Business View Civil & Municipal - May 2023

111 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 L I BERAL , KANSAS The city is tackling this issue by approaching all housing models with optimism. Svaty states they are “in conversations with landowners, developers, builders, anyone who will listen,” as they recognize the need to compete with other communities facing similar housing shortages. Affordable housing is a significant component of Liberal’s development plans. Svaty highlights the importance of providing options for those employed in value-added agriculture and lower entry-level jobs throughout feedlots and dairies. By focusing on housing developments catering to the entire income spectrum, the town aims to ensure its sustainable and inclusive growth. Aside from housing, the city prides itself on being a hub of commerce, strategically located alongtwo U.S. highways. City Manager Varnado explains, “Liberal sits at the intersection of highways 54 and 83, the latter the only highway in the country that goes from Mexico to Canada.”