Pittsburg State Economic and Community Engagement

08/12/2026

Block22 and Pittsburg State Economic and Community Engagement had the honor of celebrating the ribbon cuttings for the Besse Hotel and the Kelce College of Business yesterday. These transformative initiatives will strengthen university-community ties, expand student housing, and provide state-of-the-art facilities for learning and collaboration.

The first floor of the Besse Hotel will serve as a hub for the PSU Center for Reading, supporting those with reading challenges; the Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State, empowering local entrepreneurs; and ConnectEd PSU, which connects K-12 education with higher learning. We are deeply grateful to our alumni, students, faculty, university and community leaders, local businesses, and friends of Pittsburg State for joining us in this celebration. Together, we are shaping a future that inspires progress and opportunity for all.

Read the full story about the new Kelce College of Business and renovated Besse Hotel here: https://bit.ly/45mBjoI

07/29/2026

The Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State plays a key role in empowering startups and small businesses to succeed. We are glad that Dacia can share their story with organizations like the Pittsburg Rotary Club on how they can help our community!

Thank you, Dacia Clark, for giving us an inside look at what you and your team do at the PSU Small Business Development Center!

Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State

06/08/2026

Thank you to the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) for visiting Crawford County and facilitating an inspiring strategy session with leaders from across our region.

We are grateful for the opportunity to come together, celebrate our strengths, identify new opportunities, and explore ways to become even more collaborative in supporting our communities, businesses, entrepreneurs, and workforce.

The conversations reinforced what we already know: Southeast Kansas is filled with innovative people and organizations committed to building a stronger future together. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their ideas, energy, and vision for what comes next!

Pittsburg State University

05/20/2026

Happy birthday, Pittsburg! Like Governor Laura Kelly said, here's to the next 150 years! 🥳

04/29/2026

Did someone say they wanted a sneak peak of the Besse Apartments? 🔎

04/23/2026

If they were in charge, this post would’ve been on time!

Happy Administrative Professionals Day, a day late but well deserved, to the team who truly keep everything together. From supporting our programs, finances, and partners to stepping in to teach and lead when needed, you do far more than the title suggests, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.

04/17/2026

A powerful moment of validation for years of partnership and progress with the City of Pittsburg, Kansas.
As Wes Streeter and Blake Benson shared, the Pittsburg model isn’t just working — it’s something others can replicate.
Proud to be part of the work that continues to move our community forward!

04/16/2026

What a great day to host Chamber Coffee! We were happy to see so many familiar and new faces!

We are grateful for our team at Block22 including the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas SBDC at Pittsburg State, ConnectED, PSU Center for Reading, Voyage Insurance Group, and Pitt Housing for giving a short glimpse into how powerful ecosystem, fueling growth, opportunity, and support across every corner of our community.

A big thank you goes to TOAST, The Balkan, and Signet Coffee Roasters for providing food and drinks to our guests this morning!

03/31/2026

Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses is at the heart of what we do. By overseeing the Kansas SBDC and providing space for innovative tenants like TOAST, we’re helping fuel growth, creativity, and opportunity in our community!

03/24/2026

This is a great opportunity to support young entrepreneurs of Kansas!

Support student success and sponsor the Eastern Kansas YEC at Pittsburg State University! Up to 50 student businesses from across the state of Kansas will compete to prove they are the best to win prizes and scholarship money! Sponsorships help build confidence, skills, and opportunities while strengthening Kansas’s future workforce and economy.
Be a part of their success story and reach out to Terri Blessent at [email protected] for packages starting at $250!