Business View Civil & Municipal - May 2023

109 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 L I BERAL , KANSAS City Manager Rusty Varnado believes that the greatest asset of Liberal is the “mentality of the citizens and the welcoming nature of the community.” This is deeply rooted in the town’s history, dating back to when farmers journeyed westward. While many settlements charged for water, one farmer, SeymourRogers, generously allowed free access to his well. This was often met with the response of “That’s mighty liberal of you,” and this spirit of openness and hospitality has woven itself into the very fabric of Liberal’s society. Eli Svaty, Executive Director at the Seward County Development Corporation, adds that the community atmosphere is “integral to [Liberal’s] city focus.” With a forward- thinking city commission in place, the town of Liberal is poised for an exciting new chapter grounded in inclusivity and growth. Liberal’s rich history is rooted in agriculture, natural gas, oil, and helium. As Svaty explains, the mid-20th century brought significant change to the region with the discovery of one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. While the area has seen a decrease in extraction over the past couple of decades, there remains a residual reliance on that economy. As the town looks to the future, growth is a significant focus. However, this growth comes with its challenges, particularly regarding housing. Svaty acknowledges that “housing production was borderline stagnant in the community over the last ten years.” Only nine permits for single-family construction were issued in the previous year, making it difficult for the town to maintain its housing stock.