Innovation Center Celebrates First Closing in New Housing Program with the Ibarra Family

Ellis County, KS, January 14, 2025 – The Innovation Center is proud to announce the first new construction home to benefit from its Kansas Housing Cooperative Program, a transformative initiative designed to expand rural housing opportunities in Northwest Kansas. Brenden and Alexis Ibarra, lifelong residents of Ellis County, became the inaugural participants in this program, achieving their dream of building their first home.

Alexis, a nurse, and Brenden, an employee at Fort Hays State University, are not only building a home for their growing family but also expanding their family farm. Their journey exemplifies the spirit of the Kansas Housing Cooperative Program—helping Northwest Kansas families achieve their housing and economic goals while strengthening rural communities.

The Ibarra family’s success was made possible through the generosity of their own relatives, who contributed the required matching funds for the loan. “This program gave us the opportunity to stay rooted in Ellis County, grow our family, and invest in the farm that’s been part of our lives for generations,” said Alexis Ibarra.

This milestone could not have been achieved without the collaboration and support of key partners:

• Golden Belt Bank, which facilitated the closing.
• Kansas Housing Cooperative Waiver/Loan Review Committee, which approved the application.
• North Central Regional Planning Commission, serving as the fiscal agent for the transaction.
• The State of Kansas and Dane G. Hansen Foundation, whose funding made this program a reality.

• Phase One of the Kansas Housing Cooperative Program officially launched on December 2, 2024, and is expected to fund approximately 52 new homes in its first year, creating lasting impacts across the region. The initiative addresses key community challenges such as stabilizing housing, boosting the local economy, and fostering sustainable rural growth.

  The Innovation Center invites families like the Ibarras to explore how this program can help them achieve their housing dreams while contributing to the revitalization of Northwest Kansas.

  Those interested in building a new home may be eligible for the program if:

• The property is in a community of 10,000 or fewer residents
• The home is a new build and is homeowner occupied
• The new home is constructed in one of the 26 counties served by the Innovation Center
• The home is between 1,200-1,900 square feet
• The duplex is between 1,000-1,600 square feet per unit
• The home will be used as a primary residence for at least 5 years

• For more information about the Kansas Housing Cooperative Program and future opportunities, visit https://nwkeici.org/programs/kansas-housing-cooperative-program/ or contact Randy Speaker, Regional Housing Specialist, 785-409-0555, randy@nwkeici.org.

  About the Innovation Center

  The Innovation Center exists to help turn Northwest Kansas’ economic dreams into a reality. We’re committed to transforming the economic aspirations of people and communities across our 26-county region into real, tangible successes. We do this through hard work, collaboration, and practical solutions.

  Areas of Focus: Workforce, Housing, Childcare, Business Development, Cybersecurity.