MEMBERS
K96 Corridor
Sedgwick County & Reno County, Kansas
The K96 Corridor Development Association is made up of the communities of Maize, Colwich, Mount Hope and Haven. They are perfectly located between the cities of Wichita and Hutchinson along Kansas Highway K96. Their location provides easy access to the amenities, jobs and world-class healthcare in the larger cities and their small-town attitude make them a great place to be. They are also just a short distance from other major highways including U.S. 135 and the Kansas Turnpike and Kansas highways 50 and 61. Several of the communities have access to quality rail service for shipping freight and each is close to lines that provide passenger rail service. You’ll also have access to national and international flights at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
Along the corridor you’ll enjoy low crime, excellent schools, business friendly attitudes and shop-local loyalty. While the larger cities that anchor the corridor provide a vast assortment of entertainment, health care and employment opportunities, our communities are home to a unique mix of locally owned small businesses that allow you to shop for groceries, dine locally, gather at a coffee shop, get that hardware item for your home improvement, buy or service your car or truck and enjoy banking and insurance relationships in your home town. If you’re tired of commuting, you’ll find many job opportunities along the corridor in manufacturing, health-care, education and a variety of service and retail establishments.
Our association also includes the counties that are home to our communities, Sedgwick and Reno. To learn more about any of our corridor communities or counties click their name below.
Colwich
Located just west of Maize on 53rd St. North, Colwich is a rural/suburban, family-focused community with a population of 1,429. They have a proud agricultural heritage and a continued commitment to the ag industry. They also have a business-friendly attitude and progressive mind-set aimed at growing jobs and investment in their community. That, along with a skilled workforce has resulted in a strong presence in the bio-fuel industry. Colwich is home to the headquarters of industry leading ethanol engineering and design/build company, ICM. They are also home to ELEMENT, the most advanced ethanol plant in the world featuring ICM’s cutting edge technology. Their strong loyalty to local small businesses means you can buy groceries, fuel and convenience items, bank and enjoy home cooked goodness at a variety of restaurants without leaving Colwich.
As a resident of Colwich you will enjoy a friendly, small-town feel and a wide variety of activities and amenities. City parks provide ample green-space, places to gather, and courts and fields for tennis, pickle ball, baseball and basketball. You can also enjoy 3,100 ft. of walking trails and bike paths.
Colwich is part of Renwick School District USD 267. The district serves over 1,800 students from Pre-K to 12th grade and is made up of 4 K-8 elementary/middle schools and 2 high schools. The dedicated staff of over 300 are committed to preparing all students to be college and career ready for the 21st Century. The district has been recognized many times for excellence including having 2 schools as part of the Gemini Redesign Project, a Horizon Award winner and a Kansas Teacher of the Year nominee.
Learn more about USD 267 at www.usd267.com
To learn more about Colwich contact:
Mayor Angela Banz
316-617-5680, mayor@colwichks.gov
City Clerk Stephanie Guy
316-796-1025, sguy@colwichks.gov
Or see www.colwichks.gov
Haven
You’ll find the City of Haven at the true center of the K96 Corridor located in a mere 15 minute drive to the City of Hutchinson and just 20 minutes to the west side of the City of Wichita. A short 30 minute drive will land you at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport. While you will find a great small town feel in Haven you will also find a wide variety of amenities. You can dine, shop, and access services such as banking, insurance and real estate brokerages. You can find your next new car, all your hardware needs and everyday and specialty items at the locally owned stores in Haven. City services include police, fire and ems as well as a library and community center. Enjoy the city park, golf course and swimming pool as well as a 24 hour fitness center. Families will appreciate having pre-school through 12th grade schools in Haven offering quality education, sports and extracurricular activities. There are a number of volunteer organizations committed to the quality of life and growth of Haven including the Haven Chamber of Commerce and the Haven Economic Development Committee.
Haven welcomes new residents with a variety of affordable housing options include single-family, multi-family, senior and assisted living.
Haven is a great place to live and raise a family and a great place for business. A number of small manufacturing companies producing products sold locally and around the world are located in Haven. There are over 250 employees currently working in these plants and many of them have enjoyed job growth over the last few years. Being located on Highway K96 provides retail businesses the exposure of approximately 10,000 cars passing by daily and the city has excellent internet service including fiber optic. Haven is dedicated to the retention of their local businesses and recruiting new businesses. Their efforts in economic development are centered in their Economic Development committee made up of local business leaders and city leadership and administered by a part-time economic development director. They offer a range of incentives for qualifying businesses including utility assistance and cash grants.
