STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

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STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

• Key IssueEconomic Development

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Goal 1 Employ full time director for Barber
County Development, Inc. and Barber County
Foundation

• Objective 1 Find long term resources for 5-year
  operation
• Objective 2  Develop job description
• Who Board of Directors
• When During 1999

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Goal 2 Develop and utilize business retention
and expansion activities

• Objective 1 - Using the Kansas Business First
  program, survey existing business
• Who - BCD, Inc. and BCF in cooperation with
  Chambers of  Commerce, Leadership graduates or
  youth                 
• When - as soon as possible
• Objective 2  - Utilize the Microloan program  to
  assist entrepreneurial startups and expansions
• Who - BCD, Inc.'s microloan committee
• When plan underway

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Goal 3Develop and utilize business recruitment
activities

• Objective 1 - Investigate possible construction
  trade training
• Objective 2 - Investigate  manufacturing to add
  value to present agricultural crops and range
  land
• Objective 3 - Investigate possible port
  authority
• Objective 4 - Most importantly, identify possible
  sites for new business both business incubator
  and manufacturing
• Objective 5 Access labor force job skills
• Who - BCD, Inc. and BCF
• When - immediately with help from goal 1

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Goal 4Maintain Leadership Barber County and YES

• Objective 1 Involve and educate citizens about
  the benefits
• Objective 2 Track progress of YES graduates
  (mentoring) and encourage involvement of adult
  graduates in our vision
• Who Leadership in Barber County
• When Within 1 year

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STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

• Key IssueTourism

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Goal 1Develop and utilize business recruitment
activities

• Objective 1 - Investigate possible construction
  trade training
• Objective 2 Educate residents of Barber County
  of the economic benefits of tourism
• Who BCD, Inc. and Medicine Lodge Tourism
  Committee and Chambers of Commerce and Peace
  Treaty
• When After goal 1 is attained

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Goal 2Identify and pursue other ways to promote
and encourage travel and tourism

• Objective 1 Provide info on the Internet
• Objective 2 Enhance the Scenic Byway through
  Gyp Hills
• Objective 3 - Support and sustain county tourism
  attractions
• Objective 4 Utilize KDoCH KATIE program
• Objective 5 Continue to explore a lake in the
  county
• Who BCD, Inc. and BCF and the formation of new
  technology committee in cooperation with KDoCH
  and other counties and other county organizations
• When as soon as possible

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STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

• Key IssueHousing

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Goal 1Retain and attract retirees and senior
citizens

• Objective 1 Research and develop ideas and
  thoughts concerning independent and assisted
  living for senior citizens
• Objective 2 Encourage retirees to move back to
  Barber County
• Who BCD, Inc. with cooperation from the cities
  in the county
• When as soon as possible

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Goal 2Investigate housing needs countywide

• Objective 1 Assess housing and compile needs by
  networking with existing county groups
• Who BCD, Inc. and BCF and other existing groups
  with information
• When as soon as possible

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STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

• Key IssueCommunity Foundation

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Goal 1Explore and investigate possibilities

• Objective 1 Obtain IRS letter granting tax
  exempt status
• Objective 2 Educate citizens of its existence
  and explore the possibilities
• Who BCD, Inc. and BCF
• When as soon as possible

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STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BARBER COUNTY

• Key IssueCommunication County Wide

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Goal 1Communication County Wide

• Objective 1 Meet with at least one
  representative from each group in the county to
  collect vision statements
• Objective 2 Establish a newsletter or calendar
  to promote networking and information exchange
• Who BCD, Inc. and BCF
• When as soon as possible

