MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — We visited with Startup Hutch Executive Director Graham Klemme this week to highlight new initiatives aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and economic growth across Reno County — including a major new partnership with the Heartland Forward foundation and several upcoming opportunities for local businesses to tap into funding and venture capital.
Hutchinson Selected as Pilot City in Heartland Forward Partnership
Klemme announced that Hutchinson has been chosen as one of just three pilot communities — alongside Enid and Perry, Oklahoma — for the launch of Heartland Forward’s new Center for Investment Readiness.
Heartland Forward, a Bentonville, Arkansas-based “think-and-do tank” backed by the Walton family, focuses on building economic strength in America’s central 20 states. The new initiative will provide participating cities with access to proprietary data dashboards, performance analytics, and national-level partnerships to help measure and accelerate local development outcomes.
“This is fuel on the fire for us,” Klemme said. “It gives Hutchinson access to powerful stakeholders and national attention. It helps us attract employers, raise our economic metrics, and find new funding opportunities for local programs.”
SBIR/STTR Matching Program Opens New Doors for Tech Startups
Klemme also discussed Kansas’ newly announced Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Matching Program. These federal Small Business Administration programs fund cutting-edge research and technology commercialization through phased, non-dilutive grants — meaning small businesses can grow without giving up ownership.
Under the new Kansas matching plan:
- $3,000 is available for “Phase Zero” — preparing and consulting for grant applications.
- Up to $25,000 is available for Phase One — supporting early technology development. Federal SBIR grants can ultimately reach $2.1 million through additional phases.
“This is a huge opportunity for innovators,” Klemme said. “Developing a competitive SBIR application is complex — this match funding helps Kansas entrepreneurs level the playing field.”
Upcoming Event: Investing in Kansas with KC Rise Fund
Startup Hutch will also host an open event next week featuring Corey Keller from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Liam Reilly, principal and general counsel of KC Rise Fund, a venture capital firm focused on western Missouri and Kansas.
The event will explore startup investment, innovation strategy, and economic development through entrepreneurship — and offer local business owners a chance to meet investors and state-level innovation leaders.
“If you’re a Reno County business in search of venture capital, this is a must-attend,” Klemme said.
Strategic Plan Aligns Local Economic Goals
Finally, Klemme discussed the release of Reno County’s new five-pillar economic development strategic plan, developed in collaboration with the City of Hutchinson, the Chamber, Startup Hutch, and other regional partners. The plan identifies entrepreneurship as a core driver of growth and highlights data-based priorities — from addressing low wage levels to leveraging manufacturing strength and educational assets.
“This plan gives us a common framework,” Klemme said. “Everyone’s now working toward the same vision for where Hutchinson and Reno County can be in five to ten years.”