HOISINGTON — The city of Hoisington is featured in the April 2011 issue of the ‘Kansas Government Journal’. A picture of the Hoisington Activity Center is on the cover, and a story written by City Manager Jonathan Mitchell is inside. The story is titled, "Weathering the Storm: A City’s Road to Recovery Rebuilds a Better Community".

In the article, Mitchell wrote of the April 21, 2001 F-4 tornado that came without warning, did more than $43 million worth of damage and destroyed 182 homes. The community resolved to rebuild. Hoisington weathered the storm and did just that.

Another storm the city weathered has been the economic downturn that began in mid-2009, Mitchell wrote, "If significant changes were not made,the city would end the next year more than $400,000 in the red." The fee schedule was revisited, and a number of cost-saving measures were created.

The article spoke of the upgrades that were made in the water treatment plant and the paving of Main Street.

The city has continued to cut costs and asked employees for ideas on cutting expenses.

In addition, the article speaks of the new pharmacy, new motel, Gambinos Pizza, Dollar General and a new flower shop. Sales tax collections are up and the school district has a new artificial turf field at a 3A school.

Ending the article, Mitchell wrote, "Show me a community that has done something worthwhile, and I will show you Hoisington."