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Barber County Development, Inc. was created to
improve Barber Countys economic viability.
It is the desire of Barber County Development,
Inc. to combine the efforts of the entire county
for a more effective thrust in business
development, helping existing businesses to
expand, recruiting new businesses, encouraging
tourism. Stay a while and and kick off your
shoes.  Discover Barber County, a place where
beautiful people live, work and play in Kansas.
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• Accomplishments
• Incorporated January 1999
• Set up program for Micro-loan funds to be
  available in Barber County
• Developed Strategic Plan for all of Barber County
  to be included as an Enterprise Zone May
  1999
• Renewed Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
  January 2000
• Published The Barber County Business Directory
  March 2000
• Opened first office and hired part-time help
  June 2000
• Cooperated with Sunflower RCD to update
  information in The Barber County Business
  Directory to create a multi-county Business
  Directory July 2000
• Renewed Barber County Enterprise Zone November
  2000
• Received official nonprofit 501(c)6 status May
  2001
• Updated Strategic Plan June 2001

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Barber County is located in South Central Kansas
bordering Oklahoma. Encompassing more than
11,000 square miles, our grassland, in the
western half of the county, with its rugged,
scenic terrain known as the Gyp Hills, is where
Ted Turners latest ranch acquisition is located.
The eastern half of the county holds the
population centers. The population is well
educated with a strong work ethic. The economy is
primarily agricultural being home to one of the
largest cow/calf operations in the state and many
wheat farmers.  
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Medicine Lodge is home to National Gypsum, the
largest employer in the area, deriving its
business by mining gypsum and manufacturing
wallboard.  Local trucking companies haul their
products and the majority come home empty,
suggesting extremely competitive back haul rates
for materials being shipped into the county.  The
second largest John Deere dealer in the nation is
located in Kiowa and is another major
employer. Oil and gas production also provides
a vital part of our economy.
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Why are people moving to Barber County?

• Great quality of life
• Beautiful natural environment
• Property taxes are low
• Low crime rate
• Plentiful supply of electricity and natural
  gas
• Below average utility rates
• Quality water fresh, clean air
• Excellent schools
• Many friendly churches

• Many friendly churches
• Two compassionate effective hospitals
• One long term care facility
• Three public swimming pools
• Average January temperatures - 320
• Average July temperatures 890
• Mayor/Council town governments
• County population of 5,300
• 80 of people live in the towns
• Contains our own landfill

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Economic Development
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What Can BCD Do For You?

• Facilitate tax abatement under the Neighborhood
  Revitalization Plan.
• Offer the Micro Loan Program assistance.
• Explain tax incentives for new and expanding
  businesses.
• Find out the answers to your questions or connect
  you with the people who have them.
• Help you find available commercial sites
• Secure available commercial sites.

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Barber County Organizations

• Medicine Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce
• Kiowa Chamber of Commerce
• Hardtner Chamber of Commerce

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Food Dining

• Burger Shack,  424 W. Central Ave   Medicine
  Lodge, 620-886-5752 
• Indian Grill Restaurant,  301 W. Fowler Ave(US
  160)   Medicine Lodge, 620-886-3476 
• RayKies Grill Dairy,  110 W. Fowler Ave  
  Medicine Lodge, 620-886-5938 
• Pizza Hut,  Hwy 281   Medicine Lodge,
  620-886-3784 
• The Plum Thickett Inn,  1215 Main St   Kiowa,
  620-825-4218 
• Whistle Stop Diner,  320 Main St   Kiowa,
  620-825-4138 
• Yur Place,  108 E. Central Ave   Hartner,
  620-296-4477 
• Buster's,  Main St   Lake City, 620-886-3256 
• Dairy Bar Drive In,  603 North 7th   Kiowa,
  620-825-4525 
• Gambino's Pizza,  629 Main St   Kiowa,
  620-825-4233 
• Sterling's Barn,  4694 SW Rattlesnake Trail, 
  Hardtner  620-296-4670 or -4477 
• Larson Ranch,  1801 NW Forest City Rd,  Medicine
  Lodge 
• Sterling Catering,   620-296-4670 
• Simple Simon's Pizza  Taco Tico,  North Main, 
  Medicine Lodge  620-866-9963

