CONWAY SPRINGS, Kan. (KWCH) – A new natural gas plant is set to break ground in Sumner County on Tuesday, a project local leaders and business owners say they hope will bring jobs and new traffic to Conway Springs and nearby communities.
The plant, first announced in 2024, will be built near the intersection of Milan Avenue and 50th Avenue, just south of Conway Springs. Construction equipment is already on site ahead of the groundbreaking.
Tiffany Vaughan, who owns the Stock Tank Bar and Grill in Conway Springs, said the construction phase could provide an immediate boost for local businesses.
“The construction workers are gonna come in a little bit at a time and I think they said they were gonna top out at 800,” Vaughan said. “I think any kind of outside exposure locally is going to bring in more revenue for the town.”
City leaders said the project has been years in the making as the area works to attract more development.
“I think it’ll be good for the community, with all the business that’s gonna come in, and the traffic hopefully will help us grow our town,” said Mayor Lori Gerber.
Gerber said Sumner County’s economic development team has been working for years to bring more business to town.
“We’re just a small town trying to survive, and hoping people will notice us from time to time,” she said.
The plant is not expected to be fully operational until 2029, but Evergy says it will bring several dozen high-skilled jobs once it opens. Vaughan said she has been pleased with Evergy’s local involvement so far.
“They’re good people, they do come in, they visit, and they hire local,” Vaughan said.
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