To find out more about the City of Haven contact:
City Clerk Leslie Atherton, 620-465-3618 or cityclerk@havencityhall.org
Mayor Adam Wright, 620-474-1629
Economic Development Director Jitana Graff, ecodevo@havencityhall.org
Located in northwestern Sedgwick county, Maize is only minutes from some of the most desirable amenities and fastest growth rate in the county. Thanks in part to this location, excellent city leadership and a top-rated school district, Maize is one of the fastest growing cities in the State of Kansas. The 2013 census showed the population of Maize at 3,806. Today the estimated population is over 4,400.
Residential growth is supported by and a result of dynamic partnerships between the City and a number of developers. You’ll find options that range from starter single-family homes to high end homes in gated communities. You also have many multi-family options to rent and own including two recently completed apartment complexes.
The impressive growth that has occurred in Maize for many years was largely driven by the outstanding reputation and performance of the Maize school district, USD 266. The district serves more than 7,000 students and includes 3 high schools, 2 middle schools, 5 elementary schools and a number of innovative, non-traditional programs. Once of those programs, Maize Career Academy, helps prepare for career and college through hands-on, real-world applications. To help accommodate continued growth, construction is currently underway on 2 new intermediate schools for grades 5 and 6 that will house 1,000 students. Learn more about USD266 here www.usd266.com
As a result of a commitment to pursue industrial growth in 2014, the City of Maize conducted a feasibility study aimed at the development of an industrial park. As a result of the city’s efforts, the Maize Industrial Park was opened in 2015 at the corner of 53rd St. North and 119th St. West. The parks first tenant, German-owned Reiloy USA broke ground on their new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility. They were quickly followed by Aero-Tech engineering and Kyoto Yushi Manufacturing. With expansions by Reiloy and Aero-Tech and construction of several other industrial and commercial companies, the park is now nearly full. To accommodate continued growth, plans are underway for an expansion of the park and enhancement of rail service.
To learn more about Maize contact:
City Administrator Richard LaMunyon, 316-722-7561, rlamunyon@cityofmaize.org
Deputy City Administrator Jolene Graham, 316-722-7561, jgraham@cityofmaize.org
Or see www.cityofmaize.org
Maize
Mount Hope is a safe, quiet and friendly community situated just off of highway K96 between Wichita and Hutchinson. With a population of 816, Mount Hope offers true small-town values with many family-friendly amenities. You can enjoy the rural life and be just minutes to shopping, dining and services in the city. Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is only 20 minutes away!
You’ll find a variety of housing choices from charming older homes to established housing developments for building your dream home. You will find safety and security in Mount Hope where they have their own police, fire and EMS services located in town. As part of USD 312 students from pre-school to grade 12 will receive a first-class education, small classrooms and excellent athletic and extra-curricular opportunities.
Outdoor activities include 3 city parks, a stocked fishing lake surrounded by a 1 mile ADA compliant hiking trail and a community swimming pool. There’s also a library, senior center and climate controlled community building available for meetings, events and gatherings. Downtown Mount Hope has a variety of locally owned businesses, retail establishments and a 24 hour fitness center. Mount Hope PRIDE, a grassroots, volunteer organization is dedicated to community engagement and improvement. Their members work year-round planning and hosting community events including the annual Prairie Festival. They are also dedicated to supporting Mount Hope’s youth through programs that ensure access to healthy food in the summer and providing free passes to the swimming pool for qualified families.
Businesses located in Mount Hope enjoy easy access to Highway K96, excellent internet service including fiber-optic and a community that values them. The City has set aside funds for the Business Incentive Grant for small businesses looking to strengthen and grow their presence in Mount Hope. There are a variety of locations available for new businesses and the City staff are knowledgeable and eager to help you get started in Mount Hope.
For more information on Mount Hope contact:
Mayor Terry Somers at terry1@gmail.com
City Clerk Leslie Stephen at 316-661-2211, leslie@mounthopecity.com
Or see www.mounthopecity.com
Mount Hope
The west half of the K96 Corridor Region lies in Reno County. Reno County is one of the largest counties in Kansas by square miles and the 2010 Census shows a population of 61,898. The county is part of the Arkansas River Valley and agriculture drives much of the economic activity. Railroads were instrumental in the early development of the county and continue to play a key role.
