Thomas County Economic Development Alliance – February 18, 2026
February 18, 2026
The Thomas County Economic Development Alliance met February 18 with a full agenda focused on infrastructure investment, housing redevelopment, small business lending and long-term growth strategy.
The board approved the agenda, minutes and financials, closing out 2025 with a net income of $1,801.40. January operations were also approved. Loan activity remains strong, with all current loans reported in good standing and up to date.
A significant portion of the discussion centered on the proposed $1.6 million airport hangar project at Colby Municipal Airport. Colby City Manager Ron Alexander explained the layered funding approach involving Kansas Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration grants.
Under the current structure, the KDOT grant would cover site grading, storm drainage and concrete pad work, while the FAA would fund construction of the hangar itself. If federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding aligns as anticipated, the city’s direct expense could be limited to approximately $5,000. However, the Alliance reiterated that it has previously discussed contributing roughly $80,000 in matching funds from economic development reserves if needed.
The hangar is viewed as a strategic component of Colby’s ongoing STAR bond development efforts, particularly in attracting corporate and retail interests that rely on private air travel. Increased jet traffic strengthens the community’s case for continued commercial investment.
Board members reviewed December sales tax fund activity and ongoing allocations tied to development incentives. The Alliance continues to track grant processes and match requirements carefully.
Network Kansas loan administrator Christy Preston reported that loan volume remains strong across the region, with western Kansas seeing significant activity. A new universal loan application portal is expected to launch this spring, streamlining document uploads and allowing local partners to track application progress in real time.
The Alliance approved a $32,000 loan for Flying O Animal Boarding & Grooming. The total project includes $75,000 for building and property acquisition and $5,000 for upgrades. The owner is contributing 20 percent down and partnering with a local bank for the remaining financing.
Housing discussions focused on Friendly Acres mobile home park. The property, owned by out-of-state investors, has drawn concern due to deteriorating conditions. Board members expressed interest in exploring redevelopment options including new mobile homes or tiny homes to increase available housing stock. Conversations are ongoing with regional partners regarding sourcing new units, though supply remains tight statewide.
Members reviewed plans for a new 345-kilovolt transmission line running from Holcomb to Sidney, Nebraska. The project, approved by the Southwest Power Pool, is designed to improve regional grid reliability and expand capacity.
Discussion also addressed growing interest in Kansas for data center development. State legislation ensures infrastructure costs for such projects cannot be passed on to existing ratepayers. While no formal proposals were presented for Thomas County, members emphasized the importance of understanding both the opportunities and impacts associated with large-scale energy users.
Board leadership clarified why a recently announced flour mill project located in Goodland did not come to Colby. The primary developer has longstanding business relationships in Sherman County, and that county’s designation as a federal Opportunity Zone allowed access to additional tax incentives unavailable in Thomas County.
The Alliance elected its 2026 officers:
The Youth Entrepreneurship Competition will take place March 11 in Colby. The board approved awarding cash prizes to streamline distribution. Regional and state competitions will follow later this spring.
Network Kansas is also expanding programming efforts, including succession planning workshops and board development initiatives for smaller communities.
The March meeting will be hosted at Center Pivot. Directors also discussed attending the Hansen Community Forum in Hays March 24–25 and the upcoming Colby Community College Endowment Auction.
Throughout the meeting, the overarching theme remained consistent: positioning Thomas County for sustainable growth through infrastructure investment, housing redevelopment, small business support and strategic partnerships.