By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
At Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting, councilmember Davis Jimenez
brought up the changes in funding for Great Bend Economic Development. In recent years, Barton
County was matching the city’s contribution to Economic Development of
$250,000.
In a letter addressed to Great Bend Economic Development Board President Paul
Snapp from December 2024, the Barton County Commission outlined their move to
fund economic development differently throughout the county.
The Commission decided to transition to “project-base economic development
funding” effective Jan. 1, 2025. Barton County will no longer
automatically allocate funding or participate in the selection committee or
other Great Bend Economic Development board responsibilities.
The Commission stated they will be a funding source for projects benefitting the
entirety of the county.
Rather than releasing funds directly to Great Bend
Economic Development, the county will prioritize funding based on project
selection with the highest priority given to the completion of the Hoisington
child care center.
The Great Bend City Council will discuss Great Bend Economic Development
funding at their budget work sessions this spring and summer.
