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City of Maize "Where Community Counts"
  • Maize Industrial Park
  • Hampton Lakes Square Retail Development
  • Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Watercress Apartments
  • Maize Holiday Inn Express and Suites
  • Moxi Junction
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Contact

  • Nick Gregory
    City Manager

    p. 316.722.7561

    10100 W Grady Ave.
    P.O. Box 245
    Maize, KS 67101

     

Economic Development

Quality - Growth - Development

The primary focus of the economic development department is to market the City of Maize to potential businesses in the area. Not only is the goal to attract more businesses but to assist existing businesses when possible to expand. The department helps new businesses coming to Maize find sites and to expedite the construction project for them.

"Where Community Counts."

Growth is imminent to any small town and the City of Maize is no exception. Maize is a unique, progressive city enjoying metropolitan status in a rural surrounding. We are a civic-minded community with numerous citizens who volunteer their time for an array of activities. Our city officials and city staff continue to strengthen the value of teamwork and civic loyalty, as we provide essential services ensuring all citizens a secure environment in which to live, work and play. Excellent schools, low crime rate and easy access to the entire metro area makes Maize a unique place to live. Maize, "Where Community Counts."

In Nashville TN, December 2003 the City of Maize was named one of the seven national Crown Community Award Winner for 2003

Location

The City of Maize has an ideal location outside of 2 major cities, Wichita, a city of over 300,000 to the South and Hutchinson, a city of over 40,000 to the North, all within a short drive. Being so conveniently located enables Maize citizens to take advantage of the wide range of employment opportunities available in these cities.

Population

Maize has seen significant growth in their population since the completion of the 2000 Census. The City of Maize was established in 1886, now has an estimated population of 4,438.   In addition, The Maize School district has approximately 6,200 students and 720 staff commuting to Maize each day for education and activities while the "West Campus" of Wichita State University, located north of 37th on Maize Road brings in about 4,000 students and teachers during the regular school year.

The town boasts having some of the finest schools and teachers in the state. In partnership with our community is "Maize USD 266, which is noted for being progressive and innovative, while at the same time providing a personal, caring atmosphere. The schools stand at the heart of community life in Maize. This suburban school district, which houses more than 6,200 students in eight buildings, is the 12th largest school district in the state." The Maize school system, which serves a large geographic area that once was farmland, now boasts of two high schools, a middle school, and four elementary schools.

Industrial Commitment

With the improvements to K-96, the city has become more easily accessible and visible to the populations of the Wichita and Hutchinson metropolitan area.  Increased development pressures from Wichita have caused the City of Maize to examine its future development patters.  Currently the city has identified areas along K-96 and bisecting corridors for commercial and industrial development.  However, recently the city has targeted its original downtown district for commercial development.  It has also identified an existing industrial area in the northwest quadrant of town for future industrial expansion. 

It is projected that, based on the anticipated population growth, Maize should expect between 230,000 to 250,000 square feet of commercial development timeframe.  Similarly, based on the anticipated population growth, 80,000 to 90,000 square feet of industrial development should be planned for Maize.  The current land use plan for maize provides sufficient land area to accommodate anticipated future commercial and industrial development

A commitment to the commercial redevelopment of downtown Maize would cause the majority of future commercial development to take place away from K-96.  However, commercial activity is beginning to take place at the interchange of K-96 and 53rd Street/Maize Road that is regional in nature and will provide significant catalyst for large-scale commercial development at this interchange. 

The presence of big-box service oriented retail along 21st Street in Wichita provides a significant market catchment area to include Maize. It appears to be the case that a large portion of the commercial that will be developed in Maize at its major K-96 interchanges will be regional in nature and draw from a wider area than just the city of Maize.  It is still expected that there will be a need for a certain amount of small serviced oriented commercial that is suitable for a highway location

The location of industrial development within the City of Maize is targeted for the northwest section of the city, generally north of West 53rd Street and west of the railroad tracks, on each side of North 119th Street.  The area provides sufficient land to accommodate the 80,000 to 90,000 square feet of anticipated industrial development.  The proposed location currently is home to the Coleman Plant, and city services, including water, sewer and electricity are on sit serving the existing development.  As development moves north towards K-96 an extension of services will be required. 

The presence of utilities in the area proposed for development reduces the cost associated with future development.  The fact that utilities are in place should be perceived by and marketed as a benefit for potential developers and end users. The primary factor that drives the cost of any utility extension is the presence of rock.  Generally, utility extension should not incur many difficulties given the soil types in the area; however, those unforeseen circumstances are what make costs rise. 

Sufficiently land exists south of K-96 to accommodate the anticipated future industrial development.  Currently, the Maize future land use plan calls for industrial development south and north of K-96 Highway.  It is the policy of the City of Maize that development of land south of K-96 should be exhausted prior to moving north of K-96.  To promote the efficient extension of infrastructure, this development should occur in a contiguous manner.  Continuous development will provide the City of Maize with a more cost efficient patter of development.  Development north of K-96 should be reserved for industrial development greater than that anticipated in this plan.   Call Maize City Hall  for additional information 316-722-7561.

City of Maize
Through the integration of its population into every aspect of quality education, civic improvements, community appearance, commerce and recreation, Maize shall preserve its small town atmosphere and become the best small city in Kansas.

"Where Community Counts"