About RDA

 

Mission "Organized for the purpose of combating community deterioration, promoting, fostering, and encouraging the community, economic, and industrial development of the rural Northeast region of Kansas by seeking out and attracting new business, industry, and jobs and by promoting the growth, expansion, and profitability of existing business and industry through a professional, organized, and dedicated multi-county, region-wide effort." 

History
The Rural Development Association of Northeast Kansas (RDA), a non-profit organization, was formed in 1992 when Nemaha County Economic Development (a division of Nemaha County Extension Services) and Brown County Economic Development merged into one unit in order to combine their resources.   Since that time, each county has granted an annual allocation to RDA to perform economic development services for the county.  RDA's office is located in Sabetha, Kansas which sits right on the border of Brown and Nemaha Counties.

What we do
RDA serves as a valuable resource to local citizens on many fronts.  We primarily serve three distinct types of clients.

1.     New Businesses - Anyone who wishes to establish a new business in Brown County or Nemaha County should contact RDA as their first step.   As part of the overall business planning process, RDA "cuts through the red tape" to help businesses work with government requirements such as tax identification numbers, environmental regulations, and health permits.  RDA also assists eligible businesses to obtain tax credits, incentives, and financing for your new business when we help with your business planning.  In addition, RDA clients have full access to our business assistance center when they choose RDA to help plan their businesses.  Read more in the Business Services section.

2.     Expanding Businesses - RDA can work with expanding and relocating businesses to obtain numerous incentives such as the Kansas High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) and the popular Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that can assist in business expansions and/or relocations.  Our Business Services section outlines many of these incentives as well as our business planning assistance.

3.     Governments and Non-profit organizations - RDA assists local governments and non-profit organizations by writing and administering grants and by assisting in the development of new plans.  As an accredited Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administrator for the State of Kansas, RDA can assist with your community expansion/renovation needs.  Take a look at some of our recent successes. 

Board of Directors

David Key, President	Sabetha
Ken Herbster, Vice President	Morrill
Dean Rial, Secretary	Seneca
Lucille Kibler, Treasurer	Seneca
Doug Allen	Sabetha
Betty Bunck	Everest
Jeff Conner	Seneca
Dr. Steven Davies	Horton
Jerry Gifford	Hiawatha
Lu Hangley	Hiawatha
Katie Heinen	Wetmore
Lynne Ladner	Hiawatha

Executive Director
Nancy Gafford  (rdaneknancy@mewlan.com)

Office Manager
Virginia A. Dienstbier (officemanager@rdanek.com)