Who wouldn't want to live in "rural" Kansas?

published March 24, 2011

in the Stockton Sentinel

Stockton, Kansas

            Just last week, a story out of Freeport, Kansas hit the AP-wire and caught the attention of people all over the U.S. and possibly the world. The story, entitled “Kansas weighs idea for luring people back,” certainly caught this reader’s attention.

            Until a year ago, according to the article, Freeport, which is located in eastern Harper County in south-central Kansas, boasted that it was “the smallest incorporated city in the United States having a bank.” But that was before the Freeport State Bank packed up and left, just like the town’s many other businesses. Now the grain elevator is the only remaining business in this town of five residents, unless you count everyone around the tables at city hall (the abandoned bank building) where everyone gathers for morning coffee and conversation. The population of the town swells during that time of day with folks from the surrounding area who go to town at least once a week to discuss everything under the sun. It’s probably a safe bet that last week they discussed their latest claim to fame – that AP story that put them back on the map.

A simple Google search showed the story was picked up by the Washington Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Miami Herald, Atlanta Journal Constitution, San Jose Mercury News, Business Week, MSN Money, Forbes, and Sify, among others. That’s a lot of attention for a little hamlet of five people.

The news story put towns like Freeport as the focal point of a plan by Governor Sam Brownback to try to entice people to move back to the small towns of Kansas. In his plan, the governor proposes giving new residents a five-year exemption from state income taxes if they move to any county that lost more than 10 percent of its population. The state also would help newcomers repay their student loans.

            Scoffers question why anyone would move back to a community where there are basically no jobs or “cultural amenities” such as theaters and restaurants. But Brownback believes his offer of personal income tax exemption can lure back young people who might have graduated from Kansas schools or retirees looking to return home.

            A few days after the Freeport story, a follow-up AP news release was issued from Topeka in which the governor designated 50 Kansas counties as “Rural Opportunity Zones.” Rooks County is one of those 50, so designated due to declining populations.

            Personally, I have only lived in small towns or in the country. Stockton is the largest city I have ever lived in. My home town of Goessel, with a population of approximately 600 (if you count all the dogs), was the smallest. I don’t mind going to a big city to visit as long as I know I won’t be there too long.

            I have found plenty of cultural amenities here in Stockton. There are good places to eat, a wonderful park, an excellent public library, a beautiful movie theatre, banks, grocery store, pharmacy, specialty shops, a car wash, a mini-Walmart (aka Dollar General), medical services, and many, many other services, plus its own hometown newspaper (yes, I know where my bread is buttered!). Mostly, there are some of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’ve not had to look for opportunities either; there are plenty of opportunities to be found.

            Show me another small town the size of Stockton that, in just a few months’ time, has witnessed the groundbreaking for an airport, a medical clinic, and a senior independent living apartment complex. Tell me if you know of any other state in the country where you could enjoy a 60-degree day, followed by a snow day, followed closely by another 60-degree day.

            When we drive across this great state of ours, I’m always amazed by its beauty and never bored, and I wonder… Who wouldn’t want to live in rural Kansas? And if the governor’s lure works, we’d better get ready to welcome new neighbors!