By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
At the beginning of the year, Barton County moved from funding Great Bend Economic Development $250,000 a year to project-based funding. All projects now go before the Barton County Commission before receiving funding. Because of that drop in funding, Great Bend Economic Development requested an additional $125,000 from the City of Great Bend.
Eco Devo Director Sara Arnberger said her department has scaled back in several areas to make up for the loss in funding.
"Any of our programs that we have done, we've been able to turn to being entirely sponsor funded instead of using any of our budget," said Arnberger. "We cut down on our marketing budget significantly, meals and hospitality, staff development and operations and supplies budget. Those are the main items where things have come down from."
Great Bend currently funds Economic Development $250,000. In the 2026 budget request, Eco Devo requested $375,000.
Arnberger said over the last few years, Economic Development has loaned over $2 million to start or expand entrepreneurs and helped more than 60 individuals or groups with business plans.
"Last year, we brought in over $7 million over what was committed by from city and county to be able to accomplish things like the Innovation Center, Childcare Center and other programs that we do such as the Ignite program. We'll continue to bring in funds to make things happen as well."
Great Bend Economic Development is one of five outside agencies that requested more funding from the City of Great Bend in the 2026 budget.