By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In 2021, Barton County allocated $630,000 for Façade Improvement Grants. The grants were designed to assist business owners in updating their building’s physical appearance. In 2023, the county directed $250,000 for the grants.
Barton County Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson stated the initiative was well received among the business community.
"What we did was incentivize something we wanted to see happen," said Hutchinson. "We wanted to see the downtowns get refreshed. They were starting to look kind of bad. We put it in the private sector's hands and then we got out of the way. The more we can do something like that, we'll always be successful."
Through all of the projects, 43 local contractors were utilized. The total investment, including what the county paid out and the business’ match, was just over $1.7 million.
For 2025, Barton County has pledged $120,000 for the façade projects in Claflin, Ellinwood, Hoisington and Great Bend. The Commission has invited those cities to provide financial support to increase the dollar amount available for projects.
"What we're trying to do is figure out what this might look like going forward with the partnership from the different cities," said Hutchinson. "It can look very different in Claflin then it does in Ellinwood, for instance. Partnering with the cities, and putting them more in the driver's seat for what their specific needs are, is going to be key for continuing this project in the future."
The Commission and other county officials will meet with council members of those city governments on Thursday, March 6 at 4 p.m. at the Historic Wolf Hotel in Ellinwood. During the meeting, the Commission will review program requirements for the Façade Improvement program.
The Commission presented Hutchinson a plaque thanking him for his initiative to help get the Facade Improvement program started.