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Grow Hays director highlights 2025 projects, housing pressures and a 300-job expansion promise
Summary
Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, told commissioners that 2025 saw major community investments — a new community center, a new high school, downtown redevelopment and housing phases — and described a business expansion expected to preserve 91 jobs and add about 140 over four years with a $6.5 million capital plan.
Doug Williams, executive director of Grow Hays, gave the commission a broad update on 2025 community development and economic- development activity.
"The Bob and Pachemint Community Center opened in late July," Williams said, adding that the center’s daycare is serving about "65 or 70 kids" and the facility is seeing heavy general public use. He also singled out the new high school as a recruitment asset and listed downtown reinvestments — including the Chestnut Suites conversion and commercial renovations along North Vine.
Williams described several housing projects underway or nearing completion: "Ellis Estates is nearing the final completion of their 42 units," he said, and noted developer Michael Graham’s 48-unit project on West 10th Street and new fourplex and multifamily work. He warned that single-family permits (16 in Hays in 2025) remain below the city’s estimated need of 30–35 per year.
On business retention, Williams recounted a recent win with Agility: the company committed to remain in the area, keeping roughly 91 existing jobs in Hays and Ellis County and pledging about 140 new jobs over the next four years. "They're going to invest $6,500,000 in capital," Williams said, adding the company plans further expansion if the product succeeds. He described the positions as "good jobs" and noted low water use and alignment with local colleges as factors that fit Ellis County.
Williams also reported program-level activity: Grow Hays made nine new business loans in 2025, currently manages about 38 active loans with roughly $2.5 million outstanding and operates a micro-factory with three tenants. He said these programs are part of gap-financing and entrepreneurship support through Network Kansas.
The director closed by placing property-tax concerns in context: he presented comparative median-pricing and mill-levy data for peer communities and a National Association of Realtors metric showing Kansas among the more affordable states. "If people are leaving this community to go someplace else because of property taxes, I don't think they're going to these places," he said, urging listeners to consider where tax dollars go (schools, personnel, insurance).
The commission asked clarifying questions about housing mechanics, donated land and builder arrangements in The Grove; Williams explained that HaysMed donated the community center parcel and Grow Hays purchased additional lots and developed streets, and that agreed builders buy lots and deliver finished homes under development agreements.
