Republic County Economic Development and the Belleville Chamber and Main Street had the honor of nominating Republic County businesses for the 2023 Kansas Business Awards held on October 12th at the B. Doc Hangar in Wichita. Nominated businesses fell into the categories of AgriBusiness, Apprenticeship Champions & Partners, Business Innovation, Healthcare/Nonprofit, Manufacturing/Distribution, Non-Traditional Talent Pools, Retail/Service, Under 30 Entrepreneurs, and Welcome Back.
Courtland’s North40 Architecture and Scandia’s Grandpa’s Best Hay were recognized as regional award winners.
North40 Architecture was founded by Harley Schuster who wanted to bring architecture to rural areas of the State of Kansas in the form of assistance with housing and downtown buildings. The path to rural architecture from major Universities is uncommon and unpaved, so this feat is commendable. This is one of the reasons that North40 Architecture won regionally in the Under 30 Entrepreneurs category. Harley is originally from Jewell County and has her Master’s in Architecture, Planning, and Design from Kansas State University. She was a Dane G. Hansen Foundation intern with Republic County Economic Development and works part-time as a Rural Architecture Lead for the organization.
Grandpa’s Best, Scandia, is a small family company committed to providing premium quality Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass Hay, Alfalfa Hay, and native Kansas Prairie Hay to small herbivores and exotic animals. Growing is their passion and fresh, nutritious hay is their legacy. Grandpa’s Best is part of Bestifor, a sixth-generation family farm located in the heartland of the United States, known for producing high-quality hay, forages, and grain crops. The business won a regional award in the AgriBusiness category.
Both businesses were photographed with Kansas Lieutenant Governor, David Toland, who gave a speech to start the night’s festivities.
Other Republic County businesses honored and received Awards of Merit included M&M Sweet Shop, Cuba; Blair Center for the Arts, Belleville; Irrigation Ales, Courtland; Bestifor Hay Company, Belleville; Pivotal Health & Wellness, Courtland; and The Feathered Nest, Belleville.