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Finney County Economic Development Highlights Rapid Valuation Growth; Newman University Announces Grants and Local Program Expansion
Summary
Finney County Economic Development Corporation presented data showing large increases in real‑property valuation attributed largely to economic development initiatives, and Newman University reported $3.2 million in secured funding and new local programs and scholarships to expand four‑year options in Southwest Kansas.
Lona Duvall, president of the Finney County Economic Development Corporation, told the Garden City Commission that the county and city have seen substantial real‑property valuation growth over the last 12 years and attributed most of that increase to active economic development initiatives.
Using comparable counties and models, Duvall said the county’s real‑property valuation rose about 87% over the study period and estimated that roughly 77% of the county’s valuation growth could be attributed to economic development efforts rather than baseline inflation or location factors. Duvall noted this growth has helped suppress property tax increases locally by shifting some revenue burdens to sales tax and other growth dynamics.
Duvall used a $200,000‑house example to illustrate how changes in assessed valuation affect individual property owner bills and emphasized that sales tax revenue and targeted incentives have helped keep local mill levies lower than they would have been otherwise.
Jessica Berg, representing Newman University, briefed the commission on the Southwest Kansas Initiative and said Newman partnered with Garden City Community College and the Finney County EDC to establish four‑year program options in the region. Newman said it secured two grants — a $2.1 million rural postsecondary workforce grant and $1.1 million in congressional spending — and has launched programs in teaching and business and is adding nursing (RN to BSN) and ag‑tech management. Berg said Newman will offer local scholarships of up to $20,000 per year to students who complete associate degrees at partner community colleges, and that Newman has hired local staff and opened an office near Garden City Community College to support students and program growth.
Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked clarifying questions about housing, development incentives and the importance of continuing to diversify housing options to support growth.
The presentations were informational; no formal action was taken beyond receiving the reports.
