About CKDI
Financing Dreams Since 1958
Central Kansas Development, Inc - CKDI - has been in operation for over 60 years, helping entrepreneurs and business leaders finance new opportunities that promote economic development in Great Bend, Kansas and the surrounding area. Originally known as Great Bend Development Inc, the organization was founded by a group of investors with a vision to help facilitate economic growth by investing in businesses who needed some creative financing. Since the 1950s, CKDI has helped dozens of companies expand their operations, purchase new equipment, acquire real estate, and overcome barriers keeping them from growth and success.
How CKDI Can Help
20% of small businesses fail in the first year.
30% fail in their second year.
And similar numbers fail after five years.
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CKDI exists to provide confidential and non-conventional financing for economic development projects. And to help ensure the success of the businesses we partner with, our experienced volunteers provide mentorship for the first year after the financing has been secured.
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We live and work here, and we want to invest in the future of this community's success. And since our volunteers are running businesses of their own, we can provide a sounding board for the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Success Stories
Matt Hoisington, owner of C&V Home Improvement, says, “When I started the process of purchasing an existing business with plans for expansion in the near future, my bank wasn’t able to meet all my financing needs. But after shopping around with local banks, CKDI’s board president Paul Snapp told me about their loan program and offered to work with the bank as a partner to provide the ‘gap financing’ I needed without having to go to two different places. The transition was very smooth and I would recommend their loan program to anyone.”
It's Easy as 1, 2, 3...
Our goal is to hear your ideas to see if CKDI could offer either primary financing or gap financing for your project. If you're interested in pursuing a partnership with CKDI, here's how our process works:
2. Gather Your FINANCIALS
We'll need to know about your personal and business credit history, so personal and business financial statements are key as well as financial projections for at least a year. Let us know what other financial institutions you may be working with. Download a sample financial statement here.
3. CONTACT US TO MAKE YOUR PITCH
Once you're ready, contact us to set up a confidential meeting with our Executive Board to ask questions and tell us about your business. This is an open conversation with no obligations. Should you decide to proceed, our Board of Directors will review the project and make a decision within 2-4 weeks.
Let's Get Started
If you'd like to get the process started or get more information about how CKDI's process works, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have or to schedule the initial meeting with our Executive Board.
Call us at 620-793-3821 or fill out the form below to send us an email.