One youth softball tournament can bring in over $500,000 into the community. That is just one of the impacts tourism has on the local economy, said Great Bend Community Coordinator and Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes said, speaking to the City Council Monday night. “Last week was National Tourism week,” she said. “I just want to go over a couple facts, because as a board member for the (Kansas Tourism Office) it is part of our job to share what Kansas tourism does with our councils and boards.” Source: Great Bend Tribune

A large number of Great Bend residents flocked to the City Council meeting Monday night, supporting the idea of raising chickens within the city limits, as well as voicing their frustration with what they called a vague ordinance governing backyard fowl. However, not all on the council were keen to the idea that arose during the public comment section of the City Hall meeting. No action could be taken, but it will be on the agenda June 5. Source: Great Bend Tribune

While many unknowns remain concerning the City of Great Bend’s 2023 budget, the City Council Monday night gave tacit approval of a plan that would raise the minimum wage for starting city employees to $15.50. The goal would be to make the pay more in line with other employers. The increase was the subject of a council work session following its agenda meeting. No final action could be taken. “This is really just an attempt to be more competitive in the in the job market,” Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said. The idea was born of Barton County’s raising its minimum [...]

Concluding a process that started this past December, Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt Monday night appointed Brandon Anderson as the next city administrator. This was the culmination of a series of executive sessions and discussions spanning five months. Anderson will begin his duties in Great Bend June 30. A Caney, Kan., native, Anderson is a 1995 Kansas State University graduate who has served as the city manager in Levelland, Texas, since 2006. Levelland is a town of 12,652 residents west of Lubbock. Source: Great Bend Tribune

The Macksville City Library is hosting a grand opening celebration. “After 12 years of fundraising and nine months of construction, the new addition to our library is complete, and we are READy to Serve!” said Jody Suiter, library director. The public is invited to visit the library on Wednesday, May 3, for a “Come & Go & Check Out the Library” event from 1-6 p.m. “We are excited to share this milestone with our patrons, friends, benefactors and the community at large,” Suiter said. "Come see the new addition and learn about all the library has to offer with technology, resources, [...]

A multinational energy company’s proposal to place a five-acre solar farm in southern Pawnee County has officials looking at spelling out the rules and regulations governing solar energy generation. At present, there are no policies on the county’s books regarding commercial alternative energy production. As the renewable energy source gains ground across the state, more Kansas counties are looking at whether solar farms would be a bankable asset or a risk to traditional agriculture producers. Source: Great Bend Tribune

To add a new splash of color and summer vibes to the City of Claflin’s swimming pool, the mural-promoting group Barton Arts Movement has selected the facility’s entrance as its next project. BAM is still seeking the last of the funds needed to make it a reality. “We’re excited about this next project in Claflin this summer,” said Andrea Bauer, who is spearheading effort for BAM. “We’re planning for early summer installation.” But, she said, “the timeline is still a little fluid at this point.” Great Bend artist Anna Popp will handle the creative endeavors, but she is finishing up the [...]

Mel Waite of Ellinwood was grateful for the Barton County Commission’s Facade Improvement Grant Program, telling the commissioners Wednesday morning that it has made an impact and sparked countywide effort to make communities look better. “I applaud the commission for taking the initiative to take on this project,” said Waite, who came before the governing body Wednesday with a project of his own. Other improvement in Ellinwood inspired him (or shamed him) to seek the funds for his business. Source: Great Bend Tribune

The City of Great Bend’s new Justice Center slated for completion in August and the long-standing Expo I and II buildings that were just transferred to city ownership by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce are on the forefront for city officials. As for the Justice Center at 12th and Baker, it is starting to take shape, both inside and out, Interim City Administrator Logan Burns said. The brickwork around the entrance area is underway and window installation will start Monday. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Another set of Barton County Facade Improvement Grant applications were approved by the County Commission Wednesday morning as commissioners harked back on a program that has become a popular one. “We were right in the middle of COVID,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3. “The federal government decided that they wanted to give us a whole pot of money. We had to figure out how to redistribute that throughout the county.” They conceived a way to utilize some of the funds to “reinvest it into our main street business owners. “What better way to have a lasting impact on our [...]