Liberal-KS

7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 L I BERAL , KANSAS the sector’s importance, saying it “employs more than 3,000 people in the community” and contributes to a circle of related businesses, including feedlots and grain farmers. While not strictly a company town, Liberal has a strong relationship with the beef industry, which has been a part of the community since the 1960s. A beef wastewater facility in Liberal, a critical component of the local economy, has recently been recognized with a prestigious green award. This project involved National Beef and the city of Liberal, with both parties investing in their own wastewater treatment facilities. According to Svaty, these facilities not only support the vital beef industry but can also be an attractor for other industries looking to relocate. On the development front, City Manager Varnado shares some of the city’s innovative and sustainable initiatives. One such project involves the wastewater management facility, designed to support 20 years of growth capacity. “We generally process about a million and a half gallons of water daily,” he says, “and it is designed so that we can reuse approximately a million gallons.” This has significant conservation benefits, reducing the need to draw water from the aquifer for irrigation and other purposes. Other sustainable initiatives include transitioning to LED lighting for all facilities and repairs and doubling up on personnel in city vehicles to reduce fuel costs and emissions. Varnado also mentions the possibility of transitioning some of the city’s bus fleet to electric power, with one local hotel already offering charging stations. In addition to these eco-friendly measures, Varnado highlights a $4.5 million water infrastructure project recently approved by the city commission. This project aims to address significant problem areas throughout the city and update antiquated water lines, which have caused considerable water loss over the years. The project was made possible through the state’s revolving fund, which honored a low 1.5% interest rate despite rising interest rates. Attracting new businesses is also part of the city’s long-term strategic plan. Svaty shares the city’s focus on attracting diverse companies and supporting local entrepreneurship. National Beef is the primary employer in the