Mayor McBroom: 2022 was a year of celebration, growth and challenges
What a year we’ve had in Newton! I never expected when I ran for City Commission that I would be the one to be mayor the year of our Sesquicentennial celebration. I have pinched myself on more than one occasion to make sure this is all real.
We began on our anniversary date – 2-22-22 – by declaring 2022 a Year of Celebration and throwing Newton a birthday party at the Meridian Center. This summer, we had a large block party downtown complete with food trucks, bands, a beer garden, kids’ activities and a huge Ferris wheel right on Main Street! It was by far the best party of the year. We rounded out the year with a 150th golf tournament at Sand Creek Station – with the mayor’s team taking first place! – and dedication of the Sesquicentennial time capsule to be opened in 2072.
The anniversary year was such a special time to reflect on our city’s history and share community pride! It’s been so fun to see people out enjoying the events and wearing the 150th t-shirts around town.
And meanwhile, City Commissioners and staff have continued making progress on our strategic goals of growing the tax base, increasing housing stock of all types, adding amenities to improve the quality of life/place, and improving our infrastructure.
Here is just a sample of the great things happening in Newton in 2022:
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We’ve welcomed investment by new businesses in our community, such as Starbucks; QuikTrip; a national distribution center for Ben Franklin Stores; and Murdock Properties, a developer that has bought hundreds of acres of Newton’s industrial property. Roofing manufacturer GAF Materials continues working through the planning process for its planned new facility in the logistics park. And a number of our existing local businesses are expanding, including Full Vision, Midwest Transformers, and Bunting.
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The Kansas Department of Transportation committed over $3 million to rail extension at the Kansas Logistics Park, funding that will be crucial to new industry and high-quality jobs for our community.
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Housing growth is also continuing to rebound, with new single-family development in Autumn Glen, Sand Creek Station, and Fox Ridge, and multi-family senior housing under construction at Harvest Pointe near First and Boyd.
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The new library project was put out to bid after years of planning, designing and fundraising. The public-private partnership between the City, the library, and our residents is going to result in a new facility in Military Park that will serve the 21st Century needs of our community. The volunteer fundraising team has worked hard to raise $3.3 million! If all goes to plan, construction will begin in the first quarter of next year.
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Another long-awaited cool project was put out for bid – a new public wetlands park in collaboration with the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams and funding from the R. Michael Rhoades Foundation. When it’s complete next year, the park will include a walking trail with elevated boardwalks, interpretative signage, and berms for wildlife viewing – a brand new type of amenity for our community.
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Ballfield improvements were constructed at Centennial Park and should be ready for play next spring, which will open up Newton for youth tournaments with the potential to bring hundreds of players and families to our community every year.
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Although it took a bit longer than we wished, K-15 received a much-needed mill and overlay, making driving through town much smoother.
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Newton was selected as a Kansas Main Street community and an accredited member of Main Street America. The program offers training, technical assistance, and access to networking and grant opportunities that will help make our awesome downtown even better.
All opportunities can come with their challenges as well. Like all other organizations, we have struggled with historic inflation this year that has affected our operational costs. Even with all the amazing development we’re experiencing, it will take a while to catch up with the associated costs. We still have challenges before us, but I am confident the future is bright for our community.
Serving as mayor of Newton this year has been one of the most remarkable experiences of my life. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Clint McBroom has served as a Newton City Commissioner since 2019. He can be reached at cmcbroom@newtonkansas.com.
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