City of Abilene

Voice: 785.263.2550 Fax: 785.263.2552 www.abilenecityhall.com ______________________________________________________________

419 N. Broadway, PO Box 519 Abilene, Kansas 67410

PRESS RELEASE
City of Abilene Joins the Flint Hills Regional Council
January 27, 2012 - The City of Abilene, Kansas has been approved for membership in the Flint Hills Regional Council. According to the Councils website, it is a voluntary service association of local Kansas governments from Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Morris, Riley, Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties and their respective municipalities and unincorporated areas. The primary purpose is to foster mutual benefit and cooperation among members to address challenges that affect the Flint Hills region. The Council provides an opportunity for the City to enhance its identity with the Flint Hills area from multiple fronts including tourism, economic development, housing, and transportation. It may also help the City strengthen its relationships to better position for opportunities with regards to Fort Riley, the proposed National Bio and ArgoDefense Facility (NABF), and Kansas State University. These are all important considerations for the future prosperity of Abilene and the Flint Hills Regional Council will provide networking and dialogue opportunities, grant funding opportunities, and regional planning for the Flint Hills area. Membership in the Flint Hills Regional Council will provide an opportunity to network with other communities in the Flint Hills area and also allow the City to better leverage its identity to the Flint Hills, says Mayor Peterson about the City of Abilenes membership. With a major focus on the Flint Hills by the State of Kansas, membership will allow the City to be apprised of opportunities and have a voice at the table on regional matters that could have an effect on the prosperity of Abilene. Ty Warner, Executive Director of the Flint Hills Regional Council, says The Flint Hills Regional Council is thrilled that the City of Abilene is taking the step to membership. The region will only be stronger with its membership in the Council. The Council was recently awarded a $1.98 million HUD Sustainable Communities Grant that the City may be able to participate in as a result of its membership. This funding opportunity will enable the development of a regional plan that will be instrumental to the future of the Flint Hills and the communities that are located within this special area. More information about the Flint Hills Regional Council may be found online at: www.flinthillsregion.org. Questions regarding the Citys membership in the Flint Hills Regional Council may be directed to City Manager David Dillner at (785) 263-2550. ----------The City of Abilene, Kansas is a city of the second class located approximately 149 miles west of Kansas City on Interstate 70 with a current population of 6,856. The City serves as the county seat for Dickinson County, Kansas and was incorporated in 1869. The Citys governance structure is the Commission-Manager form of government. A five member City Commission oversees the policies and strategic direction of the community. The City Commission elects one of their members to serve as mayor each year. The City Commission appoints a City Manager who serves at the pleasure of the City Commission and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the City. The City provides public services including law enforcement, fire protection, parks and recreation services, community and economic development, street maintenance, and water and sewer utilities.