Economic Development
Dave Martin, City Manager (email)

123 South Main
P.O. Box 151
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-0550

Contact Information

Emergency 911
non-emergency numbers
Police Dept.
620-223-1700
Fire Dept.
620-223-2140
City Hall 620-223-0550
Water Office 620-223-8133
Public Works
620-223-4360

Fort Scott City Hall:

123 South Main
P.O. Box 151
Fort Scott, KS 66701
www.fscity.org
phone: 620-223-0550

Economic Development Print E-mail

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Fort Scott began as the outpost of progress. Today, it is where modern progress begins.

  • Midwest Work Ethic
  • Educated Work Force
  • Strategic location for transportation/distribution
  • Developed Sites and Properties
  • Low Utilities
  • Get It Done, Success-Oriented

Fort Scott is connected. Well connected by highways (map) US 69 and US 54 to Kansas City (I-35, I-70) and Wichita, Joplin / Tulsa (I-44) and south to Bentonville (US 71). Electronically connected by the finest high speed internet. Intellectually connected to the state higher education programs (at Pittsburg State University and Fort Scott Community College), research and technical training in polymers, mechanics, bio-science and much more within 25 miles.

Fort Scott is near enough to a major metro complex to give you sales and services and the arts, yet with a rural quality of life and a simple focus on business performance.

Economic Development Mission

To enable quality business retention, expansion and recruitment in the Fort Scott area by coordination of the community assets.

Our goal is to facilitate business retention and the growth of employment and wage levels. We accomplish this by working with current employers as well as the recruitment of businesses that improve the quality of life for the citizens of Fort Scott.  

Fort Scott is an exceptionally good place to work, raise a family and enjoy your friends.

Our Historic Downtown is nationally recognized for its remarkable buildings and character.  It offers great opportunities for business and residential development at extremely affordable rates. It is on the National Register of Historic Places which provides both recognition as well as major tax credit incentives to encourage building rehabilitation.

Location Print E-mail

Fort Scott is centrally located in the nation at the intersection of the north-south four-lane freeway US Highway 69 and east-west US 54. We are the economic center along the eastern border of Kansas, midway between I-70 and I-35 in Kansas City metro to the north and south to I-44 at the corners of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.

  • 80 miles north by four-lane freeway to Kansas City Metro I-35, I-70 & I-29
  • 25 miles to Pittsburg State University
  • 60 miles south to Joplin and I-44.
Business Incentives Print E-mail
Begin your business development project by contacting:
Macy Cullison
Economic Development Manager
City of Fort Scott
620-223-0550
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Education Print E-mail
Primary & Secondary Schools
Number of School Districts/Systems 4
Selected Larger Districts/Systems Fort Scott Pittsburg Nevada, MO
Enrollment 1,967 2,544 2,598
Graduates 147 158 173
Spending per Student 9,859 8,009 6,588
Total 18,537,494 20,234,767 17,115,624
Instructional 11,458,010 15,332,919 13,007,874
Student-Teacher Ratios
Elementary 11.7 to 1 14 to 1 14 to 1
Secondary 11.7 to 1 13 to 1 14 to 1
% of High School Seniors
Attending College 85
Entering the Labor Market 15
Colleges & Universities (25 mile radius)
Name/Location Distance Type Enrollment Grads
Pittsburg State Univ. 25 State Univ. 6,859 1446
Cottey College, Nevada, MO 20

2 yr. Private
Womens College

316 108
Fort Scott Comm. College Local Comm. College 1,719 240
Education Attainment (25-mile radius) Number %
Population Age 25 23,618
3,731 15.8
High School 7,486 31.7
Some College/No Degree 6,140 26
Associates Degree 2,055 8.7
College Degree 2,362 10.1
Post Graduate 1,795 7.6
Population Demographics Print E-mail
FORT SCOTT
Total Population  8,297    
Fort Scott  US 
GENDER   Number  Pct  Pct
Male   3,831  46.2  49.4
Female   4,466  53.8 50.6
 AGE
15 or younger  1,680  20.2 21.9
16-24   1,323  15.9  14.9
25-44  1,966  23.7 28.6
45-64   1,573  19.0  21.4
65+   1,755  21.2  13.3
Average age (years)   39.58  36.2
 RACE AND ETHNICITY
White   7,594  91.5

