“Don’t Let the Dust Settle”: Colby City Manager Highlights Housing, Infrastructure and Growth

Colby City Manager, Ron Alexander, giving his State of City Address during the annual Chamber Luncheon

Housing remains one of Colby’s biggest challenges as the community works to fill jobs, support new development and improve infrastructure, City Manager Ron Alexander told local business members Thursday.

Alexander delivered his State of the City address during the October 22 Colby/Thomas County Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Garvey Room at the Prairie Museum of Art & History. Vyve Broadband sponsored the gathering, with lunch provided by By Galli.

Alexander, who has worked for the city for more than 28 years, outlined progress on housing, airport expansion, street improvements and employee recruitment. He also encouraged residents and business owners to keep supporting the activity moving Colby forward.

Housing Remains a Priority

Alexander opened with a personal comparison: when he and his wife looked for a home approximately 30 years ago, available houses and rentals were limited. Today, he said, Colby continues facing a similar challenge.

He reported finding more than 100 local job openings on Indeed that morning, raising a practical question about recruiting workers.

“If we were to bring in those people, where would they stay?” Alexander asked.

Townhomes on 5th and North Court when they were in the process of just finishing up the first section

Recent housing developments have helped meet some of that demand. Alexander said all 24 units in a townhome project on 5th and North Court had been rented or committed, although the final three units were still being completed. Work on the last triplex was expected to wrap up near the end of November.

Another development consisting of nine duplexes behind Tractor Supply, or 18 living units, filled almost immediately, he said. A proposed second phase would add 13 duplexes with 26 living units in Colby, alongside a related project in Oakley. Applications for housing funding and tax credits were underway.

Alexander emphasized that housing development throughout the region can benefit Colby, too. He said he has encouraged neighboring city managers to pursue additional housing rather than viewing each community’s efforts solely as competition.

“We all need housing,” he said. “We can’t do this all on our own.”

Airport Projects Expand Capacity

Alexander also highlighted construction at the airport, where the city is building a heated, 12,000-square-foot hangar designed to accommodate larger aircraft.

The approximately $1.4 million project carries an out-of-pocket cost of about $82,000 for the city, he said, crediting grant funding and work with the city’s engineering partners.

High Plains Aviation, which manages airport operations, is also constructing an approximately 17,000-square-foot aircraft hangar near K-25.

Alexander pointed to Apollo MedFlight’s operations at the airport as another example of development bringing people and spending into the community. He said the company had rented four local housing units for staff members who rotate in and out for work assignments.

Development Financing Work Continues

Alexander provided a brief update on the STAR bond project, saying the revenue study had been completed and an amount of marketable bonds identified.

A financing gap remains, however. He said Colby Investment Group is working to determine how to close that gap and assemble the funding needed to move the project forward.

Investing in City Employees

Recruiting and retaining qualified city employees has been a priority throughout Alexander’s approximately four and a half years as city manager.

“I want the city of Colby to be a place that people want to come work for,” he said.

Alexander said the city now offers health coverage at no cost to employees, with substantially reduced rates for family or additional dependent coverage. Hiring incentive bonuses have also recently been approved.

He emphasized that recruitment is about more than filling vacancies. The qualifications and judgment of city employees directly affect the residents they serve, whether they are responding to a police call, a fire or another community need.

“Who do you want working and serving in your community to represent the city of Colby?” he asked.

Street Improvements Move Forward

Alexander said street work remains an ongoing effort, with state funding helping the city stretch local dollars.

Following work on nearly half of Range Avenue last year, the northern portion is expected to be released for bids after July 1, 2027, under a Kansas Department of Transportation funding program.

He described that work as an approximately $1 million project, with the city’s share expected to be around $100,000.

The second phase of work on Country Club is also progressing, he said. Alexander cited $1 million in KDOT funding and an approximately $300,000 city share for that project.

“Don’t Let the Dust Settle”

Alexander closed with a message inspired by an unexpected source: dust from construction near the swimming pool.

In previous years, he said, that dust contributed to challenges keeping the pool free of algae. While the extra maintenance was frustrating, it also prompted him to consider what the construction represented.

“But what if we didn’t have that growth?” he said.

Alexander praised downtown business owners and others investing in new shops, building improvements and community development. Construction may bring inconvenience, he said, but a lack of activity would be more concerning.

“Don’t let the dust settle on our community,” he said.

Alexander ended by thanking those helping Colby grow and reminding luncheon attendees that progress is a shared responsibility.

“We’re all partners,” he said. “Every one of you in this community plays a role as a stakeholder in our community.”