of life investments

"A community that cannot attract residents cannot attract employers. And a community without employers cannot fund the things that keep residents here. Both disciplines must go hand in hand."

— NATALIE MURUATO, CEO, DRIVING DICKINSON COUNTY

Economic development asks: Can a business thrive here? Community development asks: Can a person thrive here? The most resilient communities pursue both — because the answer to one depends on the other. Investments in storefronts, parks, and gathering spaces are not luxuries. They are economic infrastructure.

What Is Already Happening in Dickinson County

From Abilene to Chapman to Herington to Enterprise, real work is underway. Historic buildings are being restored, storefronts are being improved, and resources are being put directly into the hands of people building a better place to live. With the award of various CDBG grants county-wide that improve downtown buildings, help build new parks, and provide necessary infrastructure, the County's America 250 grant invests in community pride. We also have various organizations offering activities to engage visitors and local citizens alike — gathering to celebrate art, history, local culture, and provide family fun.

On the Horizon

The work does not stop here. Driving Dickinson County is rolling out two new community-focused programs — giving Dickinson County businesses and property owners even more tools to invest in where they live and work.

STOREFRONT INVESTMENT · COMING SOON Revamped Facade & Building Improvement Loan DDC is refreshing and expanding its facade loan program — making it easier for business and property owners to access low-barrier financing for exterior upgrades, signage, and major maintenance and structural improvements. 0% Interest · 1:1 Match · Up to $10,000

PLACEMAKING & CIVIC PRIDE • COMING SOON Stars, Stripes & Storefront Showdown Businesses across the county will be invited to decorate their windows in celebration of America's 250th Anniversary — with public voting, prizes, and a countywide self-guided patriotic tour. Countywide • Public Voting • Awards

The Road Ahead

Dickinson County has extraordinary assets: a nationally recognized historic downtown in Abilene, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, a heritage state railroad, and communities from Chapman to Solomon to Herington that carry great pride and identity. What we are building is a county where those assets are matched by vibrant, livable places that keep people here, attract new residents, and give businesses a reason to plant roots.

DRIVING DICKINSON COUNTY FORWARD

Community Development Week is a reminder that building a stronger county belongs to all of us. Whether you are a business owner, property investor, nonprofit leader, or neighbor with a vision — your participation in this county's future matters. We are in the driver's seat together.