Municipal News & Jobs

Newton’s downtown has a 92 percent occupancy rate.

That’s the result of an unscientific walking survey conducted by Newton Now, looking at some 185 locations in the city’s central businesses district, consisting of Main Street from First to Eighth Street and including the side intersecting streets from Fourth to Seventh Street.

The number represents a small uptick from the 90 percent occupancy found by Newton Now in 2017.

Scott Sewell, director of the state’s Main Street program said a strong downtown represents an important asset for Newton.
“If you look at sales tax, property tax, the number of jobs downtown, I couldn’t guess how many jobs are in downtown Newton, but if you looked at it as a whole, it’s probably as big an employer as any in your community,” he said. “It’s really important as city leaders or community to look at it collectively, then you can start realizing that it’s important for us to support this.”

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

Hesston faces some unique challenges compared to similar like-sized cities when trying to come up with ways to attract people downtown.

“We essentially have a one-block downtown, or that’s how it appears to people who visit or come to shop,” City Administrator Gary Emry said.

Emry is among about a dozen residents on a downtown revitalization committee who are tasked with formulating ways to attract people to Hesston’s downtown. The group has been meeting since May to figure out how to make downtown vital.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

There are fewer vacant buildings downtown on Halstead’s Main Street than there were this time a year ago. The city saw a burst of business growth in 2019 with half a dozen new businesses starting up.

Local businessman Cory Harrington was a big part encouraging that growth by working with building owners to negotiate affordable lease rates. Thanks to Harrington’s efforts, Fiesta Mexico Grill came to 221 Main, Henry’s Chase came to 261 Main, and The Twisted Cow and A Marie Studios came to share 230 Main. These represent three buildings that were vacant at the start of the year that now are filled.

Harrington also kept spaces filled at the shared 309 Main building. When the Tortoise Gallery relocated from 309 to 224 in January, Mom Cave Designs quickly filled its old spot. An office at the rear of 309 was filled by SJ Beauty Bar in October after the previous tenant left.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)

There are two simple attributes that Bill Ewert has tried to embody throughout his life.

“My motto was for commitment and service,” he said. “That will be my life sketch at my funeral.”

One of the ways he’s exemplified those traits was during his 10-and-a-half year career as Halstead’s mayor. His final city council meeting as mayor was Monday.

The end of his time as mayor is bittersweet for him, he said. The people he’s worked alongside at the city have made it an enjoyable experience for him.

(Read more: Harvey County Now)