As if there wasn’t enough going on in Ellsworth County this past week, representatives from NetWork Kansas announced the county has been named a Kansas E-Community. We were the only applicant chosen in western Kansas. Being an E-Community will deliver $135,000 to Ellsworth County for distribution to existing and startup businesses. Recipients are limited to $45,000 and the loan requires a 40 percent match from another lender. The program will supplement the revolving loan fund administered by the Smoky Hill Development Corporation.

LMD

Speaking of small businesses, the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter received a boost Friday from the acting director of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation. Ryan Vincent commented on the importance of community newspapers during a stop in Kanopolis to celebrate National Homeownership Month in Kansas. Newspapers have a terrible time talking about their value. But we don’t mind when others do it. Thank you, Mr. Vincent, for the kind words.

LMD

Two major events will take place this weekend. The Ellsworth County Cancer Fund Triathlon is from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday at Ellsworth Junior-Senior High School’s Shanelec Field. It’s a great event and the cause couldn’t be more important. The Smoky Hill River Festival opens today (Thursday) in Salina’s Oakdale Park. My family and many of our friends have attended every festival since it grew from a Bicentennial celebration in 1976 in downtown Salina to the large regional draw it is today. Part of the fun of the festival is catching up with old friends. The weather is even supposed to be nice.