Cities Civil and Municipal September 2024

Beloit, Kansas

October 11, 2024

Beloit, Kansas

Model of Resilient Rural Living

Building a sustainable future while preserving its historical deep roots

Beloit, Kansas, is a town where the deep-rooted pride of its residents fuels a vibrant and resilient community. In a recent conversation with three key stakeholders—city Manager Halley Roberson, economic development director Emily Benedick, and Fort Hays Tech | North Central President Eric Burks—it becomes evident that Beloit is not just a place to live but a community that actively works together to shape its future.

In Beloit, the charm and tranquility of rural life coexist with a forward-thinking mindset that embraces modernity without losing sight of tradition. “It has that great balance of being rural—quiet, peaceful, people know each other, people are going to help you,” says Roberson, capturing what makes Beloit unique.

The sense of community in Beloit is palpable; neighbors look out for one another, and the town’s small size fosters a rare and cherished connectedness. In an era where rural America often faces challenges like depopulation and economic stagnation, Beloit stands out as an example of perseverance driven by the collective spirit of its people.

Pride and partnership

This sense of pride is complemented by a spirit of partnership that is the backbone of Beloit’s progress. The town’s growth is not the result of isolated efforts but of a community that works together toward common goals. “You just never feel like you’re on an island,” Benedick says, describing the collaborative nature of the town. Whether it’s infrastructure projects, economic development, or community events, the people of Beloit understand that they are stronger together.

A perfect example of this partnership is the town’s Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art health and fitness hub facility. “It is a partnership between the hospital, the city of Beloit, and the college. None of us could do it alone,” explains Burks. This collaboration ensures that the Wellness Center is not just a gym but a community resource that enhances the quality of life for all residents.

Sustainable infrastructure

For years, Beloit has invested heavily in projects ensuring its sustainability and resilience. These projects address current needs and prepare for future challenges. One of the most ambitious initiatives is expanding the town’s solar field. Currently, Beloit’s solar field produces two megawatts of electricity.

However, the town is looking to double this capacity. “We’re looking to add a minimum of two megawatts,” Roberson shares. The expansion would make Beloit 50% sustainable and renewable in energy production, positioning the town as a leader in sustainable energy in rural America.

The town is also upgrading its water treatment plant, a project connecting Beloit to a local reservoir, and reducing water loss by 10%. “As water becomes a bigger and bigger issue, this project is crucial,” Roberson notes. This upgrade is part of a broader effort to ensure that Beloit’s infrastructure can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental factors.

In addition to these projects, Beloit has a power plant that allows the town to generate electricity during an outage. This capability is a luxury and a critical component of the town’s resilience. “We can run our power plant and the whole city, and no one even knows anything bad has happened anywhere else,” Roberson explains. This level of energy independence is a significant draw for businesses considering setting up operations in Beloit.

Mitchell County Courthouse: Beloit serves as the county seat for Mitchell County. The Mitchell County Courthouse is one of many beautiful, historic limestone structures in Beloit.

Beyond agriculture

While agriculture remains the cornerstone of Beloit’s economy, the town is diversifying its economic base to include a range of industries. “Agriculture is king, but it’s not just a guy in a tractor,” Roberson points out. The agriculture sector in Beloit has evolved significantly over the past decade, incorporating advanced technologies that require a new breed of skilled workers. This has led to the growth of technology manufacturers and other businesses that support the agricultural industry.

Beloit’s economic diversification is further bolstered by its robust fiber internet infrastructure, which Cunningham Fiber, a local company, provides. “We have fantastic fiber internet in Beloit, and that’s something we can’t take for granted in our rural area,” Benedick emphasizes. The high-speed internet service is critical for attracting remote workers and technology-based businesses to the town.

The town is also making strategic investments in its airport. This project is expected to drive economic growth by attracting more businesses and private aviation enthusiasts to the area. “Our airport is expanding, and we’re excited about that,” Roberson says, highlighting the town’s commitment to building a diverse and resilient economy.

Laying the foundation

Education is a top priority in Beloit, and the town offers many opportunities for residents of all ages. Fort Hays Tech | North Central, a technical college that plays a significant role in workforce development, is at the heart of this commitment to education.The college has continuously evolved to meet the needs of local industries. “We’ve been here since 1964, and we’ve reinvented ourselves a few times throughout that 60 years,” he shares.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central offers a range of programs to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the local job market. The college’s strong partnerships with local businesses ensure its programs align with industry needs. “If there is a company in town that needs us to help them with employees, we just need to have that conversation,” Burks says, underscoring the college’s role in supporting Beloit’s economic growth.

