Located in the center of the agricultural heartland, McPherson always has featured a remarkable blend of growing industry, dynamic small businesses, and flourishing institutions of higher education. Once in a campaign to become the state’s capital, the municipality celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022 — and things are just getting started for a community primed for growth and development.

Located less than an hour north of the state’s largest city and national airport, the City of McPherson has a current population of around 14,000. Its central location and stable, affordable public utilities make McPherson a hotbed for industry expansion — with new jobs added every year. Employment rose by 2.7% in McPherson County in 2023 and still is improving. February updates this year show McPherson County had 639 job openings, the bulk of that being in McPherson — the county seat. Weekly wages rank in the top 10 in the state through 2023.

Those improvements are in addition to the expected growth of McPherson College and Central Christian College of Kansas. In 2023, McPherson College had a historic year, earning more than a $1.6 billion endowment to increase its student population and expand the physical campus. Those forecasted changes no doubt will impact the housing market. That means adequate and affordable housing is and will continue to be in high demand.

The City is up to the task. On multiple occasions during the last six years, the City of McPherson has worked to obtain housing development and neighborhood improvement grants through the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as well as the Moderate Income Housing (MIH) Grant program through the Kansas Housing Resource Corp. McPherson is currently finishing out an MIH grant that is helping build 11 new homes. Then in 2023, the City again was successful in earning $1.65 million in MIH-ARPA funds for the completion of 40 more homes over two years in southeast McPherson. Of those, 20 are expected to be completed in 2024. It was the largest of the grants awarded during that round.

The expected growth brings a need for additional public safety, along with improved amenities and offerings throughout the community. The City also has that in mind, breaking ground late in 2023 on the community’s second fire station, located on the north end of town across from Eisenhower Elementary School. Plans also are in the works for a new police substation near downtown McPherson. Meanwhile, City parks are consistently working on updating and beautifying outdoor spaces. A new all-inclusive playground at Wall Bicentennial Park was added in 2023, along with two new shelters in Lakeside Park. Two more are slated for replacement in 2024. The City features more than 300 acres of parks within city limits. Drainage improvements through Lakeside and Wall Park also have added to the overall aesthetics.

The City has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 46 years, participating each year in Arbor Day activities. It recently introduced a tree master plan to establish new growth on its public lands. McPherson also began construction on an eight-court pickleball complex and improved the McPherson Water Park and splash pad to enhance recreational opportunities. Turkey Creek Golf Course is coming off a record year of memberships and revenue. The 18-hole municipal golf course is in the process of drainage and bank improvements, along with implementing a new irrigation system in 2024.

Each year, McPherson also is the host city for the county-wide All Schools Day activities. During the second weekend in May, McPherson is home to upwards of 30,000 people who line Main Street as the county schools and various other organizations follow the parade route. The activity features a carnival, multiple food trucks, concerts, and fireworks — along with numerous other games and activities throughout the week.

Other City amenities continue to thrive as well. The historically restored McPherson Community Building — completed in 2019 — is a hot spot for large-scale community gatherings, weddings, youth sports practices, and corporate meetings, continually bringing in guests from all over the region to its central location. Among others, these accomplishments are pursued with one goal in mind — to make McPherson the place everyone wants to call home