By DALE HOGG
Barton County Media Consultant
As the Barton County Commission pushes forward with its popular main street refreshing Façade Improvement Grant program, commissioners Tuesday morning approved two such awards, allocating a total of $45,756.16 for projects in Claflin and Hoisington. The funding will support businesses looking to revitalize their storefronts.
The commission approved a $32,203.46 grant for the Claflin Main Street Corridor Project. The project, with a total cost of $42,937.94, will benefit four businesses: Bailey’s Food Bin, Inc.; Cheyenne Bottoms Armory LLC; Quilting by Vickie; and Squeegy’s Bar and Grill.
The business owners, including Troy Bailey, Ryan Oeser, Vickie Oeser, and CiJi Folk, will provide a 25% match of $10,734.48. County Administrator Matt Patzner said the City of Claflin approved the grant during its meeting on Monday night, Aug. 11, a meeting attended by members of the commission.
“I think when Commissioner Hutchinson came up with this idea to include the cities, I think this is exactly what we were looking for,” Commission Chairman Tricia Schlessiger, District 4, said of towns in the county participating in the FIG effort. “I don't think you could ask for a better option.”
“This isn't a public-private partnership. This is a county-city partnership, then a public-private partnership,” Hutchinson said. “And when we work together like that, it's amazing what we can achieve.”
The commission also approved a grant of $13,552.70 for Caitlyn Meitner of Brick & Blossom in Hoisington. The total cost of the project is $18,030.26, and the city of Hoisington had already approved the grant. Meitner will contribute a 25% match of $4,477.56.
“I've been in contact with Jonathan Mitchell, the city manager of Hoisington, their city council, and everyone is behind this, this project, they want to see it happen,” County Administrator Matt Patzner said.
“It's going to be transformative for the entire town, especially that property,” Hutchinson said, referencing the artist’s rendering of the final product. “I mean, when somebody takes that much pride to beautify their property the way that Caitlin's getting ready to do, it's just going to be amazing.”
“She said she wants to make the outside of her building match the inside of the building. And they worked really hard on the inside of their building, and now she's ready to make the outside match. So, she's pretty excited,” Schlessiger said.
The new grants are part of a larger facade improvement program. From 2021 to 2023, the commission allocated $880,000 for the program, with $862,705.07 already paid out. An additional $120,000 has been pledged for 2025, with matching grants from the cities of Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington. After an initial round, the deadline for this round of applications was pushed to June 30.
The Sauer Chiropractic project has been completed but not yet submitted for payment.
During the commission’s afternoon study session, FIG grants were reviewed for The Buckle, Moses Properties and Sarge’s Saloon, all of Great Bend.
About Barton County
Located in Central Kansas, Barton County lives by its motto of investing in growth. Supporting a variety of initiatives, the Barton County Commission invites residents to be part of broader conversations and to work in a joint effort for a robust economy, improved quality of life and collaboration that positions Barton County for the future. Check it out at 1400 Main Street, Suite 108, Great Bend, KS 67530, 620-793-1800, www.bartoncounty.org.