The town’s commitment to education extends beyond the college level. Beloit’s public and private schools offer a rich academic experience that allows students to explore various interests. “If your child wants to play football, be in the drama department, and also be in the band, that is doable,” Burks notes.

One of the unique aspects of Beloit’s education system is its focus on partnerships between the schools and the community. For example, students from the local high schools can take classes at Fort Hays Tech | North Central, allowing them to graduate with both a high school diploma and a technical certification. “We’ve had students who graduated from high school at the same time that they graduated from a program here at Fort Hays Tech,” Burks shares.

Building for growth

As Beloit grows, the town is making significant investments in its housing market to accommodate new residents. Beloit’s housing market is somewhat limited, but exciting developments are on the horizon. One of the most promising projects involves the transformation of a former juvenile detention center into apartment units. “We have a developer that is going to put apartments into those buildings, potentially up to 40 units,” Benedick explains. This project will provide much-needed housing options for the town’s growing population, including students, young professionals, and seniors looking to downsize.

In addition to the apartment project, the city owns several vacant lots ready for development. These lots, developed with all utilities on-site, represent an opportunity for moderate-income housing projects that could further diversify Beloit’s housing stock. “We do have a moderate-income housing single-family project that we’re hoping to go in for, and we’re feeling optimistic about that,” Benedick says.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central also contributes to the housing market by building a house each year as part of its student training program. This house is sold at auction and often ends up in the local community, providing another source of high-quality housing. “We put at least one house into the market,” Eric notes. The college’s focus on training students in skilled trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work also helps ensure that Beloit has a steady supply of workers to support the housing market.

The heart of the community

The downtown area, with its original limestone buildings and vibrant main street, is home to various businesses, many of which have recently grown. “In the last year, we’ve seen quite a few businesses move into downtown, particularly in the healthcare sector,” Benedick says. This influx of businesses has helped revitalize the downtown area, making it a hub of activity and a source of pride for the community.

One of the standout businesses in downtown Beloit is the Kettle, a coffee shop that serves as a social gathering spot for the community. “It’s not only a coffee shop but also a place where you can enjoy live music, wine, and other beverages,” Burks shares. The Kettle has become a popular destination for locals and visitors, offering a welcoming atmosphere where people can relax and connect.

Other local favorites are Plum Creek and Bubba Q’s, both restaurants that draw people from around the region. “Bubba Qs has some amazing barbecue,” Roberson says, highlighting the high quality of the town’s dining options. The presence of such unique and locally owned businesses adds to the charm of downtown Beloit and reinforces its role as the heart of the community.

Beloit Memorial Day Parade: The City of Beloit is known for their fantastic Memorial and Veteran’s Day parades.

Community spirit

Beloit’s strong sense of community is vividly reflected in its year-round events and festivals, which bring residents together and draw visitors from across the region. The Isle of Lights, a beloved Christmas light display in Chautauqua Park, transforms the area into a winter wonderland, attracting thousands of visitors annually. “It’s a Christmas extravaganza,” says Roberson, while Benedick notes the event is entirely volunteer-run, showcasing the town’s dedication to creating a magical experience.

Millapalooza, an all-day downtown festival, features a car show, food market, chalk art competitions, art and wine walk, and live music. It has become a cherished community tradition in just six years. Beloit also hosts significant Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades. The Veterans Day parade is one of the largest in the state, drawing participants and spectators from across the region. “We kind of pull people in from all over the region that want to come be in that parade,” Benedick says.

The state disc golf championship held at Chautauqua Park further highlights the town’s commitment to local culture and recreation. Beloit’s course is recognized as one of the best in Kansas. “We even have a disc golf shop downtown now,” Benedick shares.

Goals and objectives for the future

As Beloit looks to the future, the town has set ambitious goals to shape its development over the next decade. At the forefront of these plans is a commitment to sustainability and resilience. “Much of that will be seen in electric,” Roberson explains. The town is focused on expanding its renewable energy capacity, emphasizing increasing its solar power generation. “We want to bring in independent electricity, making the city more sustainable and robust,” Roberson adds.

Beloit’s leadership recognizes the importance of maintaining and strengthening the town’s infrastructure to support future growth. This includes ongoing upgrades to the water and sewer systems and the continued expansion of the town’s energy infrastructure. “We’re seeing more and more volatile storms, more and more weather events. If we can make the city more sustainable and efficient, that will be a big deal,” Roberson emphasizes.

As Beloit continues to grow and evolve, the town remains committed to preserving the qualities that make it a special place to live. This includes maintaining its historic downtown, fostering a strong sense of community, and ensuring residents can access the services and amenities they need to thrive. “Beloit checks many boxes,” Burks says, summarizing the town’s appeal. “And we hope people give us a serious look and come check us out.”