the largest city in Kansas, bringing both recreational activity and economic impact to Reno County,” notes Randy Partington, Reno County Administrator. The Kansas State Fair represents the county’s largest single tourism event, with the fairgrounds hosting over 500 events annually beyond the main 10-day fair in September. Recent investments support expanded tourism capacity.“The YMCA here is actually in the midst of a $30 million investment in a new facility to serve the community,”Teufel notes. Both Visit Hutch and Hutch Rec programming help draw sports tourism events that fill hotels and restaurants while showcasing recreational amenities to potential residents and businesses. BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING FOR GROWTH County government plays a limited role in infrastructure development, with most utilities falling to municipalities. However, Reno County has taken strategic action in areas where unincorporated communities require support, particularly rural water and sewer systems serving residential and industrial development. “As a county, we don’t do a lot of that kind of work,” explains Bogner.“That goes to the cities. We do have a couple rural water districts and sewer districts, including one in the HABIT industrial park. We have recently secured new water resources and are currently expanding the sewer systems in both areas.” Partington details major infrastructure projects supporting economic development. “We have two sewer districts, HABIT and Yoder, and they’re going to be combined in about a six-million-dollar project,” he explains. “The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is expanding and will be doubling in size. The sewer upgrade is important for their expansion.” The center provides essential training for law enforcement statewide. Housing development receives county support Hutchinson Community College offers various courses in Construction Technology, to prepare students to head out into the workforce. Photo Credit: Hutchinson Community College. 59 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 RENO COUNTY, KS
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