Economic Development
Thrive helps to encourage, develop, and recruit businesses that improve the vitality and resilience of the Allen County economy. Thrive provides professional economic development services to Allen County with a full-time Economic Development Director. Allen County Economic Development—a partnership with Thrive Allen County, the City of Iola, the City of Humboldt, Allen County Government, and Iola Industries, Inc.—helps local businesses grow, connects them with partners, and is dedicated to bringing new commerce to the area. We:
- Act as a resource and referral center
- Assist in new business site selection
- Recruit and support new businesses
- Provide business growth assistance
- Act as an intermediary with resource providers
- Assist in reports and research data on demographics, businesses, employment, market profiles, census data, workforce characteristics, and available sites
- Provide input in areas such as marketing and business management
- Work to address the lack of housing in Allen County
- Increase access to child care in Allen County
Interested in opening a business in Allen County, or have other ideas or questions? Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!
Thrive helps to encourage, develop, and recruit businesses that improve the vitality and resilience of the Allen County economy. Thrive provides professional economic development services to Allen County with a full-time Economic Development Director. Allen County Economic Development—a partnership with Thrive Allen County, the City of Iola, the City of Humboldt, Allen County Government, and Iola Industries, Inc.—helps local businesses grow, connects them with partners, and is dedicated to bringing new commerce to the area. We:
- Act as a resource and referral center
- Assist in new business site selection
- Recruit and support new businesses
- Provide business growth assistance
- Act as an intermediary with resource providers
- Assist in reports and research data on demographics, businesses, employment, market profiles, census data, workforce characteristics, and available sites
- Provide input in areas such as marketing and business management
- Work to address the lack of housing in Allen County
- Increase access to child care in Allen County
Interested in opening a business in Allen County,
or have other ideas or questions?
Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!
ABOUT ALLEN COUNTY
ABOUT ALLEN COUNTY
Allen County is located in southeastern Kansas and covers over 500 square miles. The county seat is Iola. The population (2020) is 12,526. Iola is located approximately 100 miles from the major cities of Kansas City, Wichita, and Tulsa, in fertile farming country along the Neosho River. It is serviced by three major highways — US-169, US-54, and US-59 — as well as the Union Pacific Railroad. The neighboring counties are Anderson (north), Linn (northeast), Bourbon (east), Crawford (southeast), Neosho (south), Wilson (southwest), Woodson (west), and Coffey (northwest).
Allen County is located in southeastern Kansas and covers over 500 square miles. The county seat is Iola. The population (2020) is 12,526. Iola is located approximately 100 miles from the major cities of Kansas City, Wichita, and Tulsa, in fertile farming country along the Neosho River. It is serviced by three major highways — US-169, US-54, and US-59 — as well as the Union Pacific Railroad. The neighboring counties are Anderson (north), Linn (northeast), Bourbon (east), Crawford (southeast), Neosho (south), Wilson (southwest), Woodson (west), and Coffey (northwest).
Business Support
Business Support
Supporting Existing Businesses
Economic and job growth take many forms. Existing businesses, large and small, are essential to that growth. The vast majority of new jobs in Allen County are created by businesses already located here. Thrive, and government and private partners are committed to supporting the growth and well-being of Allen County’s existing businesses. Our services range from helping businesses grow and expand to helping them overcome the hurdles that interfere with their day-to-day operations. Most of this work happens right here, but we also work hard to connect businesses to our partners at the regional and state level, including the Kansas Small Business Development Center and the Kansas Department of Commerce. At Thrive, we assist local businesses with incentives, programs, tax credits, land/buildings, and local business climate issues, among other services. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 620-365-8128.
Ribbon Cutting Photos
Business Site Selection
Thrive offers seamless, one-stop service for businesses and consultants seeking sites. For assistance in site selection or to receive a customized proposal tailor-made to your specific expansion or relocation project, please contact our Economic Development director, Jared, at [email protected] or 620.365.8128.
Recruitment & Incentives
Recruitment & Incentives
The Allen County Difference
Unlike most rural communities, Allen County, Kansas has decided it will grow and thrive. We have rejected complacency, and taken the steps necessary to be the type of community where businesses and residents WANT to be. Just look at the facts.
- After decades of decline the county’s population has leveled off and is beginning to climb.
- Over 100 new homes have been built in recent years in Iola, the county seat.
- A $30 million new critical access hospital opened in 2013.
- The county’s health ranking has improved steadily, exceeding even the aggressive goals the community set for itself.
- Nationally and internationally-recognized businesses like B&W Trailer Hitches, Gates Corporation, Monarch Cement, Russell Stover Candies, and Peerless have all significantly expanded their production here.
