Author: Jared Hitchens

The Topeka Area Sports Commission (TASC) is excited to announce its second-annual TASC Mini Golf Tournament benefiting TASC Cares. Launched in 2023, TASC Cares aims to foster equity in the community’s youth sports by providing micro-grants to local kids ages 8-18 who face financial barriers, ensuring they have the opportunities to participate in organized sports and reap the benefits of such engagement. These micro-grants can cover registration fees, equipment purchases, and other essential expenses related to athletic competition, opening doors for aspiring athletes across Shawnee County. “Inclusivity is at the heart of TASC Cares,” said TASC Director Mike Bell. “We’re committed to breaking down financial barriers and leveling the playing… Read More

The Greater Topeka Partnership is thrilled to announce that the 29th Annual Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade, presented by Giant Communications, will be bigger and more spectacular than ever this year. This year, ten marching bands from across the state of Kansas will be invited to participate in a KSHSAA approved event and will compete for ratings. The parade will take place on December 7, 2024, beginning at 6 PM at 5th and Kansas Avenue. Marching bands may arrive at 4 PM. Each band selected to participate will receive $1,000, adding to the excitement and prestige of the event. The first ten bands to register will be given the opportunity… Read More

This week, GO Topeka and Plug and Play Topeka are excited to host the second annual Plug and Play Expo in downtown Topeka focusing on Agricultural Technology and Animal Health. Set to take place June 5-6, with the bulk of programming Thursday at Townsite Tower, the expo will bring attendees to Kansas’ capital city from around the world, demonstrating Topeka’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the heartland, within the Ag-Tech and Animal Health sectors. The Plug and Play Expo will feature one-of-a-kind sessions designed to highlight accomplishments of the latest startup cohorts graduating from Plug and Play’s Ag-Tech and Animal Health programs. Expo attendees—coming from places as… Read More

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a premier Legislative Luncheon being held Friday, May 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cyrus Hotel Ballroom in downtown Topeka. Those interested in public policy and elections, and the impact they have in our community and region, are invited to attend. The distinguished event promises to be an exceptional opportunity for engagement and dialogue with prominent speakers, all of whom serve as elected officials at the state and federal levels. The Topeka Chamber’s inaugural Legislative Luncheon of 2024 will feature esteemed guests, including U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Attendees will also… Read More

Forge Young Talent is thrilled to announce the release of new license plates featuring the Topeka flag, that are now available for purchase across the state of Kansas through your local county tag office. The distinctive license plates, adorned with the design of Topeka’s new city flag adopted in 2019, provide an opportunity for residents to showcase their pride in the capital city. “We are so proud to see this new license plate become available,” said Rhett Flood, Forge executive director. “Forge Young Talent worked hard with community leaders to bring the new city flag to life five years ago. Today, we’re unveiling another way to proudly display that design.… Read More

Following an in-person pitch event at Plug and Play Headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA, Plug and Play Topeka has announced the 16 Animal Health startups and 11 Agtech startups that were selected for the newest batches of the Animal Health and Agtech accelerator programs. The program aims to foster innovation within those two industries, both of which have a significant impact on the region. The chosen startups will participate in a series of business development webinars, mentor sessions with industry experts, and projects with the programs’ corporate partners(many of which have bases in the Midwest). This year’s cohort comprises companies from 10 different countries—and 10 different states within the United States.… Read More

With assistance from the Topeka Community Foundation, the Topeka Youth Commission is excited to announce its latest recipients of Stay785, an annual grant program created to fund community projects designed and directed by youths in the Topeka and Shawnee County area.   For its 2023-2024 term, Stay785 will fund three local youth-led projects with partnering organizations. This year’s awards, totaling $10,000, were determined by members of the Topeka Youth Commission, based on the quality and strength of each project presented. Awardees include the following: Naledi Mackenzie, receiving $7,400 for The Blessing Bee Project. Jaiden Wen, receiving $2,000 for his Mosaic Horse Project. Allie Sexton, receiving $600 for her Math Competition… Read More

The Greater Topeka Partnership is proud to announce recipients of its 2024 Annual Meeting Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. The awards will be presented at The Partnership’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 4, at West Ridge Mall. The Partnership’s highest honor, The Wolgast Award, is named after former Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast. The recipient each year is selected by the chair of the GTP Chairs Council, The Partnership’s board of directors. The 2024 Wolgast Award will be presented to Seth Wagoner, chair of Downtown Topeka’s Clean & Safe Task Force, for his tireless efforts to improve the downtown core, benefiting visitors, residents, and… Read More