News release
NWK Economic Innovation Center Inc. Program Director Lucas Goddard announced this week that planning is underway for a Rural & Remote Summit: Connected Communities. This free event is open to anyone interested in how remote working is impacting rural communities in the northwest region of Kansas. The summit will be in Hays on Sept. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“This is an opportunity to find out more about our program, to interact with our team and other local supporters of remote work, and to hear how local communities are becoming 'remote work friendly,' " said Gretchin Staples, program coordinator.
Rural & Remote is an initiative of the NorthWestKansas Economic Innovation Center Inc. and was started in the spring of 2019. For over three years, Rural & Remote has helped train and connect northwest Kansas residents to remote job opportunities with customized skills training and job placement support. They have established themselves as a local authority on remote work and how communities can be prepared and welcoming to remote workers.
Brittany Pennington of Hays attended the 2021 Summit and was encouraged by what she heard. She had recently been accepted into the Rural & Remote program and completed her Remote Skills Certification, and was now ready to find her ideal remote job. Listening to the success stories that day really made an impact, especially Stuart Schmidt.
“I knew that I was looking for something very specific, but the interview with Stuart, a fellow Smith Center Redman, caught my eye and made me think it was possible,” she said.
Pennington used the job placement support from the team and ultimately found online employment that fit around her busy schedule. As for her experience with Rural & Remote, Pennington could not be happier.
“Rural & Remote was an incredible experience," she said.
You can read more of Pennington's story at https://nwkeici.org/blog/.