2020 a Year of Change,
Adaptability, Growth at NCRPC
Last year brought about a multitude of change in our work practices and communication. It also both challenged and solidified our commitment to serving North Central Kansas. The 2020 Annual Report contains some of the program highlights over the past year. We thank you for your support and look forward to working with you in 2021!
View the 2020 Annual Report at https://www.ncrpc.org.
Region Working to Recover from COVID-19 Economic Impacts
As the region continues to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCRPC has been working with many communities and organizations to assist with response and recovery.
A large factor in the continuing recovery efforts is an award the NCRPC received from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) in August 2020 to help coordinate a response to the pandemic’s economic effects within the 12 counties the NCRPC serves.
LaPolice Hired to Lead Regional Economic Recovery Efforts
We are pleased to announce Becky LaPolice joined the NCRPC staff in November. Becky serves as the Regional Economic Disaster Recovery Coordinator, a new position that serves communities across NCRPC’s 12-county region to assist with economic recovery and develop resilience related to the COVID-19 economic crisis.
A native of North Central Kansas, Becky resides in Cloud County. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and graduated Leadership Salina in 2018. Becky has served with the American Red Cross of Central and Western Kansas, deployed to Poland on an 11-month Service to the Armed Forces mission and most recently has been working remotely for the American Red Cross of the Pacific Islands Region.
Executive Board Recognition
Our work would not be possible without the involvement of many who volunteer their time to serve on boards and committees of the NCRPC and its affiliate, NCKCN. Since the NCRPC Executive Board has been meeting via Zoom, in-person recognition of outgoing board members was not possible this year. However, we wish to extend thank you to the following individuals for their dedication to the organization and the region.
Karen Brumbaugh - representative of Ottawa County since 2013
Brian Eilert - Board secretary-treasurer since 2010 (appointed position)
Mark Fleming - representative of Jewell County since 2017
Bill Garrison - representative of Cloud County two different times since 2005
Kermit Rush - representative of Ellsworth County since 2000
“We appreciate the important role these board members have had in the operations of the organization over the years,” Emily Benedick, executive director, said. “The NCRPC is fortunate to have strong advocates for North Central Kansas represented on its board both past and present.”
Meet the Board
Vicki Steffens has been appointed as the NCRPC Executive Board secretary-treasurer beginning in 2021. She succeeds Brian Eilert, who served in that position since 2010.
Vicki brings 39 years of banking experience to the position and is currently with Central National Bank at its Beloit location. She graduated from Northwest Kansas Technical College and has completed additional mortgage education as well as training through the Kansas Bankers Association.
In addition to her work, Vicki is active in her community and has held a variety of leadership roles with Zion Lutheran Church, Beloit Rotary, Beloit Chamber and the local TOPS chapter. Vicki and her husband, Tom, share four grown children. She enjoys time with grandchildren, reading and traveling.
Remote Working: Staff Share Learned Benefits, Tips
The NCRPC and affiliate NCKCN have practiced remote working for select staff for several years. That small group grew in spring 2020 when the office went nearly entirely remote for a number of weeks.
When staff participated in a virtual meeting in December 2020 as part of the Kansas Beats the Virus Initiative, remote work rose to the top of the list for a group action project.
New Housing Director Named
Keegan Bailey was named NCRPC housing director in November. She succeeds Carol Torkelson in the position following her retirement.
“In her 40-year career with the NCRPC, Carol was an incredible asset to the organization and to the region,” Emily Benedick, executive director, said. “The NCRPC has been diligently working on succession planning knowing the tremendous gaps retirements, like Carol’s, leave in our organization. Keegan has been working with Carol as the Housing Assistant the past few years and she is ready to step into this role to lead our housing programs.”
Bailey has been with the organization since 2015 and previously served as Administrative Assistant and Housing Assistant. She also is the Home Ownership Program coordinator.
Preservation Grants Available
A special grant opportunity for the preservation of historic properties in rural Kansas communities is available this year. The 2021 Kansas Rural Preservation Grant Program offers competitive grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for repair and rehabilitation projects. A minimum 10 percent match is required. Properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually or as a contributing property in a National Register-listed historic district. Applications are due March 1. Visit http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-rural-preservation/20430 Home Ownership Pilot Program Update Financial incentives offered through the NCK Home Ownership Program assisted in the purchase of 25 homes in the region last year. The pilot program officially expanded to Ottawa and Republic counties in April 2020. It assisted eligible home buyers with down payment and closing cost assistance. The total value of the 25 homes was nearly $3 million, with $300,000 coming from the pilot program.
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