By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
One successful grant could cover the cost of Barton County’s latest expenditure. Tuesday morning, the board of commissioners approved a $122,400 contract with Hometown Grants for the purpose of grant writing. County Administrator Matt Patzner presented the issue to the commission.
“In early 2025, the commission hired Hometown Grants to create up to four grant applications during a 12-month period,” he said. “In August 2025, the contract expanded for additional services for Ellinwood and Hoisington. As the commission moves forward with project-based economic development funding, the 2026 agreement has been expanded to include one funding strategy each for Albert and Pawnee Rock, as well as eight grant applications.”
These grants may include personnel and construction funding for Central Kansas Community Correction, as well as infrastructure for Claflin, Ellinwood, and Hoisington. Along with the $10,200 monthly fee for services, the contract includes a $24,480 contingency budget.
“We need to invest in growth,” said Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson. “This is an organization that has a good track record of writing successful grants – grants that are like water grants, sewer treatment grants, things that cost our cities and our rural water districts a lot of money. Where are they going to get that money? Well, if we as a county can help oversee the process a little bit and bring in some heavy-hitter grant writers, and get some of these projects done, then we’re going to save property taxes in these cities, and hopefully incentivize growth.”
Last year, Hometown Grants assisted Barton County Rural Water District No. 2 secure $980,000 in grant funding for the construction of a new well. The Barton Commission also pledged $65,000 to support the project for the area that serves several subdivisions north of Great Bend.