Hays is one of four communities involved in the MOKAN Take Charge Challenge. It will engage businesses and organizations from the cities in Kansas and Missouri in an exciting competition designed to impact energy and water efficiency with organizations of all types through education, engagement and results.

The competition builds on the success of the Kansas Take Charge Challenge, which was created by the Climate + Energy Project in 2009. The first two Kansas Take Charge Challenges were residential challenges; residents of 22 Kansas cities completed activities that saved a collective 110 billion BTUs of energy. The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge has redeveloped the previous residential success into a new challenge targeting the business community.

Challenge leadership teams in each community have gained key supporters by partnering with utility companies – Midwest Energy in Hays. The Challenge, which will run from August 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014, will include  Hays, Hutchinson, and Kansas City. It will also include the Missouri city of Warrensburg.

Midwest Energy has been a partner utility in both of the previous Take Charge Challenges for the western Kansas communities of Quinter, Kinsley, Oakley, WaKeeney, and Colby. Quinter and Colby won the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Challenges.

The local leadership team in Hays, Kansas is already being formed and is planning Challenge activities and events for the community. A kickoff event will be held on August 8 from 5-7 PM at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine. Refreshments will be provided. Among others, the City of Hays will be actively involved seeking opportunities to improve the efficiency of water use.

The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge will use the spirit of competition to drive participation and success. Each participating business has the opportunity to win a local prize, with the Hays prize being provided by Midwest Energy. At the same time, the businesses within each city will compete against those in the other cities for a grand prize of $10,000. The grand prize, provided by Climate + Energy Project will be used for a community efficiency project selected by the winning community.