Civil Municipal - June 2024

licensing classes for those looking to establish a new restaurant. The center will also feature collaborative workspaces, drawing remote workers and students into the hub of the community. “I probably missed some things, because there’s a lot to it,” admits Arnberger. “The state has backed this with significant grant funds that they’ve put towards the project, and we continue to put more money into it. We’re excited about the outcome and it will be constructed and ready to go in fall of 2025.” As for housing development and amenities to bring residents to the community,Arnberger reports,“We’ve got 28 new living units that are under construction in our downtown right now.We’ve got some downtown parklets that are being constructed and a downtown entertainment district that is in its fourth season. We have tried to put a focus on what we can offer to citizens who already live here and want to move here. And that is making them feel like Great Bend is a wonderful place to live.” LOOKING AHEAD For 2024, Great Bend’s goals include furthering economic development, completing recreational projects, and continuing to improve infrastructure. For Arnberger this means a focus on the childcare facilities and the opportunities they create for the city. As far as what comes next she hints, “We’ve got some big recruitment missions underway right now that are under the radar, but we’re very hopeful to be able to land some large hospitality and retail things to our community that would show up in 2025.” Burns says for him the emphasis is on continuing to move forward with quality-of-life projects, noting, “Just being able to continually show what we’re doing with those sales tax dollars is incredible.” As for Anderson, he is anticipating new opportunities for the city. He shares,“Nationally, there’s been more dollars allocated for infrastructure the last couple of years than have ever been available for cities. Our hope is we can continue to work with them to be able to access some of those funds and with the funds that we’ve got internally, enhance some of the projects that we’re able to do.” 69 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 06 GREAT BEND, KS