NetWork Kansas Co-sponsors High Plains Youth Entrepreneur Fair

High School Students Encouraged to Innovate in Rural Communities

Wichita, Kansas, March 3, 2008 - NetWork Kansas today announced that it is sponsoring the Third Annual High Plains Youth Entrepreneur Fair to be held on Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Rawlins County High School in Atwood, Kansas. The purpose of the fair is to identify and encourage young entrepreneurs to develop new innovative products or markets that will help revitalize rural economies. Co-sponsors for the event include Ogallala Commons and the Western Prairie Resource Conservation & Development Council (Western Prairie RC&D).

Towns across the Great Plains have been experiencing an outward migration of high school graduates leaving for college never to return, or young families moving away due to a lack of economic or social opportunities. As part of a larger effort to help reverse this trend and stimulate the local economy, rural communities such as Rawlins County are investing resources and supporting the development of young entrepreneurs.

"Studies we have completed during the past three years indicate that more than 60% of students in grades 7 through 12 would return to their rural hometown after college, if provided with sufficient opportunities," said Chris Sramek, director of Rawlins county Economic Development. "In this time of abundant change, entrepreneurship presents a multitude of opportunities to young people in rural communities. Also, it provides those rural communities with an opportunity to reverse the long decline in population that has characterized rural America for so long."

"It's important for Kansas youth to understand that owning your own business is a career option to consider," said NetWork Kansas Director, Steve Radley. "This event gives them the opportunity to think creatively and to learn more about the process of starting your own business.  We're excited to be a part of it."

Participants for the event will be chosen based on the creativity, practicality and personal commitment expressed in their application essays. Each of the top 30 applicants will have a booth at the fair on March 28 th, where they will showcase their ideas or products in a short presentation and business plan. During the competition, judges will ask questions about the idea/product, its feasibility and how it can contribute to the rural economy. The top three products or concepts exhibited at the fair will receive $1000, $750 and $500, respectively. The competition is open to any young entrepreneur, grades 7-12, with a business idea or community project.

To submit an application to participate in the event, contact Chris Sramek at: 

785.626.3640 or rced@atwoodtv.net