If you’ve driven through or visited Beloit recently, you may have noticed some exciting new additions around town. Eleven wayfinding signs and two new entry signs are now installed — welcoming people to Beloit and helping visitors better navigate our community. With these updates in place and similar conversations taking place across Mitchell County, it’s a great time to reflect on how these signage projects came to be and why signage is such an important investment for rural communities and economic development.

Years in the Making: The Beloit Signage Project
This initiative has been nearly six years in the making. It began with Beloit’s participation in the Kansas State Research and Extension (KSRE) First Impressions program. As part of this program, representatives from Clay Center visited Beloit anonymously and reported on their experience. One of the clearest takeaways from their visit was the need for better signage — both for wayfinding and at the community’s entrances.

Since then, a committed group of community volunteers, city staff, and summer interns have worked diligently to bring these signage projects to life. One of the more exciting aspects of this project is the direct involvement of two summer interns who helped shape the designs and planning efforts.

In 2019, Kollette Keeten, a Dane G. Hansen intern working with former SVED Director Heather Hartman, helped develop the original entry and wayfinding signage designs. While the graphic elements evolved over time, Kollette’s work laid a solid foundation for both projects, and her entry sign concept remained largely intact due to its unique and lasting appeal.

In 2023, SVED hosted another intern, Dinah Newman, through the Fort Hays State University intern program supported by the Hansen Foundation. Dinah worked with current SVED Director Emily Benedick to refine the signage designs and physically stake out the locations for the entry signs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see projects our interns contributed to finally come to life.

Bringing Wayfinding Signage to Life
To develop the wayfinding signs, a public survey was conducted to determine which Beloit destinations should be highlighted. Based on those results, Emily Benedick and the signage committee finalized the list of locations, then partnered with Schurle Signs of Riley, Kansas, to design and fabricate the signage. Installation was completed by City of Beloit Director of Transportation Raymond Budke and his crew — a team whose in-kind work was vital to making this project financially feasible.

The wayfinding signage project was funded through a SEED grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, with matching funds and support provided by the City of Beloit.

Entry Signage Takes Shape
For the entry signs, the City of Beloit partnered with Finn-Kool Manufacturing to bring the unique designs to life. Amanda Solt played a key role in managing the design and fabrication details. Once again, the city’s transportation crew, led by Raymond Budke, handled installation — a testament to the skill and dedication of our city workforce.

This portion of the project was funded by a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, along with in-kind labor and matching funds from the City of Beloit.

Why Signage Matters
In rural communities, signage is more than just directional — it’s transformational. Well-designed entry and wayfinding signage shape a town’s first impression, encourage exploration, and reflect community pride. Without major landmarks or dense visitor traffic, small towns like Beloit must be intentional about how they present themselves to passersby.

Entry signs serve as a visual handshake — welcoming people in and letting them know they’ve arrived somewhere worth exploring. Beloit’s downtown is not directly on US 24, which makes it easy to miss without proper signage. Improving visibility increases the chance that travelers will take a detour into town, stop for a meal, or explore local businesses — creating a positive ripple effect for our economy.

Wayfinding signage is just as essential. It connects people to public facilities, parks, shops, and attractions they may not otherwise find. By guiding movement through the community and raising awareness of what’s already here, these signs can help spark new projects, boost tourism, and support long-term development.

A Community That’s Proud to Show the Way
As Beloit — and Mitchell County as a whole — continues to evolve, the addition of well-placed, attractive signage serves as both a point of pride and a warm invitation to all who pass through. These signs are more than just functional — they’re a symbol of who we are, how far we’ve come, and how excited we are for what’s ahead.

If your community is exploring signage, Emily Benedick, SVED Director, is happy to help!
Contact her at ebenedick@beloitks.org or 785-738-3000.