Junction City Champion Community

Lead Entity: Junction City/Geary County

Demographics

State: Kansas

Counties (Census Tracts): Geary
Community Population: 18,886 (Junction City) 27,947 (Geary County)
Poverty Rate: 577 Families/742 Families in Geary County

Background

• Unemployment rate: 5.6% (Geary County)

•  Median Household Income: $25,695 (Junction City) $25,942 (Geary County

•  Per Capita Income: $16,581 (Junction City)  $16,199 (Geary County)

Community Overview:

In the heart of the Midwest and the geographic center of the United States, Junction City offers small-town living with big-city resources.

Junction City/Geary county offers lower costs of doing business and a lower cost of living: energy rates 20 to 30% are below the national average,  housing costs are slightly below the state average, which is significantly below the national average; the area offers lower wages for employees.

Near Fort Riley, a U.S. Army Installation, Junction City is home to a large pool of skilled, affordable labor: soldiers, spouses and dependents; Kansas State University graduates; military retirees; seasonal workers; and vocational-technical students.

At the intersection of two trans-American highways, Junction City is a growing economic hub: home to regional and national distribution centers; served by truck, air and railroad transportation.

On the western edge of the Flint Hills, it's a true land of opportunity: two industrial parks, one with a rail spur; prime industrial sites on major highways; and a diverse inventory of available building.

In the clear skies, clean air and moderate climate of the mid-west, Junction City/Geary County  is a beautiful and progressive area: the County includes Kansas' largest reservoir; it is located a short distance to three premier golf courses; home to award - winning schools; peopled by vibrant ethnic and senior communities; and managed by cooperative government agencies.

Strategic Plan Highlights:  

With the implementation of its strategic plan, the Junction City/Geary County seeks to achieve a balance in economic and community development.

• Added 72 low-income housing rental units

• Adding 18 mutual Self-Help Housing units through Rural Development..

• Developed a Youth Commission.

• Decrease the number of juveniles arrested.

• Developed Hotel/Convention Center complex (Grand Opening is April, 2004)

• Developing Opera House into a Fine Arts Center

• Developed on-site after-school programs at three Public Schools

• Developed a Airport Master Plan

• Improved low and moderate income families access to health care

• Demolition of substandard housing

• Update of the City’s Strategic Plan

Partnerships

The City and County have partnered with Geary Community Hospital to form the Geary health Council.  The Council assists with obtaining healthcare for low to moderate income residents.   The City partnered with U.S.D. #475 for after school programs.  This partnership includes using available resources in the community just as Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Little Theatre, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Club of Junction City, Rolling Meadows Golf Course, Geary County Extension Services, Cloud County Community College, Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, Geary County Historical Society.  Another major partnership has been teaming the City of Junction Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission, Geary County and the Geary County Convention and Tourism Bureau with John Q. Hammons Hotels to construct a hotel/convention center in Junction City.  Partnering with 10 surrounding communities and Fort Riley to conduct a joint land use study.

Leveraging

The sources include $9.5 million in private funds from John Q. Hammons Hotels and $4.3 million from the City of Junction City;  over $340,000 from the U.S.D. #475 21^st Century Grant;  Geary Community Hospital using over $3,000,000 for expansion.

Community Involvement

The development of Community Connections for the local school district.  The group meets monthly to develop assets for the young people in the community.   Strategic plan update each year with members of the City Commission, County Commission, Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce

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