86.1

Black or African American   427  5.1  5.7
American Indian and Alaska native   77  0.9  0.9
Asian   44  0.5   1.7
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander   5  0.1  0.0
Some other race   33  0.4  3.4
Two or more races   117  1.4  2.1
Hispanic or Latino         139  1.7          7.0

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

Counties Labor Force Employed Unemployed Unemployment Rate
Bourbon 8,908 8,572 336

3.80%

Allen 7,445 7,209 236 3.20%
Crawford 19,216 18,326 890 4.60%
Linn 4,919 4,651 268

5.40%


Unemployment Rates (last 5 yrs.)
Year Bourbon Crawford Allen Linn
2002 4.9% 5.0% 5.3% 7.7%
2003 4.9% 5.4% 4.9% 6.9%
2004 5.0% 5.9% 5.8% 7.8%
2005 5.2% 5.6% 5.3% 7.5%
2006 4.3% 5.0% 4.6% 6.3%

Graduates Entering Workforce (25 mile radius)

High School Graduates Fort Scott, Uniontown & Pittsburg, KS
Nevada, MO:150 of 550 graduates
(remainder enter college)
Vo-tech, Community Colleges Fort Scott Community College: 120 of 240 graduates Business & Technology Institute (BTI) Pittsburg State University: included in PSU
Colleges & Universities
Undergraduates
Pittsburg State University (PSU): 1,110 of 1,336 graduates
Student Enrollments (25 mile radius)
K-12 Education Fort Scott, Uniontown &
Pittsburg, KS; Nevada, MO: 7,500
Vo-tech, Community Colleges Fort Scott Community Co. 1,710
Colleges & Universities Pittsburg Sate Univ, 6,859


Source Kansas Department of Labor

Quality of Life Print E-mail

The Fort Scott cost of living is exceptionally attractive.  It is below the national and regional levels. 

ACCRA-Composite Index (U.S. =100) Topeka, KS is nearest with ACCRA
rating and comparable pricing
Grocery Items 87.9
Housing 81.6
Utilities 97.9
Transportation 100.1
Health Care 92.3
Misc. Goods & Goods 98.2
Housing/Real Estate Print E-mail

The inventory of homes in Fort Scott is distinctive in its variety. From ranch to victorian, bungalow to split-level, cottage to cape cod, Queen Ann to condominium. Neighborhoods vary from tree shaded, brick streets to suburban cul-de-sacs.

Profiles of homes within different price ranges are provided below. The amenities of the homes are typical for their price range throughout the greater Fort Scott area.  Numbers in parentheses are share of market availability.

$49,999 & Under (38%)

  • Bungalow
  • 2-3 BR, 1 bath
  • = or < 1,200 SF

$50,000 to $74,900 (20%)

  • 3 BR, 2 bath
  • Bungalow or Ranch
  • 1,200 – 1,600 SF

$75,000 – $99,999 (15%)

  • Ranch
  • 1 1/2 and 2 Stories
  • 3 BR, 2 bath
  • 1,600 to 2,000 SF

$100,000 – $149,999 (12%)

  • Homes on larger lots
  • 3-4 BR, 2+ baths
  • 2,000 – 3,000 SF

$150,000 – $249,999 (12%)

  • Newer construction or semi-custom
  • 3-4 BR, 2+ baths
  • 2,000 – 3,000 SF

$250,000 + (3%)

  • New Construction, Custom, Large Victorian, Renovated
  • 2,500 + SF

Items and prices shown above are examples only. Availability changes daily.

Medical/Health Care Print E-mail

MERCY HOSPITAL

Since 1886, as one of the earliest settlers of the Fort Scott community, Mercy has perpetuated the healing ministry of the Sisters of Mercy. Mercy was founded, with its mission to be the improvement of the health and well-being of the growing Fort Scott community.

