Chamber After Hours Crowd Hears Call to Action

By Dennis Pearson

September 3, 2004

A large crowd of attendees at the August 30th Chamber After Hours meeting were treated to a PowerPoint presentation concerning ideas for the revitalization of Maine Street in Eads, and a call to action by community leaders.

While attendees were able to view artists’ sketches of possible methods to rejuvenate Maine Street and to provide input and additional ideas, an overriding theme of the meeting was simply to encourage residents to get involved in not only the rejuvenation of Maine Street in Eads, but also the entire county.

It was pointed out by presenters Marilyn Baxter and Janet Frederick that major differences in the way our county looks and is perceived by others can be accomplished by simple, inexpensive methods such as paint and general cleanup of refuse and junk on properties.

It was also noted that Federal legislation to transfer the purchased land for the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site into a trust for the tribes was moving forward at a brisk pace and could be completed by this fall. Once the transfer occurs, the National Park Service will be authorized to manage the land on behalf of the tribes and the development of the historic site will accelerate. Attendees agreed that it is critical to begin addressing plans for the future now, in order to be prepared for the development of the site and the potential impact and benefits for the county.

During the meeting it was also announced that Eads High School has begun a Community Development class that will enable youth to become more involved in the future of Kiowa County. Betsy Barnett and student Adam Saffer were in attendance at the meeting to announce the formation of the class and the Chamber hopes to have the students currently working on the renovation of the Crow-Luther Arts Center make a presentation about the project in the near future.

For more information on how to become involved in the future of Kiowa County, contact the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation at 719-438-2200, the Eads Chamber of Commerce at 719-438-2007, or Eads Town Hall at 719-438-5590.