Graders and dump trucks can be seen doing preliminary dirt work on a planned 40-acre truck plaza development north of Interstate 70 at Exit 157 on the western outskirts of Hays.

But developers won’t start actual construction until they hear from the city of Hays about whether they can get Tax Increment Financing incentives to bring water and sewer under the four-lane divided interstate highway.

“They are indeed putting together the documents they need to make application for incentives for a TIF for infrastructure for the projects,” said Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays. “At the same time they are busy soliciting hotels and restaurants for the development … all of that will be submitted to the city.”

(Read more: News – Butler County Times Gazette)