Abundant with natural resources, Great Bend offers unique advantages for
businesses that are not found in most other communities. A diverse
economy of oil, agriculture, manufacturing, retail and medical, along
the existence nearby of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands, a Scenic Byway and
miles of spacious habitat for big game and bird hunting provides vast
entrepreneurial opportunities. Great Bend's central location within
the state and the nation, along with four major highways running through
the city and the availability of most major trucking companies, allows
for timely nationwide transportation when it comes to shipping and
receiving.
Education
Education is a tremendous selling point for Great Bend. The community offers
safe quality schools, K-12, with options of public or private schools to
choose from. There are seven elementary schools, two middle schools and
a Class 5A high school. More than 3,000 students attend Great Bend schools
and they consistently rank high on state assessment tests every year. For
higher education within the area, there's Barton County Community College,
which offers technical certification or associate's degree programs in
wide-ranging fields of study.
Public Safety
Nearly 50 people work together within the Great Bend Police Department
to protect and serve the people within Great Bend. From the chief of police,
to 18 patrol officers to 10 volunteer crossing guards, the Great Bend Police
Department works in concert to safeguard the lives and property of the
people it serves, thereby enforcing laws, preserving peace and upholding
the constitutional rights of everyone in Great Bend. http://www.greatbendks.net/meetthestaff/policedepartment.htm
Fire Department/EMS
The Great Bend Fire/EMS has two staffed stations, and one un-manned station.
The department provides fire protection, rescue and emergency medical service
for the City of Great Bend and surrounding area. http://www.greatbendks.net/firedept.htm
Cost of Living
Low cost of living is one of the reasons Great Bend was listed as one of
the "Best Places" to retire by U.S. News & World Report last September.
U.S. News & World Report compiled its list of a little more than 1,000
places by compiling a list of places with populations of more than 15,000
and using criteria that includes cost of living, climate, crime rate, access
to healthcare, educational opportunities, and cultural and recreational
amenities. The magazine addressed its decision to compare communities with
such wide-ranging population by stating that some retirees prefer smaller
communities because "rural life has its charm," while others prefer the "hurly-burly
of city life."
Commercial
Services
Number of Hotels and Motels: 8
Number of Rooms Available: 468
Number of Conference Centers: 1
Capacity of Largest Conference Center: 1,300
Comments:
Capacity of largest conference center depends on seating style: 1300 theatre,
700 classroom, or 1100 banquet
A Comfort Inn Hotel will be built near 10th and Grant Street in Great Bend,with
the anticipated opening scheduled for the first quarter of 2008.
The above information was found at www.locationone.com
Media
Number of Newspapers: 2
Type of Newspapers:
1) A five day a week paper with average circulation of 7,000
2) a weekly all Spanish newspaper
Number of Local Radio Stations: 6
Number of TV Channels without Cable: 0
Cable Antenna TV Available: Yes
Max Number of Cable Channels Received: 0
The above information was found at www.locationone.com
Financial Institutions
Number of Banks: 8
Assets:$ 584,099,000
Number of Savings and Loans: 0
Number of Credit Unions: 1
The above information was found at www.locationone.com
Health Facilities and
Medical Personnel
Number of Hospitals: 2
Number of Beds in Hospitals: 108
Number of Outpatient Clinics: 5
Number of Medical Doctors: 30
Number of Dentists: 9
Number of Orthodontists: 5
Number of Chiropractors: 7
Number of Registered Nurses: 341
Number of Practical Nurses: 74
Number of Veterinarians: 7
Comments:
Registered Nurses and Practical Nurses represent all active licenses which
exist in Barton County in 2004.
The above information was found at www.locationone.com
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