We want your business, and we’re willing to do what it takes to get deals done. There is strong cooperation between local governments and industry, creating one of the most business-friendly environments in the Midwest. Low operating costs and a smart, hardworking pool of workers combined with Allen County’s central location and easy access to Kansas City, Wichita, Joplin and Tulsa makes Allen County one of those rare places that both makes good business sense and just feels right. Come see for yourself what Allen County’s pro-business spirit can mean for your business.
Available Sites & Buildings
Allen County’s business and industrial sites/buildings are kept in the LOIS database. We encourage you to visit this site to get an accurate representation of our market. In addition, we have available data from the City of Iola about industrial locations and from Iola Industries. To discuss sites or for related inquiries, please click here.
Incentives
New and expanding companies locating in Allen County may take advantage of a number of incentives, many of which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a particular business. Most of the incentives vary based on a company’s financial investment and the number of new jobs. The state of Kansas also has one of the most business-friendly economic climates in the nation. Please contact us to request a customized incentive package for your project, or click the links below for more detailed information.
- Local Incentives: Iola, Humboldt, and Allen County.
- State of Kansas: Business and Community Finance and Incentives
- Utility Incentives: Iola, Humboldt
Target Industries
Across Allen County, a wide range of businesses, new and old, are driving promise for the future. Our strengths and interests range from manufacturing and distribution to filmmaking and supporting internet-based startups. Each community has different interests and locations. For information regarding target industries, please contact us.
Workforce
A highly motivated, well-trained workforce is critical to economic growth and prosperity and to overall quality of life. Please contact us for information about various aspects of our labor market:
- Labor Force Employment
- Average Wages By Sector
- Labor Market Characteristics
Available Sites & Buildings
Allen County’s business and industrial sites/buildings are kept in the LOIS database. We encourage you to visit this site to get an accurate representation of our market. In addition, we have available data from the City of Iola about industrial locations and from Iola Industries. To discuss sites or for related inquiries, please click here.
Incentives
New and expanding companies locating in Allen County may take advantage of a number of incentives, many of which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a particular business. Most of the incentives vary based on a company’s financial investment and the number of new jobs. The state of Kansas also has one of the most business-friendly economic climates in the nation. Please contact us to request a customized incentive package for your project, or click the links below for more detailed information.
- Local Incentives: Iola, Humboldt, and Allen County.
- State of Kansas: Business and Community Finance and Incentives
- Utility Incentives: Iola, Humboldt
Target Industries
Across Allen County, a wide range of businesses, new and old, are driving promise for the future. Our strengths and interests range from manufacturing and distribution to filmmaking and supporting internet-based startups. Each community has different interests and locations. For information regarding target industries, please contact us.
Workforce
A highly motivated, well-trained workforce is critical to economic growth and prosperity and to overall quality of life. Please contact us for information about various aspects of our labor market:
- Labor Force Employment
- Average Wages By Sector
- Labor Market Characteristics
Meet The Team:
Jared Wheeler
Director of
Economic Development
Rachel Moore
Community Planning and
Development Coordinator
Jared Wheeler
Director of Economic Development
Jared Wheeler is the Director of Economic Development at Thrive. Jared assists entrepreneurs, business owners, local governments and others as they work to grow our communities.
Jared has worked in education, public relations and ministry prior to his current position. Each of these experiences helped prepare him for his role with Thrive. Jared and his wife, Dr. Kara Wheeler, have three children: Gracie, Judah and Beckham.
Jared loves spending time with his family, reading and being as active as possible. If you talk to him about Jeopardy, history or sneakers you will have a friend for life...and a long conversation.
Contact: [email protected]
Rachel Moore
Community Planning and Development Coordinator
Rachel Moore is the Community Planning and Development Coordinator at Thrive Allen County. She assists community partners in writing applications for the Community Block Grants Program, along with similar other grant programs, and prepares reports on behalf of grantees. She also works closely with the Economic Development department and helps with other grant reporting and administration.
Rachel has an MA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from K-State. She wrote for several years about economic development all across America for an economic development magazine. She learned a lot about how communities build strength and resilience for their economies and better lives for their citizens and came to Thrive to help build even more strength and resilience in Allen County.
Rachel grew up in rural Missouri, and she has lived in six different communities in Kansas since 2006. She loves participating in her church’s activities, reading stories with her partner and their daughter, doing yoga, swimming, and going pitch and putt golfing.
Contact: [email protected]
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Work on trails, clean up communities,
and build a healthier tomorrow.
Visit our Volunteer Opportunities Page
for more info and to sign-up!
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workshops and meetings.
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far beyond what grants can fund.