News

Fidelity Bank, through its fund at the Wichita Community Foundation, is making a $90,000 grant to the Greater Wichita Partnership to provide and remodel the space to the west of the current Wichita Downtown Development Corporation offices and Design & Innovation Center. Adding to the space will allow the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition staff to co-locate with WDDC staff. Both organizations are now under the Partnership umbrella.

“Fidelity Bank seeks to support bold initiatives that create greater opportunity for all in our community to reach their potential,” said Clark Bastian, CEO and Chairman.” The Greater Wichita Partnership is an innovative approach to economic development worthy of support and vital to the success of our city.”

Partnership President Jeff Fluhr said, “This is a catalytic gift that will demonstrate to us and others who want to invest in our region that our community believes in itself and our future. We are grateful to the Bastians and Fidelity Bank for their commitment to this region and this vision. They are demonstrating their belief in our community moving ‘bravely onward’.

The initial concept calls for GWEDC to have its own storefront on Douglas and internal doors will connect WDDC and GWEDC with each other and with the Design & Innovation Center.

Fidelity Bank President Aaron Bastian said, ““We can make the change that we need to ensure our city thrives, not from the sidelines, but by actively contributing to the type of collaboration necessary to spur economic development, attract and retain talented people and create the Wichita we all deserve. I hope others are inspired to join this effort and fuel the momentum that The Greater Wichita Partnership has started.”

The Design & Innovation Center opened four years ago to serve as a convening place for meetings to advance economic growth. It was funded in large part by a Knight Foundation grant through its fund at the Wichita Community Foundation plus private contributions from companies and individuals.