Keith's Community Center bidding set; county highlights Make My Move success and Fort Riley workforce impacts
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Summary
County planning staff set Keith's Community Center bid dates for mid‑ to late‑March, budget staff updated ARPA balances and commissioners heard economic-development updates including two approved 'Make My Move' relocations and Fort Riley deployment projections that may affect local services.
Planning and economic-development staff briefed the commission on three interrelated items: the Keith's Community Center project bidding timeline, ARPA cash-flow items tied to the project, and local talent-recruitment efforts associated with Fort Riley and the Make My Move/Home in the Heartland program.
Amanda Webb, planning director, said the Keith's Center construction bids close March 17 and the bid-opening will be presented to the commission on March 19, with award planned for March 26. Webb said the construction schedule could shift depending on bid results but that the process is moving forward.
Budget officer Britney Phillips reviewed January cash flows and ARPA project balances, including an $800,000 allocation to the Keith's project with roughly $406,004.53 remaining to spend. Phillips reminded commissioners that ARPA principal funds must be spent by the end of the federal deadline and asked staff to monitor invoices and encumbrances closely.
On economic development, Darren Solden of the Manhattan Chamber summarized the 'Make My Move' program's early successes: two approved movers (from out of state) have secured employment and housing in the county and more than 100 people are in pre-eligible status on the portal. He and staff encouraged commissioners to help share job postings and community content to attract talent.
Staff also relayed Fort Riley deployment projections: highest concentration of projected deployments is between October 2026 and March 2027; staff noted many military families are expected to remain in the area during deployments, which drives local demand for employment and services.
What happens next: bids for Keith's will be evaluated in March; ARPA spending and invoices will be monitored against the year-end spending deadline; planning and the Chamber will continue outreach for talent recruitment and update the commission on mover placements.