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    3. Housing Needed Focus Groups Set For Mar 25 & 26 To Assess Countys Needs
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    Housing Needed? Focus Groups Set for Mar. 25 & 26 to Assess County's Needs main photo

    Housing Needed? Focus Groups Set for Mar. 25 & 26 to Assess County's Needs

    April 14, 2019

    the housing market is slowing down.  Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors has said, “All indications are that we have a housing shortage.  If you look at population growth and job growth, it is clear that we are not producing enough houses.”

    Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, has said, “The market has slowed.  The market has been moving away from higher-end, higher-priced, larger homes over the last two or three years to more entry level.”

    We are seeing and hearing the same thing around Dickinson County.  New housing starts are minimal in the past five years.  Yet, we hear from expanding businesses that the new employees they are hiring are having a difficult time finding adequate housing, mostly entry level housing.  We’ve also heard the same thing from realtors.

    In an effort to understand the current housing dynamics around the County, Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation (DKEDC) has engaged RDG Planning & Design (RDG) of Omaha, Nebraska to perform a community housing assessment.  The Community Housing Assessment Team (CHAT) from RDG will be in the County on March 25th and 26th and will be holding focus group sessions on both days. 

    The public is invited to attend any of the focus group sessions being held.  The focus group schedules are:

    March 25th – Chapman
    Indian Hills Golf Course Banquet Room, 522 Golf Course Road

    9:30 am to 11:00 am and 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

    March 25th – Herington
    Tri-County Fair Board Building, 802 S. Broadway

    3:30 pm to 5:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

    March 26th – Solomon
    City Hall Meeting Room, 116 W. Main Street

    9:00 am to 10:30 am

    March 26th – Abilene
    Sterl Hall, 619 N. Rogers Street

    12:45 pm to 2:15 pm and 2:15 pm to 3:45 pm

    Based on the input gathered during the focus group sessions along with the information gathered from the County and Cities, RDG will present a report at a public meeting that includes a market analysis, an overview of housing challenges and assets as well as recommendations for programs and policies that might assist in addressing the housing challenges and opportunities that exist.

    Learn more: 

    Detailed Chat Schedule for Mar. 25 and 26 from RDG Planning & Design

    Housing Demand Analysis: Scope of Work from RDG Planning & Design

    Dickinson County Housing Characteristics Snapshot - 5-year Estimates

    This effort would not be possible without the support of the Board of the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation and our partners on this project:  Westar Energy through their Local Partner Program Fund; North Central Kansas Community Network, Co. and its affiliate North Central Regional Planning Commission as a funding source using it’s Rural Business Development Tax Credit Initiative program; the Community Foundation of Dickinson County and Dickinson County.

    Default Set

    1. A Top 10 True Western Town of the Year! Abilene, nestled in the state’s Smoky Hills region and an important economic center for the region.
    2. Strong Traditions, Vibrant Living A ‘modern-day Mayberry’ can easily be used to describe our charming and family-friendly communities.
    3. Best of All Worlds Dickinson County has good jobs and a strong economy combined with an excellent quality of life!
    4. A Proud Heritage History lovers can visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum.
    happy child exploring local shop

    A Top 10 True Western Town of the Year!

    Abilene, nestled in the state’s Smoky Hills region and an important economic center for the region.

    smiling business owners

    Strong Traditions, Vibrant Living

    A ‘modern-day Mayberry’ can easily be used to describe our charming and family-friendly communities.

    business owner laughing with customers

    Best of All Worlds

    Dickinson County has good jobs and a strong economy combined with an excellent quality of life!

    We Like Ike memorbelia

    A Proud Heritage

    History lovers can visit the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Museum.

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    Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation Logo
    Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation203 NW 15th Abilene, KS 67410
    Phone: 785-200-3518 Fax: 785-200-3520
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