Lenora, KS, October 9, 2024 — Nex-Tech is excited to announce a new partnership with Graham County Community Development to enhance community engagement and development in Hill City. This collaboration aims to create a vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

Over the past several months, Nex-Tech has been working closely with Dan Steffan, Coordinator of the Graham County Community Development, on a new park project, called Heritage Park in Hill City. This vacant lot, next to our central office, has been transformed into an amazing space to showcase Hill City and its history. Funding for Heritage Park was provided by the Ash Grove Community Foundation, the Patterson Family Foundation, UMC Second Chance, AM Gravel, and Nex-Tech. In addition, completing this project took the hard work of many in the community, including Hi Plains Construction of Hill City, Purcase Green, AM Gravel, UMC Second Chance, the students in the Industrial Arts department at the Hill City High School, and Cameron Atkins and Aiden Hall. In October 2023, Layne Stafford completed the Hill City Heritage Mural, which was funded by the Office of Rural Prosperity’s Rural Mural Grant, a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Nex-Tech, and the citizens of Graham County.

Dustin Schlaefli, Director of Customer Engagement at Nex-Tech, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to collaborate with Graham County Community Development on this project. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting and enhancing the communities we serve. Heritage Park is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on Hill City.”

The park features two benches in honor and memory of Trela Minium and Angie Schick, both long-time Nex-Tech employees who left their communities too soon.

The Hill City Chamber hosted a park dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 29. We invite all residents and visitors to visit the park and enjoy the new addition to the community.

About Graham County Community Development

Graham County Community Development (GCCD) is the lead agency for community and business development in Graham County. The GCCD Department is a county department, funded in part by the Graham County Commission, the cities of Bogue, Morland, and Hill City, as well as the Graham County Community Foundation and the Moland Community Foundation, as well as various grant programs, including the Kansas Department of Commerce’s “Rural Champions.” Visit GCCD at www.gccdks.com.