Jason Kuilan, the new director of Great Bend Economic Development, told the City Council on Monday that work continues at the site of the future Great Bend Innovation Center, even though the next phase of construction is on hold.
In November, GBED announced that the next phase of construction on the Innovation Center, being built on the frontage lot on Farmers Plaza at K-96 and 10th St., was on hold while the organization works to close the funding gap. However, Kuilan said there are people at the site now, “working to finish up some work that we had committed to.”
“And then, we’re having conversations with a lot of businesses and individuals here locally to help close that funding gap,” he continued. “Those conversations have been going pretty well. I’m hoping in the next week or two, I’ll have some pretty big announcements on the funding for the Innovation Center moving forward, which will be a really big deal for us. I think that will also open the doors for funding to finish the Innovation Center itself.”
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce members were invited to attend a “public forum” Wednesday at Dry Lake Brewing to learn more. While that event was for Chamber members only, the same information will be shared at a meeting that is open to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Dry Lake, located at 1305 Main.
The forums will allow Kuilan and staff to answer questions that anybody has on the Innovation Center and explain what it is. People will also hear about GBED in general, its multiple subcommittees and programs, and ways that they can get involved.
Meeting at a glance
Here’s a quick look at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting.
• The next council meeting date was moved from Feb. 16 to Feb. 17, due to the President’s Day holiday.
• Abatement ordinances were approved on properties that need to be cleaned up, at 1118 8th St. and 1400 8th St.
• A bid was approved from Viking Coatings for $178,750 for work on the elevated water tower at the Great Bend Airport Industrial Complex. The company has until Dec. 31 to complete the work.
• The purchase of a 2019 dump truck from United Rentals in Hays was approved, for $49,999. “I personally inspected and test drove it,” Utilities Director Darren Doonan said. The truck has 19,000 miles and replaces a 1984 truck that was sold in 2024. It will be used by the Water Department, Waste Water Collections, and Waste Water Treatment Plant.
• A lot along Prairie Rose Drive in the Amber Meadows subdivision was sold to Jerome Koett for $15,000. Its 2025 valuation was $14,500. Koett lives at 2311 Prairie Rose Dr. and is purchasing the lot directly to the north, with the intent of potentially constructing a future addition to his home.
