The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce’s plans to move into the Innovation Center under construction on 10th St. early as January are affected by this week’s announcement that construction on the facility will be paused. Chamber President and CEO Megan Barfield said that means her organization will continue to operate at 1125 Williams St. for now.

On Monday, Great Bend Economic Development reported that after phase one of construction is done, “further construction will temporarily pause as the organization works to close the remaining funding gap to finish phase two.” The multi-million dollar project is designed to serve as a hub for entrepreneurship, workforce development and innovation. It has been funded through a combination of state and federal grants, private contributions and local private investment. Executive Director Jason Kuilan stated the organization has taken steps to reduce costs and preserve progress while it seeks to find new funding after expected grant sources did not materialize.

Barfield sent a letter to Chamber members after Monday’s announcement.

“By now, you may have seen Great Bend Economic Development’s announcement regarding the temporary pause in construction of the Innovation Center. I want to take a moment to speak to you directly about what this means for the Chamber and, more importantly, to reassure you that our direction and purpose remain unchanged,” Barfield wrote.

“Simply put, it just means we will reside at our current location a little longer. Brett Ochs, owner of Ochs Properties, now owns the building we call home. Brett has been a wonderful partner and has graciously provided flexible lease terms that allow the Chamber to continue operating smoothly right here at 1125 Williams.”

Other agencies that used to be based at 1125 Williams St. had already moved. Central Kansas CASA and United Way of Central Kansas are both at 2000 Washington St.

Barfield said she has been in touch with the Chamber’s executive committee and representatives from GBED. “Together, we share the same long-term vision for a stronger, more connected community, even if the road sometimes looks a little different than we originally planned,” she stated.

“The Chamber’s decision to sell our building was not tied to the Innovation Center’s timeline or construction progress. It was a thoughtful step and part of our five-year strategic plan to right-size our operations and focus our resources where they make the most impact: supporting our members. Owning an older building has come with significant costs, and by choosing to lease space instead, we can put more of your membership dollars directly into programs, advocacy, and initiatives that serve you.

“It’s also important to note that the Chamber is still 100% funded by membership and sponsorship dollars, as well as capital campaign pledges. We receive no public funding. Every success we achieve, every event we host, every ribbon we cut, every business we assist, it all happens because of your continued belief in the work we do together.

“We remain hopeful and supportive of the Innovation Center and the opportunity it represents for our community’s future. In the meantime, the Chamber team will keep doing what we do best: connecting members, advocating for business, and fostering growth in the Great Bend area.

“If you have questions or simply want to talk through this more, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My door is always open. I know there is a lot of chatter on the social media feed, but I believe we can communicate directly with one another. I choose to communicate with you directly and I hope you feel as though you can do the same by contacting myself or a member of our Board of Directors.

“Every step comes with decisions which are not made lightly or in isolation. They’re made with care, consideration, and a deep respect for the members we serve. We may not all see things the same way, but at the end of the day, we’re all people working toward the same goal: a thriving, resilient Great Bend.

“Thank you for the dedication to your business and to Great Bend and your belief in the work we are all trying to do.”