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County economic development report flags US‑54 as regional priority, notes data center interest after SB 98
Summary
Economic development staff informed commissioners that U.S. Highway 54 (Wichita to Liberal) was selected as the top regional transportation priority by the Southwest Kansas Highway Advisory Committee; staff also noted increased interest in Kansas data center development after passage of Senate Bill 98 and said no data center developers had contacted Pratt County yet.
Heather Morgan presented multiple economic development updates to the Pratt County Commission, including regional transportation priorities and incentive matters. Morgan said the Southwest Kansas Highway Advisory Committee identified improvements to U.S. Highway 54 from Wichita to Liberal as the highest transportation priority for the region and discussed potential secondary priorities, including Highway 61 between Pratt and Hutchinson.
Morgan also reported she had spoken with representatives from the Kansas Department of Commerce about data center development opportunities and emphasized that, to her knowledge, no data center developers had contacted Pratt County regarding a potential project. She noted that interest in data center development has increased statewide after passage of Senate Bill 98, which provides significant sales tax exemptions for data center construction projects.
On incentive matters, Morgan said Great Plains Alfalfa previously received a HPIP incentive for rebuilding after tornado damage but the exemption expired before renewal; she will work with the company and KDOC to restart that process. Morgan also noted the Pratt Area Economic Development Corporation planned to meet later in the week to discuss housing projects and improvements at Pratt County Estates.
