Burrton getting multiple housing starts

27 Wednesday, December 27

Burrton getting multiple housing starts

info2023-12-27T11:01:00-06:00December 27th, 2023|

Burrton residents can expect new neighbors in the coming years after the city has three housing starts this year. According to City Clerk Kim Ryan, in previous years the city had about one housing start a year. Beth Anne Kingsley, a real estate agent for the Burrton area, said she expected at least three more housing starts next year, as well. “I thought that was a pretty cool thing,” Kingsley said. The population of Burrton has declined steadily since 2000. According to the national census, between 2010 and 2020, the population decreased by 4.4 percent. In other parts of the county, Hesston and Newton’s populations [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

Hiawatha native will donate old parking meter to Brown County Historical Society

info2023-12-27T10:59:35-06:00December 27th, 2023|

People collect old pieces of the city-whether they are old service equipment or other items-because they help tell a story of the city’s past. Hiawatha native Rod Colvin will donate old penny-operated parking meters to the Brown County Historical Society, as he believes it is important to help with informing residents about Hiawatha’s local history. Colvin acquired the meter from his mother, who also gave a parking meter to his brother. “The meters are part of our memories of downtown Hiawatha for those of us living in Hiawatha at the time,” Colvin said. “You put money in the parking meter--it was [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

Newton community raises over $100K during campaign for all-inclusive playground

info2023-12-27T10:57:39-06:00December 27th, 2023|

Newton Public Schools is celebrating a successful campaign for an all-inclusive elementary school playground. "Slate Creek Elementary serves as the home to Harvey County’s severely-multiply disabled (SMD) classroom where many students may have mobility devices or other special needs. Those devices and other special needs may limit their ability to play on existing playground equipment," said NPS in a news release. During the month of November, a variety of families, businesses, and organizations contributed to a double-match fundraiser to raise money for the playground. The "All Together Now" inclusive playground initiative raised $103,000 thanks to a matching grant from the Patterson Family Foundation [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

GB Eco Devo talk

info2023-12-27T10:55:38-06:00December 27th, 2023|

Great Bend Economic Development Inc. has a lot on its plate right now, from the new Advancing Barton County Childcare daycare center in Great Bend to a host of programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. Lee Ann June, GBED communications director, took a moment Thursday afternoon to touch on what is happening on the eco devo front. Recently hired ABCC Site Director Kelsie Baxter “is very excited about getting started,” June said. This week, they started posting and advertising the 11 remaining job postings for that center. These include lead teacher, assistant teachers and part-time providers. Applications were available on the ABCC website, gbedinc.com/abcc, as [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

Pottawatomie County superintendents reflect on eventful 2023

info2023-12-27T10:52:49-06:00December 27th, 2023|

As the 2023 school year comes to a close, Superintendents Joan Simoneau of USD 323, and Rob McKim of USD 320, reflect on the year and preview what they are looking forward to in 2024. Simoneau emphasized the importance work her district has done in 2023 on helping young students improve their reading skills district-wide. McKim discusses how, administratively, his job is beginning to slow down for him as he continues to settle into the new role and moves into the new year. Simoneau notes the important work her district has done on their strategic plan as the look forward to [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

Matfield Green raising funds for new public park, “The Green”

info2023-12-27T10:51:05-06:00December 27th, 2023|

Matfield Green Works is starting the new year with a new dream: The Green. “We are holding onto our dream of a new gallery and welcome center in the former Bank Art Space but shifting focus to an immediately achievable goal: The Green is a welcoming park on the property we own across the street from the Bank,” the board of directors announced Thursday. “We are excited about this simple project that will benefit the entire community.” According to the board, the Green will provide a much-needed public toilet, accessible parking, picnic shelter, drinking fountain/ pet watering and bottle filling station, [...]

27 Wednesday, December 27

Cowley hires firm to tout economic impact

info2023-12-27T10:50:11-06:00December 27th, 2023|

An economic impact study done for Cowley College analyzing its 2021-2022 fiscal year showed alumni generated $179.4 million in added income for the regional economy, the equivalent of supporting 2,582 jobs. That is one of several findings in he study done by Lightcast for the junior college, according to a press release. Other findings include (1) Graduates with an associates degree from earned $14,000 more per year compared to Kansas with just a high school diploma. (2) Cowley injected $203.5 million into the Cowley College regional service area economy that supported 3,071 regional jobs, using the jobs-to-sales ratios specific to each [...]

24 Sunday, December 24

Schools implement open enrollment as legislators eye bolder policies

info2023-12-25T08:21:11-06:00December 24th, 2023|

Every Kansas school district must implement by the end of the year some form of an open enrollment policy, which allows students to attend public schools outside of their geographical boundaries. Open enrollment was part of House Bill 2567 from the 2022 legislative session. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed the law, which also fully funded K-12 schools, despite objections from some Democrats on open enrollment. Many school districts across the state are just now finalizing their open enrollment policies after learning what they’re legally allowed to do. “There have been organization that have been able to push some information out to [...]

22 Friday, December 22

Bel Aire’s city manager retires after 17 years as suburb awaits Integra expansion

info2023-12-22T10:40:08-06:00December 22nd, 2023|

After 17 years in the role, Bel Aire city manager Ty Lasher has announced he will retire on March 29 — a move that comes while the Wichita-based manufacturer Integra Technologies is poised to build a new $1.8-billion semiconductor facility in Bel Aire. Lasher, who said he began discussion about his retirement in 2021, will be replaced by Ted Henry, Bel Aire's assistant city manager for the last 3 years. "Bel Aire is in a great place with a bright future," Lasher, a native of McLouth, said in an emailed statement. "I felt it was time to step aside and allow someone with new [...]

22 Friday, December 22

Commerce Awards 2023 SEED Grants to 13 Kansas Communities

info2023-12-22T10:37:42-06:00December 22nd, 2023|

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced the newest award recipients for the Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grant program. In total, 13 recipients will receive nearly $275,000 to invest in small communities across the state. “Our state’s smallest communities are finding new and effective ways to become more economically viable and productive,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The quality-of-life investments being made through this program will generate economic development success and prosperity for Kansans now and in the future.” Awardees are located in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, as [...]