Stafford County Economic Development

10/14/2026

The St. John News reported that some men from Kansas City had arrived in town to discuss the possibility of creating a tourist camp. It was to be located where Brown Park is now.
The men were mapping a New Santa Fe Trail from Kansas City to Pueblo, Colorado.
The paper reported that tourism business was in its infancy with the automobile.
"As an example, Tuesday night, the civil engineer of the New York Central railroad, a gentleman commanding a yearly salary of $25,000, was a member of a party that camped here.
"The tourist trade, if properly handled, can be made a big asset to the wide-awake towns along the New Santa Fe Trail."

10/07/2026

Lorraine "Lizzie" Wooster set a high bar for Kansas teachers.
She didn't want them drinking, smoking, dancing or playing cards. She especially didn't want women teachers wearing any short skirts.
From 1918 to 1922, Wooster was the state superintendent of public instruction.
She never married and encouraged the same for any teacher wanting to make a career in education.
Prior to becoming the state superintendent, Wooster formed her own publishing company and wrote several textbooks for reading, spelling and arithmetic.
In the Wooster Arithmetic for Grade 1, she wrote in the forward:
"Blackboard lessons are very objectionable, on account of the injury done to pupil's eyes.
More books should be used in the lower grades, and less blackboard work, and then we would find a much less percent of the children wearing glasses in the school room."

10/06/2026

Let’s talk about child care in St. John, and an opportunity for someone who loves working with kids.

We still have space available for a child care provider in our building on 5th Street near the school. One question I hear often is, “Does Eco Devo hire people to run the day cares?”

The providers are independent business owners. We provide the space, and they operate their own child care businesses.

Another common question is, “Why can’t someone just get started right away?” There’s a process involved, including training, background checks, insurance, and getting licensed. It takes some preparation, and, of course, patience and a love for children!

Our part is to help make the building side of starting a business easier. This facility is already equipped with many of the things you need to run a day care. If there’s something else you need, ask me. Let’s see what we can do.

You’ll also have a wonderful neighbor in Glenna, who runs the day care next door. And we take care of mowing the lawn and building maintenance, including sending someone to help when a toilet overflows. Thanks, guys. You know who you are! 😊

Four people have toured the space so far, but the right fit hasn’t come along yet. Maybe that person is you.

If you’ve thought about running your own child care business, we’d love to show you the space and talk through the opportunity. You could build a business of your own while providing a service local families need.

Interested? Hit me up at [email protected] . And if someone comes to mind, please share this post with them!

Ryan Russell
Executive Director
Stafford County Economic Development

10/03/2026

Oktoberfest breakfast fundraiser tomorrow! See you out there.

City of Stafford, KS

10/01/2026

Tomorrow! Lunch and Learn Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library. This is a partnership between Stafford Eco Devo and Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library.

LAST CALL!
Our Medicare Lunch & Learn is TOMORROW!

Still have questions about Medicare? This is your chance to join us!
Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, so come hear from Mark Popp, bring your questions, and get helpful information before enrollment begins.

TOMORROW — Friday, October 2
12:00–1:00 PM
FREE lunch & drinks provided
FREE to attend

We are ordering lunches, so if you plan to attend, please call the library TODAY to reserve your spot. 620-549-3227

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, ask questions, enjoy lunch, and connect with your community!

Come hungry. Leave informed.

10/01/2026

Many great community events coming up in St. John!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F9VN81BP9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

City of St. John Kansas

09/30/2026

[Grant Awarded] Stafford County Economic Development was just awarded $1,454 to be used for the 2026-2027 Youth Entrepreneur Challenge by South Central Community Foundation! We appreciate the partnership!!!

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge information can be found here https://staffordecodevo.com/yec/ . It is put on by Stafford County Economic Development, K-State Extension - 21 Central District , and Network Kansas. Funding provided by Network Kansas and South Central Community Foundation.

Please reach out to Ryan Russell at [email protected] if you have any questions about the event.

09/30/2026

Hays Food Business Workshop is next Tuesday! Sign up now. I'll be there.

City of Stafford, KS City of St. John Kansas Get Hudson Kansas Macksville, Kansas

09/30/2026

In the early 1870s, Bernhard Warkentin wanted to mill wheat and he built his first water mill on the banks of the Little Arkansas River in Harvey County. He encouraged his fellow Mennonites to bring hard Turkey Red Winter wheat as they moved to Kansas.
They settled in communities such as Gossel, Inman, Butler and Moundridge. Along with the Mennonites' success came Warkentin's success.
He expanded and improved his mills and moved them closer to railroads. Wheat flourished on the plains.
Warkentin built a mill in Halstead, a bigger mill in Newton and one in Blackwell, Okla.
He became, in essence, the king of wheat in Kansas and Oklahoma.
On April 1, 1908, Warkentin was killed while riding a train between Turkey and Syria.
A Turkish prince, Mohamed Said, boarded the train following a hunting trip. He was drunk and playing with his guns when he pointed one gun at a panel in his traveling compartment and discharged it.
Warkentin was sitting on the other side and was shot in the back. He died nearly 12 hours later.

09/23/2026

On March 10, 1976, The St. John News published this advertisement. Can you name some of the class members from the St. John High School Class of 1954?
The class members being sought were:
Glenn Franklin
John Lehman
Phil Brower
Phil England
Will Mastin
Jackie Widup Bonner
Lillian Keller
Paul Comer
Virginia Piland
Evelyn Holmes
George Bodenkamer
Kathy Snell Carter
Donna Fox