growth built on strategic partnerships and targeted investments.The approach emphasizes collaboration between county government, municipalities, and Fort Riley to maximize the region’s advantages as one of only 50 designated Great American Defense Communities nationwide. “Collaborating with our largest city, Junction City, is huge. They have new leadership and that is going well,” Giordano explains. “When Junction City does well, the whole entire county does well.” Childcare is a critical workforce development issue. The county has established the Geary County Childcare Coalition to address what Giordano describes as both “a workforce issue” and “an economic development issue.” Military schedules compound the challenge. “Even the military have to be at work at six o’clock in the morning for physical training, and a lot of the childcare providers aren’t open then,” she notes. The school district has broken ground on an early childhood center that will offer free preschool for all three and four-year-olds in the community. “It’ll be open in August of 2026,” Giordano reports. Fort Riley’s mission remains central to economic development strategy.“We concentrate on trying to recruit jobs or industry that supports what the base needs, those kinds of things that would encourage those companies to be right here to support the mission of Fort Riley,” Giordano explains. Geary County’s transformation illustrates how strategic leadership, financial discipline, and collaborative partnerships can revitalize a region.The county has built a foundation for sustained growth that honors its military heritage while embracing new opportunities. As Kansas continues to attract manufacturing investment and rural communities seek development models, Geary County’s balanced approach offers insights into leveraging existing assets while building capacity for the future. PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce www.jcacc.org and www.jcgced.com The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce drives economic growth and community development by supporting local businesses, military families, and regional initiatives. We work to facilitate partnerships, host events, and lead programs that strengthen the economy, enhance quality of life, and create lasting opportunities throughout the Junction City area. n Stormont Vail-Flint Hills Campus www.stormontvail.org Stormont Vail Health is a regional integrated healthcare system serving eastern Kansas. At Stormont Vail’s Flint Hills Campus in Junction City, we offer primary care, specialty medicine, emergency, procedural, and surgical care through our clinic and hospital. Our mission is to provide high-quality, safe care close to home. 42 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09
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