Category: News

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

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading

The Topeka Riverfront Advisory Council is pleased to announce its first community survey informing the Topeka Riverfront Activation Plan is now complete, garnering close to 1,500 submissions that provided input on riverfront perceptions, as well as activities and amenities community members would like to see as property is developed along the stretch of Kansas River running through Shawnee County.   The survey, which remained open Dec. 14 through Jan. 12, was promoted on social media, posted to the project website MyTopekaRiverfront.com, and sent to all email and text message subscribers, collecting feedback from 1,489 respondents. Of those, 74% agree the river is an untapped resource, 57% think the river is… Read More

Continue Reading

Welcoming a new chair and chair-elect, the Greater Topeka Partnership is pleased to announce its distinguished leadership team for 2024.   Dr. Shekhar Challa, an accomplished doctor and co-founder of Kansas Medical Clinic, has assumed the pivotal role of Greater Topeka Partnership Chair, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a commitment to advancing the region’s prosperity. Joining Dr. Challa in a key leadership position is Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, President of Washburn University, who has stepped into the role of Chair-Elect. Alongside Immediate Past-Chair John Dicus, CEO of Capitol Federal, their combined expertise and dedication to serving the community are set to steer The Partnership toward strategic initiatives that… Read More

Continue Reading

Forge Young Talent, a leading organization in the region for empowering and connecting young professionals, proudly hosted its 2nd annual Kansas Young Professionals Day at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 5. The milestone event brought together nearly 100 young professionals from various communities across Kansas and coincided with the state’s 2024 recognition of Feb. 5 as Kansas Young Professionals Day.   Attendees from Topeka were joined by participants from such communities as Manhattan, Salina and Wichita, with groups across the state invited to take part. The event included programming and networking and provided a platform for young professionals to engage with elected officials at the Statehouse, ensuring their voices were… Read More

Continue Reading

The Greater Topeka Partnership and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce tickets are now on sale for the communities’ collaborative intercity visit to Boise, Idaho, coming up July 16-19, 2024.    The unique trip—a joint effort that aims to unite community leaders and passionate stakeholders from both cities—promises to foster a spirit of partnership and collaboration, as attendees learn from the vibrant, forward-thinking Boise. The intercity visit will provide participants with special networking opportunities, thoughtful programming, insightful discussions, and a chance to explore Boise’s thriving community core.    “We are thrilled to embark on this intercity visit, alongside our counterparts in Lincoln,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the… Read More

Continue Reading

The Greater Topeka Partnership is excited to announce its 2024 Annual Meeting, themed “Totally Topeka,” is scheduled for Thursday, April 4. This year’s event will take place at West Ridge Mall, offering a memorable celebration of Topeka’s past and future.   The 80’s themed experience promises a bit of nostalgia, alongside exceptional food, entertainment, and programming. Taking the event to new heights this year, The Partnership proudly announces 1980’s pop superstar Tiffany as the event’s musical guest. Tiffany, known for her Billboard No. 1 hit “I Think We’re Alone Now,” will take attendees on a trip down memory lane with her iconic mall-era tunes.   “We couldn’t be prouder to… Read More

Continue Reading

Forge Young Talent, Topeka’s premier young professional’s group, is pleased to honor the four inaugural recipients of its Forge YP Awards. The awardees were recognized on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Forge’s 25th Anniversary Gala held at the Topeka Zoo’s Kay McFarland Japanese Garden and Venue. The gala, a first-time event that saw more than 100 attendees, served as a celebration of Forge turning 25 and allowed young professionals from across Topeka to come together for an evening of connection, recognition, and fun.   “I believe Topeka is home to some of the hardest working, most innovative, and supportive young professionals—not only in Kansas, but in the region and the U.S.—and… Read More

Continue Reading