Downtown revitalization and housing needs lead Chamber luncheon

Downtown Colby’s growing activity and the need for more housing were central themes at the Colby/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Oct. 22 at the Prairie Museum of Art and History.

Brenda Mazenec described a downtown where restoration and new business activity are drawing attention. She said people are noticing improvements, including new signs and restoration work on the Luther building, and that business owners and neighboring businesses have begun complimenting one another’s projects.

“There’s a buzz, a renewed vibration, a rippling of restoration going on,” Mazenec said.

Young adults are buying historic buildings and opening businesses, she said. New and planned ventures include a salon, bakery and boutique, along with upper-level living space, a wellness facility and a family entertainment center. Mazenec also pointed to the long-time businesses that have remained downtown across generations, including a jewelry store that has operated since 1927.

“The good stuff creates and inspires more good stuff,” she said.

Mazenec invited business owners and residents to join the Downtown Business Association, which meets at 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Movement Connection. She also highlighted upcoming downtown activities, including trick-or-treating and holiday events organized by the Creative Arts Council and the association. Christmas on Franklin will include a Christmas light parade.

City Manager Ron Alexander’s state of the city address focused on housing, airport development, street work and city staffing. He said he has worked for Colby for more than 28 years and recalled that when he and his wife were looking for a home about 30 years ago, the market had roughly a dozen houses available. Today, he said, the number is again about a dozen, with few rental options.

Colby had more than 100 jobs available as of the morning of the luncheon, Alexander said, raising the question of where new workers would live. A recently developed housing project has rented all 24 completed units, with three more units expected to be finished by the end of November. A second phase under discussion could add 26 living units in Colby, alongside a housing project in Oakley.

Alexander also gave an update on the city’s STAR bond project. A revenue study has been completed, and the city and developer Colby Investment Group are working to close a financing gap and determine how to assemble the project’s capital.

At the airport, the city is building a heated, 12,000-square-foot hangar tall enough to accommodate larger planes. The project is expected to cost about $1.4 million, with the city contributing about $82,000 after grant funding. Alexander also described continued airport growth and the expansion of Apollo MedFlight, whose employees are staying in local apartments and homes as the service grows.

Street improvements have also relied heavily on outside funding, Alexander said. The city expects to seek bids after July 1, 2027, for the north half of Range Avenue through a new KDOT-funded program. The roughly $1 million project is expected to cost the city about $100,000. The second phase of work on Country Club Drive is progressing, with about $300,000 in city costs and a $1 million KDOT grant.

Alexander said he has worked to make the city a place people want to work. The city now offers free health care for employees, reduced rates for family coverage and hiring incentive bonuses. He said he is focused on the quality of candidates serving residents in roles such as police and fire, as well as across city departments.

Referring to the dust created by construction and development, Alexander urged residents to keep supporting local growth. “Don’t let the dust settle on our community,” he said. “If we ever get to the point where we’re stagnant and we’re not building, we’re not constructing, there’s no dust in the air. That’s the point where we need to be concerned.”

Chamber Ambassadors President Daniel Blake thanked Chamber CEO Lizzie Lewis and the Chamber board for their work, and praised the volunteers who helped organize the annual car show, which he said had another successful year. He said the ambassadors are planning a new project for early 2027 but were not yet ready to share details.

Blake invited Chamber members to contact the ambassadors when they need help with an event, celebration or other project. He said the group wants to support every member, whose businesses contribute jobs, services and gathering places to the community.

Lewis read a report from Colby Diplomats President Dana Broeckelman, who described the Diplomats as a fun, dedicated group involved in community events. The report cited the group’s Valentine’s Wine and Whiskey event, its work bringing the Beer Festival back to the Sunflower Festival, and volunteer support at sporting events at the Colby Event Center.

Lewis also shared a report from Visitors Bureau Executive Director Carson McLaughlin and gave a Chamber update. She noted the Chamber is 76 years old and said she is working on ways to thank businesses and encourage more involvement. The Chamber approved minutes from its previous meeting and began organizing a committee to recommend candidates for its board of directors.

Upcoming Chamber events include the downtown trick-or-treat on Oct. 30, the annual gift certificate sale Nov. 30, and the Christmas parade and soup supper Dec. 5. The soup supper will be held for the second year.

Vyve Broadband sponsored the meal and meeting. Regional Vice President Travis Kohlrus said the company has sponsored the luncheon three times and is glad to invest in Colby. He connected reliable internet service to the new businesses and housing projects discussed at the meeting, and said Vyve is looking to hire a local technician. The company is willing to train someone for the position, he said.

By Galli provided pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy party potatoes, green beans and peanut butter cake. A rocking lawn chair was given away during the luncheon.