HOISINGTON — Fifteen new park benches will be added to the Hoisington community in the next few months thanks to a donation from the Hoisington Area Recreation and Parks group, which used to be the Jaycees.
The cost of the benches will be around $20,000, and they will be installed not only on Main Street, but also at locations such as the hospital and the local hotel, according to Jean Brinlee, executive director of HMSI. “We’re hoping to have some installed before Labor Day,,” said Brinlee. She added that those coming home to Hoisington will see the improvements.
The benches will be made out of steel to tie into the Pole Art, and to tie together the entire district.
Another new benefit added to HMSI is that the state approved adding businesses from K-4 to the city limits and all of Main Street to the area covered by HMSI.
Brinlee was pleased with the expansion of the coverage area. “We’re such a small town. Ninety percent of businesses are now included.”
The change was officially approved by Kansas Main Street on July 6.
She explained that those businesses can now apply for HMSI loans. “Also, they can now go to quarterly trainings,” she said.
In addition, businesses can  qualify for free programs such as the facade improvement program where businesses receive help in designing facades and store design layout for free.
She said about 18 more businesses will be added to the district.
More information is available by calling Brinlee at 620-653-2208.