10/14/2026
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
From Childcare to Housing: Kiowa County Economic Development Continues Bringing Major Investments to Rural Kansas
KIOWA COUNTY, KANSAS — October 13, 2026
Kiowa County Economic Development is proud to announce another major milestone in its ongoing efforts to strengthen rural Kansas. Building on the success of previous regional investments in childcare, business development, and community improvements, the organization will now lead a $1 Million Regional Housing Initiative supported by the Patterson Family Foundation.
The **Rebuild Our Block Campaign** represents another significant investment in South Central Kansas, with Kiowa County Economic Development coordinating the effort across five counties: Kiowa, Comanche, Barber, Harper, and Kingman.
The campaign has an ambitious goal: remove at least 50 deteriorated homes and help get construction underway on at least 30 new homes across the five-county region.
Over the past several years, Kiowa County Economic Development has helped bring millions of dollars in investments to rural Kansas, including a nearly $2 million regional childcare initiative that helped create approximately 300 childcare slots across five small communities. Those efforts demonstrated what can be accomplished when rural communities work together, share resources, and approach common challenges with regional solutions.
Housing is the next major focus for development.
Across South Central Kansas, employers struggle to recruit workers when housing is unavailable. Families looking to relocate often find limited options, while deteriorated and abandoned properties occupy lots that could otherwise support new homes and future growth.
Rebuild Our Block is designed to address both sides of that challenge by helping communities remove properties that have reached the end of their useful life while creating incentives and opportunities for new housing development.
The initiative will provide demolition assistance, encourage investment in infrastructure, and help prepare properties for redevelopment. By focusing on neighborhoods and groups of properties, the campaign aims to make redevelopment more practical and affordable while improving the appearance and long-term stability of rural communities.
Beyond creating new housing opportunities, the effort is intended to strengthen local tax bases, make better use of existing infrastructure, and help communities attract and retain residents and businesses.
The initiative is supported by private funding from the Patterson Family Foundation, directing significant resources toward rural Kansas housing needs without requiring additional taxpayer funding.
Kiowa County Economic Development is grateful to the Patterson Family Foundation for recognizing the challenges facing rural communities and investing in solutions that can create lasting opportunities across the region.
“Securing funding is only the beginning. The real work is turning those investments into opportunities that make our rural communities stronger,” said Julie Lyon, Director of Kiowa County Economic Development. “We've seen what can happen when communities work together, and we're excited to build on that success as we turn our attention to housing.”
Property owners, community leaders, and residents interested in learning more about the Rebuild Our Block Campaign or nominating a property for consideration are encouraged to visit **www.rebuildourblock.com**.
**For More Information:**
Website: www.rebuildourblock.com
Email: [email protected]