There are 17 cities in Reno county including the county seat of Hutchinson. In addition to being the seat of county government, Hutchinson is also a regional hub for medical services, shopping, dining and entertainment. You’ll find a number of unique attractions in Reno County including Cosmosphere, a state of the art science museum, Strataca, the underground salt mine museum, Quivera Wildlife Refuge, a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge system and The Kansas State Fair, a 10-day celebration of all things Kansas!
Reno County is an excellent home for business. You’ll find everything from corporate office facilities and financial technology services to manufacturing and mining located here. Major international corporations such as Siemens Gamesa, a leading supplier of wind power solutions and Tyson, a multinational producer of protein-focused foods call Reno County home. You’ll also find family owned smaller manufacturing along the
corridor. Kincaid Equipment Manufacturing Corp. is a seed research equipment manufacturing company still located in Haven where it was founded 53 years ago. Also in Haven you’ll find Color By Design manufacturing industrial and automotive coatings, Haven Steel, a leading provider of spring steel products and mattress manufacturer and supplier Sleep Haven.
Reno county is home to a skilled workforce possessing a strong work-ethic and sense of pride. Customized training is available through Hutchinson Community College and a variety of tech-training programs. 2010 Census data reports that 88.5% of the population have a high school diploma or higher, 20.9% have college degrees and 61% of the population over the age of 16 are employed. The medium household income is $49,936.
Reno County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners elected by district. Currently the county is represented on the K-96 Corridor Development Association’s Board of Director by District 2 Commissioner and Chairperson Ron Hirst. You can reach Commissioner Hirst at ron.hirst@renogov.org
You can also contact Reno County Administrator Randy Partington at 620-694-2929 and learn more about the county at www.renogov.org.
Reno County
The east half of the K96 Corridor region lies in Sedgwick County. Founded in 1867 Sedgwick county has enjoyed growth in population and contributions to the State’s economy. Its location in the center of the United States and low-cost, high quality of life make it a great location for families and business. According to Census Bureau Quickfacts, the population is 516,042 and the median household income is $56,524.
The county has 20 cities, including the county seat of Wichita, the largest city in Kansas. Sedgwick county is known as a manufacturing hub. The city of Wichita acquired the name of “Air Capitol of the World” in the early days due to the innovators and inventors of aircraft and maintains that designation today due to its large cluster of aviation related businesses.
Much of the industrial strength of Sedgwick county can be traced to the large, skilled and educated workforce. According to the Census Bureau Quickfacts, 66.6% of the population of Sedgwick County over the age of 16 are in the civilian labor force. Quickfacts also reports that 89.6% of persons over the age of 25 in Sedgwick County have a high school degree or higher. 30.9% of that same group have a college degree.
The county is home to Wichita State University, a public research university offering more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in 6 colleges. According to 2018-2019 College Scorecard data, WSU has a 55% graduation rate.
While most of the university’s offerings and activities are located on the 330 acre urban campus in Wichita, WSU West, located in the Corridor city of Maize, provides opportunities for traditional and returning adult students to complete their degrees in a comfortable, neighborhood setting. Specialized technical training is available at The National Center for Aviation Training at WSU.
Not all of the manufacturing base in Sedgwick county is in aviation and not all is located in Wichita. The Corridor city of Colwich is home to ICM, a worldwide provider of biofuel equipment, engineering and technology. In the Maize Industrial Park you’ll find a number of global manufacturing names including Reiloy USA, a leader in component technology in the plastics industry. While
Howard’s Inc. in Mount Hope is a fourth-generation family owned business, they source and ship farm equipment parts around the world.
Sedgwick county offers a wide range of shopping, dining and entertainment options. You can relax at one of the quiet parks, enjoy recreational activities from ball games to swimming and enjoy small town shopping and dining in any of our Corridor cities or take in all the metropolitan excitement in Wichita. Among the major attractions are The Sedgwick County Zoo, the 7 th largest zoo in the U.S. and winner of many national and international awards, Exploration Place, the States premier science center and Botanica, the Wichita gardens.
Sedgwick County is governed by a Board of County Commissioners elected by district. Currently the county is represented on the K-96 Corridor Development Association’s Board of Director by District 3 Commissioner David Dennis and District 4 Commissioner Lacy Cruse. You can reach them at
David.Dennis@sedgwick.gov or Lacy.Cruse@sedgwick.gov. You can also contact Sedgwick County Manager Tom Stolz at 316-660-9393 and learn more about the county at www.sedgwickcounty.org