Today, although this mission remains unchanged, the technology and expansion of professional services continues Mercy's rich tradition as this area's leading healthcare provider. Additionally, Mercy Hospital draws upon a strong network of resources available to them as a member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System, St. Louis. The Mercy health system is one of the nation's larger Catholic, not-for-profit, health systems.

Mercy Health Center opened in 2002 and is the most recent of five hospitals in Fort Scott owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy. The $32 million facility, located at the south edge of town, is a comprehensive health care facility containing more than 175,000 square feet.

The Health Center is a prototype for rural health care representing the integration of physicians (Mercy Physician Group) and retail services all under one roof. The new Mercy Health Center is more than a center for healing, it is also a community resource for learning to live a healthier life thus extending and improving the quality of life.

The facility offers 70 inpatient rooms and a full continuum of services including obstetrics/gynecology, family practice, internal medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, podiatry, orthopedics, otolaryngology, radiology, psychiatry and emergency medicine.

In addition to the state-of-the-art Health Center, Mercy Health System of Kansas also operates four rural clinics and a hospital in Independence, Kansas.

Mercy 55-Plus: The Senior Health Department offers a free membership organization to adults 55 years and over. As a member of 55-Plus you can receive a variety of benefits including discounts, education programs, a newsletter and an opportunity to network with older adults in a social setting.

Mercy Rehabcentre: Mercy is the site of the only comprehensive, physical rehabilitation center located between Kansas City and Joplin. We become your partner in rebuilding an independent life through comprehensive rehabilitation.

Mercy Homecare: Mercy home care services span 14 counties offering a comprehensive array of services. Home care is designed to provide continuity of care, from hospital to home, in a compassionate and personalized environment.

Lifeline Emergency Response System: This service provides peace of mind for you and your family members through a two way voice activated communication system. Emergency help is immediately available by simply pushing a button which activates response from the hospital based communication center.

Mercy Family Birthplace: Special deliveries have been our business for 116 years. We offer you several cost savings plans to choose from in one or two day packages. To assure that all expectant mothers receive proper prenatal care, Mercy also offers a low cost maternal and infant clinic.

Mercy Breast Imaging Center: Our Imaging center is recognized as one of the region's leading breast screening programs in the fight against breast cancer. Certified by the American College of Radiology, the center, radiologist and certified mammography staff are here to help you win this fight.

Mercy Emergency Medical Services: Emergency medical services are available around the clock, seven days a week, through our physician staffed emergency department and hospital based ambulance service.

American Classic Catering: Thinking of hosting a large sit down dinner or wedding reception? Whether your needs are large or small, let our experts in food preparation and presentation create a memorable event for you.

Courtesy Transportation Service: Arranging for transportation to a physician's appointment or outpatient services at the hospital can sometimes pose a problem. Our courtesy transportation van is available to pick you up at your door and return you home five days a week from 8am until 4pm. Wheel chair service is also provided.

DENTISTS

Three dental clinics provide family dental care.

OPTOMETRISTS

Two optometrists provide vision care.

CHIROPRACTORS

Three chiropractic clinics providing a wide range of services.

ASSISTED LIVING RETIREMENT COMPLEXES

Four facilities offer excellent housing for all income levels with transportation services and recreational programs.

INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES

Three homes offer many services including 24 hour nursing service.

Click on link below to visit our website.

mercykansas.com
Utilities Print E-mail
Gas/Electric/Phone
  • Natural gas is supplied by Kansas Gas Service.
  • Electricity is supplied by Westar Energy.
  • Telephone service is supplied by AT&T. Fiber Optics are in place for Fort Scott. Secondary carriers are available.

Water/Sewer

  • Water and sewer service is provided by the city of Fort Scott. The water and wastewater plants are new. Additional capacity is available.
Economic Development Contacts Print E-mail

City of Fort Scott
Department of Economic Development

Macy Cullison
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123 S. Main Street
P.O. Box 151
Fort Scott, KS 66701
(620) 223 - 0550 Ext. 11
FAX: (620) 223 - 8100

The Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. can also be
contacted through the City of Fort Scott Economic Development Department.

 

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