construction within 18 months.“There’s no specials on those lots, and they’re right by the new $120 million high school,” Giordano notes. The program has generated significant activity, with over 50 houses built in Geary County last year. The Grant Avenue area, adjacent to Fort Riley, presents opportunities for lower-income housing development. Meanwhile, investments in Laurel Canyon’s water and sewer infrastructure have sparked private construction. “At least four or five houses have been built in the last couple of years there,” Giordano observes. The county has applied for a defense community infrastructure grant targeting the gateway to Fort Riley, where approximately 400,000 vehicles pass monthly. If approved, the $19 million project would fund comprehensive infrastructure improvements to this critical corridor, supporting both military operations and civilian economic development. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH Geary County’s economic expansion strategy centers on matching local workforce development with employer needs. Cloud County Community College operates a full campus in the county. “They already have 12 classrooms and three science labs, and the programs include nursing, business, EMT, welding and education,” Giordano explains. Welding training addresses a critical regional shortage. “Just in a 60-mile radius, there were hundreds of welding positions open, and that was one of the reasons why that’s probably the newest trade that they started doing locally because of the need,” Giordano notes. Eagle Railcar has contributed $50,000 to the welding program and grown from 12 employees to over 100 since taking operations two years ago. Michelin represents the county’s largest manufacturing success, expanding from 150 jobs 39 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 GEARY COUNTY, KS
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