Liberal local news summary

Taiwanese battery manufacturer to open facility in Liberal

Commission approves $1.4 million contract for Doll housing addition

Drainage issues prompt change order for housing project

Blue Bonnet Park lighting and infrastructure updates

Airport taxiway project faces historical concrete restrictions

City receives $1 million solar energy credit

Taiwanese battery manufacturer to open facility in Liberal

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Development Corporation Director Eli Svaty announced that Apogee Power, a Taiwanese-based advanced battery energy storage system manufacturer, has selected Liberal for its first U.S. manufacturing base. The company will locate at 1600 W. Pancake Blvd., initially creating 20 to 30 jobs with plans to expand to 70 positions. The facility will serve as the company's U.S. operations center for assembly, marketing and logistics, producing hybrid and ground power units while also hosting subleases for associated drone technology companies.

Commission approves $1.4 million contract for Doll housing addition

LIBERAL, Kan. - The city commission approved a contract with French Construction in the amount of $1,439,755 for the development of the Doll housing addition. The project, which has been in development for several years, is funded through the city's one-cent sales tax dedicated to streets, drainage and capital improvements. The motion passed 4-0, with Commissioner Ron Warren abstaining from the vote.

Drainage issues prompt change order for housing project

LIBERAL, Kan. - Immediately following the approval of the primary construction contract for the Doll addition, commissioners approved a change order of $133,839.52 to address necessary drainage improvements. The original bid did not include on-site retention ponds required to keep water off the bypass ditch and school property. The change order brings the total project cost to approximately $1.57 million, which City Manager Rusty Varnado noted remains consistent with funding caps set for similar Rural Housing Incentive District projects.

Blue Bonnet Park lighting and infrastructure updates

LIBERAL, Kan. - City staff reported that 90 percent of the new lighting at Blue Bonnet Park has been installed. Additionally, street crews have completed sidewalk and curb repairs near Second and Washington streets and will soon move to the intersection of U.S. 54 and Kansas Avenue to address damaged curbs.

Airport taxiway project faces historical concrete restrictions

LIBERAL, Kan. - Upcoming work on the airport taxiway, scheduled to begin in February, faces a unique restriction regarding materials. The Kansas Historical Society has deemed the concrete from the Liberal Army Air Field as historically significant, preventing the city from crushing and reusing it as base material for the new taxiway. Consequently, the city must import new material for the project to comply with Federal Aviation Administration and state historical guidelines.

City receives $1 million solar energy credit

LIBERAL, Kan. - City Manager Rusty Varnado reported that the city has received a U.S. Treasury check for $1 million regarding a solar energy credit. The funds will likely be used to pay down a temporary note and reduce interest-only payments.

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