Hutchinson Community Foundation awards $9,000 grant for rural entrepreneurship program

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Fund for Reno County of Hutchinson Community Foundation has awarded a $9,000 grant to StartUp Hutch to support entrepreneurship development across rural Reno County.

The grant, part of the foundation's Community & Economic Development program in the 2025 Impact Cycle 2, will fund the "Raising the Bar for County Entrepreneurship" project.

The initiative includes five three-hour workshops and coaching services for more than 30 clients across rural Reno County. StartUp Hutch will target communities including Pretty Prairie, Buhler, Haven, South Hutchinson, Nickerson and western Reno County.

StartUp Hutch aims to generate stronger economic activity among existing local business operators and build sustainable countywide infrastructure for entrepreneurs. The organization plans to create a centralized platform for knowledge, mentorship and grassroots support for small business success.

The grant aligns with Hutchinson Community Foundation's strategic goal of fostering a strong local economy where every person has the opportunity to thrive.