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Growhays highlights housing, downtown projects and a 300‑job expansion in 2025
Summary
Growhays presented an annual review emphasizing downtown redevelopment, new community facilities, housing developments and a business expansion that the presenter said will preserve 91 local jobs and add 140 more over four years.
Doug Williams, executive director of Growhays, told the Ellis County Commission that 2025 brought a string of completed and ongoing projects that are reshaping the county’s economy and housing stock. He cited the Bob and Pachemint Community Center (opened in late July), a new high school, the North Vine commercial renaissance (including Astra Bank and new collision and retail centers), and the Foresight Library opening on campus as visible signs of investment. "The childcare facility is up to 65 or 70 kids," Williams said, describing strong use of community facilities.
Williams also reviewed housing activity across small developments and larger phases. He said Ellis Estates was nearing completion of 42 units and that Tallgrass had moved into a next phase with 101 new lots under construction. He described local builders and investors putting up single‑family and multifamily units but said the market still needs more single‑family construction to meet demand. On business recruitment, Williams described a major win: a medical‑manufacturing company that committed to invest $6,500,000 in capital, keep 91 existing jobs in Hays and Ellis County and add about 140 new jobs over four years. "These are good jobs, kind of jobs that we want in our community," he said.
Why it matters: the update ties the county’s economic development strategy—housing, retail, and targeted recruitment—to local tax capacity and workforce challenges. Commissioners asked for more detail on ownership mechanics for a Grove subdivision and on the mix of new residents; Williams explained that HaysMed donated community‑center land, that Growhays purchased and developed lots, and that contracted builders sell finished homes to homeowners.
Looking forward: Williams said several campus and downtown projects remain under construction and that retail recruitment efforts continue to be a priority to broaden sales‑tax revenue. The presentation did not include bond or grant identifications beyond the projects listed; no formal county action resulted from the update.
