Garden City staff report multiple commercial and housing prospects, including ICON and an Amazon distribution site

Garden City Economic Development staff on a recent board meeting summarized a string of commercial and housing prospects that city officials say could bring new jobs and investment to the region.

The update focused on several projects at varying stages. Lana (name on record only) said the city is continuing to assist the ICON project as the city commission pursues a community improvement district and a tax increment financing district for that development. "We are continuing to help with that," Lana said, and staff will assist with bond placement introductions to banks and private investors for the developer.

Special Projects Director Steve Cottrell gave a rundown of recent business leads and approvals. He said Project Viking needs a roughly 510,000‑square‑foot facility for thermal forming, would employ about 230 people and represents an estimated $146,000,000 investment. Highpower is described as needing a roughly 10,000‑square‑foot panel building with about 50 employees and an estimated $2,000,000 investment. Project Twin was described as a 50,000‑square‑foot food processor (likely a bakery) with about 70 employees and an estimated $30,000,000 investment.

Cottrell also reported that a distribution project on the Western Kansas Corridor has closed on its land and held a preconstruction meeting; staff identified the tenant as an Amazon distribution operation located near the new Maverik store on the corridor. He said the site purchase has closed and preconstruction activity has begun.

On housing, Lana said the Palace property has submitted plans and hopes to begin construction by April, and staff are pursuing manufactured and modular housing prospects—some described as component or factory‑built housing—following discussions with potential developers and landowners. "We need all the housing we can get," Lana said.

Other local items Cottrell described included recent rezoning decisions, a one‑million‑gallon water tower approval at the Jameson Energy Center, downtown development funding for a REMAX site at 501 North Main, expansion work at Bellevue Cemetery and various road and wastewater projects. He said the city has also authorized a construction manager at risk for a police facility and is preparing applications for resurfacing projects on Main Street.

K‑State’s planned program at Garden City also featured in staff remarks: Lana and staff reported K‑State has approved a broad agricultural bachelor’s program and expects Board of Regents approval at its April meeting; K‑State also will allow up to 75 credit hours to transfer into its bachelor’s programs, which staff said increases transfer flexibility for students.

Why it matters: staff framed the combination of large industrial leads, a confirmed distribution tenant and ongoing housing efforts as potential drivers of local job growth and infrastructure demand. Several proposals would require further private financing, land development and coordination with county and state partners.

Staff said most of the projects are at different stages—some in preconstruction, others still in site identification—and that the city is actively connecting developers to financing and landowner leads. No formal approvals or incentives were voted at the meeting for the projects summarized; staff described ongoing support, introductions and technical assistance.