By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
On Tuesday, the Barton County Commission rehashed the 2025 FaƧade Improvement Grant program, giving financial assistance to businesses in downtown areas to improve their buildingās exterior. The night before at the Great Bend City Council meeting, councilmember Gary Parr said constituents were asking him why the City of Great Bend was not participating in the matching portion of the program.
"The county is throwing in money," said Parr. "Hoisington is part of this. Ellinwood is part of this. Claflin is part of this. Our businesses are simply saying they're all part of this, why aren't we a part of that? When the county, to beautify our city, is throwing in $120,000 and we're not throwing in a penny."
Barton County has pledged $120,000 for faƧade projects. There are two projects in Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington with a $20,000 maximum grant. In Great Bend, there are six projects allotted for with a $10,000 cap.
The cities of Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington have added another $60,000 for businesses approved for the grant in their communities. Mayor Cody Schmidt responded to Parr stating there are many projects the city has to consider.
"If we have all this money you think we have, we could do anything you want," said Schmidt. "The other thing I want to bring up is if you have all of these people hitting you up, there are eight council members and a mayor. If they want to join this room and come speak their opinion, show up and do it."
"Why did they vote me in, if they have to show up?" responded Parr. "They're going to come talk to their representative. I'm merely doing what they asked me to do."
It was also mentioned at Mondayās council meeting that the countyās request for the match funds came last December, when the cityās budget is already set.
So far, 63 businesses have taken advantage of the FaƧade Improvement Grant program that started in 2021.
Listen below to the discussion on the Facade Improvement Grant program from the Great Bend City Council meeting on April 21, 2025.