Sherdeill Breathett Sr., Economic Development Specialist
Economic Development - Home
Sedgwick County's Economic Development program provides support to existing local businesses, recruits new businesses to the area, provides incentives for businesses to expand or relocate in Sedgwick County, administers the Foreign Trade Zone, and promotes and administers the Sedgwick County Micro-Loan Program.
Site Consultants
Are you a site
consultant or a commercial or industrial business
interested in expanding?
Click here
for a one-stop source for economic development
information and inquiries.
Greater Wichita Economic Development
Coalition
Information and Statistics
For more Wichita MSA information and statistics
click here.
Center for Economic Development and
Business Research
News and Events
A Best Place to Live
It's no longer a matter of personal opinion. Wichita, Sedgwick County's largest city, is a great place to live, work and play. With accolades from national magazines rolling in, no one can deny the fact that with our affordable living, lightning-fast commute and sunny skies, this is one of the strongest metro environments in America. Click here find recent rankings and lists about Wichita!
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Congress recently passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (H.R.3221) (HERA). This act is being implemented by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).
Through this program, governmental or non-profit entities will be authorized to purchase foreclosed properties from banks and/or other financial institutions. If necessary, the properties can either be rehabilitated or demolished and redeveloped. Click here to read a fact sheet about this program.
Master
Plans and Improvements Revealed
Sedgwick County Park and Sedgwick County Zoo continue to grow and change to fill the needs and interests of visitors.
A recent addition to Sedgwick County Park is a Boundless Playground, where children of all walks of life can enjoy play time together. Click here to learn about future improvements to Sedgwick County Park and surrounding sports complexes and green areas.
Recent additions and improvements at Sedgwick County Zoo can barely be counted on one hand. Since 2004, the Zoo has opened the Koch Orangutan and Chimpanzee Habitat, Downing Gorilla Forest, Cessna Penguin Cove, Plaza Beastro restaurant, and most recently the Slawson Family Tiger Trek.
The overall Master Plan of Sedgwick County Zoo addresses the existing land on which the Zoo is located (approximately 247 acres). The Zoo is organized in two different ways. Exhibits located north and around the Central Plaza are oriented to specific themes, such as habitats (i.e. the Jungle) or animal groups of special interest (i.e. Amphibians & Reptiles). Exhibits south of the Central Plaza are organized zoogeographically by continent. Click here for more information about the Sedgwick County Zoo master plan.
Old
Town Named a Great American Neighborhood
Old Town, a unique entertainment, residential, art and
cultural district in the heart of Sedgwick County, was
named a “Great American Neighborhood.”
Old Town received the honor along with nine other
neighborhoods across the country. The award was given by
the American Planning Association and recognizes the
area's vision.
In the 70s and 80s, Old Town was an area of abandoned
warehouses sitting on top of major water contamination.
That contamination blocked any future development until
community leaders came up with a plan. Instead of
turning the area over to the superfund, they took
financial responsibility for the clean-up – a move that
proved big.
That imagination soon turned into developments.
Today, Old Town is a vibrant mix of entertainment,
residential, arts, and cultural venues. It’s a
transformation that truly makes this an award-winning
neighborhood.
Visit Old Town
online.
K-96 Corridor - Economic Development
Plan
The
K-96 Corridor Economic Development Plan represents a
collaborative effort that spans the border or two
counties and intersects four communities. The Counties
of Reno and Sedgwick and the communities of Maize, Mt.
Hope, Haven, and South Hutchinson have come together to
plan for the future of the K-96 Corridor. The Corridor
currently serves as the primary transportation route
between Wichita, on the southeast, and Hutchinson on the
north. K-96 represents one of the most heavily traveled
State Highways within Kansas, allowing people to easily
commute between two prominent Kansas cities. The
counties and municipalities have created and supported
this collaborative effort for the benefit of the region.
K-254 Corridor Coalition Final Report Now Available
The K-254 Corridor Economic Development Plan represents
a regional effort that spans the border or two counties
and intersects six communities. The Counties of Sedgwick
and Butler and the communities of Wichita, Bel-Aire,
Kechi, Benton, Towanda and El Dorado have come together
to plan for the future development of the K-254
Corridor. The Corridor currently serves as the primary
transportation route between Wichita, on the southwest,
and El Dorado on the northeast. K-254 represents one of
the most heavily traveled State Highways within Kansas,
allowing people to easily commute between two prominent
Kansas cities. The counties and municipalities have
created and supported this collaborative effort for the
benefit of themselves and the region.
Mission
Promote a strong and diverse regional economy by increasing opportunity for all businesses to retain and attract new jobs to Sedgwick County.
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