Who We Are

Greeley County, Kansas is a rural, farming community located along the Colorado border. We’re in the heart of the Great Plains, over 150 miles from the nearest shopping mall. We are the state’s least-populated county, yet we boast great services and opportunities. Our community prides itself on nationally recognized, award-winning health care, an open and responsive government, innovative education, and a well-rounded business community.

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How It Began

To an outsider, we look like your average small town in Mid-America. But two years ago, Greeley County was at a crossroads. We were losing population, industry, and school enrollment was falling. Morale was low. The agricultural economy was strained by five years of drought, which had a dire impact on local businesses.

As a local resident said, “We were standing at a cliff, and the slightest breeze would have been enough to send us over the edge.”

Soon, a group of concerned citizens said “enough” and enlisted the help of Terry Woodbury of Kansas Communities, LLC. In November 2005, 166 residents gathered for a community conversation to look at area strengths and find ways to help Greeley County move forward. But they talked about more than jobs, dollars, and growing the tax base. They dreamed of recreation and retirement services and main street revitalization, envisioned a welcoming team to help new residents feel at home. They noted the need for social and ethnic integration, discussed ways to support local healthcare, and brainstormed the consolidation of city and county governments.

Before the night was over, over 70 residents had volunteered for community action teams, and after a focus-defining vision retreat, those volunteers set to work on seven goals to strengthen and build Greeley County.

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What We've Done

Because of the work of the community action teams, Greeley County is a brighter, more vibrant, increasingly active place to live than it was in 2004.

The Downtown Revitalization team brought in First Impressions, assisted with the removal of a dilapidated downtown building, raised funds and had an outdoor speaker system installed along Broadway. They have also raised dollars to improve lighting and provide banners when the concrete on Broadway is redone in 2008. New signs are going up around town, and a renewed sense of pride is evident across the community.

The Public Health Services team compiled an informational pamphlet about health and fitness opportunities in the area, promoting and providing information regarding opportunities for health and wellness. They also worked with Greeley County Health Services to research, develop, and provide an acquisition plan for equipment needs.

The Marketing team developed a concept to feature local businesses on the community’s website and promote shopping locally. They are working to develop a marketing strategy for the community.

The Resource Development team is setting up a community foundation to serve the interests and goals of Greeley County. Eventually, they will also look into an investors’ group for Greeley County.

The Retirement Community team developed a senior assistance program and has investigated area assisted living and patio housing facilities. They also offered free basic computer courses at the local senior center.

The concept of City and County Unification* grew from an action team to a Kansas Bill, to a study commission that developed a formal plan. The study commission held many public meetings and forums to discuss the plan. Unification was passed in November 2007 with 73% of voters opting in favor of the government merger. A new five member board of supervisors will be elected in April 2008. With a unified government, the community will be able to share equipment and manpower freely across previous jurisdictional lines. It is designed to create greater efficiency in operations. Two separate budgets will be retained, ensuring that one district is not paying for the expenses of the other. City home rule, which is constitutionally guaranteed, will be stretched to the county’s borders.

The Welcoming* team developed materials, strategies, and other plans for welcoming new residents. They formally turned over their duties to the Greeley County Ambassadors in 2006.

Community Recreation* went from an action-team dream to a formalized board with funding which ensures year-round. Summer activities ranged from t-ball, baseball, and softball to tennis, gymnastics, and “From Siesta to Siesta,” a Spanish class for youth. In the fall, adults enjoyed co-ed volleyball, and youth took to the field to learn soccer fundamentals.

The Social and Ethnic Integration** team worked to bridge the cultural gap that exists in Greeley County. Because of their efforts, the library expanded their Spanish language materials. This goal was retired after the second community vision retreat.

Greeley County Community Development, Inc. acts as the coordinator and its board, the steering committee for the community building process. The board is modeled on the four-square concept. Working in conjunction with the action teams, GCCD has also made great strides in affecting opportunities for individuals, businesses, and organizations that live in or desire to call Greeley County home.

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The Difference It's Made

If you were to take a community snapshot of Greeley County today and compare it to one from 2004, the visible signs alone would speak of the changes in our community. In Tribune, freshly painted buildings, bright new signs, and two lovely parks dot Broadway (Main Street). Music plays softly over the downtown area, welcoming travelers. In Horace, community businesses have invested dollars in new facilities and growing their operations.

Below are some tangible indicators of progress.

In Tribune in 2005, there were 4 empty downtown buildings and 2 became vacant in 2006. Today, all downtown buildings are occupied by active businesses.

In 2007, school enrollment went up for the first time since 2000.

Since March of 2006, 8 new businesses have opened, 3 have expanded, and 19 new jobs have been created.

According to calculations by Greeley County Community Development, 180 individuals have moved to and remain in Greeley County since January of 2005 compared to 76 that have left the area. That’s
more than a 100 person net gain! Of those people:

37% are adults under the age of 40.
61% of those moving to the area are under the age of 40 (adults and children).

During the summer of 2007, over 300 individuals were actively involved in summer recreation program. That’s 1/5 of the population and it doesn’t count the crowds of spectators!

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Future Plans & Goals for a Public Square Community

Yet, much remains to be done. There is a housing shortage to be addressed, a population base to continue to grow. Additional marketing strategies will be employed, and the Main Street will be converted to a concrete surface.  Greeley County will continue to look at unique opportunities to move forward economically and as a community.

Through the work of dedicated individuals from around the public square, Greeley County will continue to move forward, overcoming obstacles and working to preserve and grow the community we love to call home.

For more information on Greeley County, visit www.GreeleyCounty.org or contact us by email at
greeleyc@fairpoint.net. 

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