INVESTING IN WICHITA’S TALENT

Focus Forward revealed an alarming trend – our city is leaking talent at a pace unmatched to any of our counterparts. How could we move the needle on Wichita’s economic opportunities? In our Investing in Wichita’s Talent publication, you’ll look at the impact of our Talent Ecosystem Fund investments, lessons learned, and the local organizations at the forefront of moving our city's talent pipeline. 

Read the full publication or preview a snippet below. 

Talent Ecosystem Fund impact at-a-glance

• $1,000,000 invested 
• Unlocked opportunities for 415 students and entrepreneurs 
• Activated a new instrument called ImpactICT 

Discovering national talent 

• $500,000 investment launched Wichita Promise MOVE, in partnership with WSU Tech 
• 50 students enrolled 
• 50/50 offered positions at Spirit AeroSystems or Textron Aviation 

Spurring global startups 

• $250,000 investment supported the creation of NXTSTAGE, in partnership with NXTUS
• 365 competitors from 28 states and 35 countries
• 22 startups brought to Wichita 

Empowering economic mobility 

• $250,000 ImpactICT Fund loan maximizes the North End, in partnership with Empower

Empower

• 14,134 residents live in the Nomar District 
• By 2066, the Hispanic population will grow 287% in Kansas