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Area Attractions

• Lodging
• Copa Motel  W Hwy 160   Medicine Lodge,
  620-886-5673
• Lodge Inn  Hwy 281 North   Medicine Lodge,
  620-886-3080
• The Guest Lodge  505 Miller St.   Kiowa,
  620-825-4431
• Heritage House Bed Breakfast   Hazelton,
  620-221-0305
• Hardtner Motel  100 North Cherokee   Hardtner,
  620-239-4292

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Area Attractions

• Museums
• Coca Cola Memorabilia  410 N Main, Medicine
  Lodge   620-886-385
• Door Knob Museum  310 W Kansas, Medicine Lodge 
  620-886-5915
• Carrie Nation Home Stockade Museum  209-211 W
  Fowler,  Medicine Lodge   620-886-3553
• Gyp Hills Scenic Drive   Self Guide Tour
• EQUATORIAL SUN DIAL located on the Medicine Lodge
  High School Groundsone block east of US 281 on
  El Dorado Avenue

• Medicine Lodge Peace Treaty Statue - is located
  at the corner of Main First Street on the
  Medicine Lodge Intermediate School Grounds Barber
  County
• Kiowa Historical Museum - located at 107 North
  Seventh Street Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treaty
  Pageant

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Area Attractions

• Lakes Fishing
• Barber County State Fishing Lake
• County Fairs
• Barber County Fair

• Scenery
• Scenic By-way Project - is now a "Kansas
  Designated Scenic By-way on US 160 between
  Medicine Lodge and Coldwater
• 2 Scenic Overlooks - one on the south side of the
  road is 6 miles out, and one on the north side is
  9 miles out both are west of Medicine Lodge on US
  160

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Notes on Strategic Planning Session 4/8/04
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What We Dream of Seeing in 10 years

• Branson Atmosphere lots of tourism
• Increased Baby Boomers
• Hunters/Fisherman from everywhere
• Housing Manufacturer
• New Houses
• Regional Thinking
• School Consolidation
• Regional Airport
• Senior Population

• Telecommunications Center
• National Competitions
• Stockade (visitors from 45 states Washington
  DC
• Resort Hotel
• Baby Busters
• Depletion of resources
• Growth possible business incubator
• Commitment to offer amenities

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Things we think have impacted the community
(timeline)

• Things we think have impacted the community
  (timeline)
• Sue 2001      Ted Turner Purchase of Land
• Monte 2001-2  Airport 5 new houses
• Mick 2002    Kiowa Ag Center/Restaurant

• Steve Lake we need
• Marcia Hardware store in Kiowa
• Hannah Neighborhood Revitalization
• Mark Barber County Devt initiated discussion
  and sold them

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Discussion of Strengths

• Good Board
• Schools
• Environment
• Growth
• Tourism
• People
• Transportation
• Technology

• 4 Libraries
• Income Base
• Oil Gas
• Leadership
• Business
• Human Resources
• Infrastructure
• People work ethic

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Discussion of Concerns

• Housing
• Urban Drain
• Population
• Job Opportunities
• Lack of public recreation
• Agriculture

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Discussion of Issues

• Long term resources for organization
• Capital Investment
• Economic Development Education Committee
• Negative Attitudes
• Geographical Conflict
• Environment (water)

• Agriculture
• Health Care
• LMI
• Aging Population
• Brain Trust
• Mentoring Program
• Attitudes - communication

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County Information

• Barber County Weather Medicine
  Lodgehttp//www.weather.com/weather/local/USKS037
  9 
• Travel Kansas Department of Commerce
  Housing http//www.travelks.com/
•  
• TourismMedicine Lodge Tourism
  http//www.medicinelodge.com/tourism.html
• Medicine Lodge Indian Peace Treatyhttp//peacet
  reaty.org/

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Background 1
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Background 2
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Background 3
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Background 4
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Background 5
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Background 6
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Background 7