StartUp Hutch received a $25,000 grant to provide specialized entrepreneurship training for residents in Reno County. The funding comes from the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative, which is supported by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.
This two-year program features the Who Owns the Ice House course. Participants will learn how to develop an economic mindset and improve their problem-solving skills. The program aims to help locals identify business opportunities and determine if entrepreneurship is the right path for their economic future.
Organizers are targeting residents from ALICE households, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These individuals often earn above the poverty level but struggle to meet basic living costs. By removing financial barriers, the program ensures that residents can access training, meals, and resources at no cost to them.
The Reno County Community Wellness Coalition has been part of this initiative since 2017. Their partnership with StartUp Hutch focuses on strengthening local families and building a more resilient economy. This project is part of a broader effort to improve community health by addressing the financial factors that impact quality of life.