EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
The City of Liberal announced early in 2026 that Apogee, a technology business form Taiwan, would be coming to open a battery assembling operation at the former Halliburton location. This was thanks in part to the efforts of Seward County Development Corporation Director Eli Svaty and his staff who works with both the city and Seward County to expand economic opportunities.
But what role should Seward County commissioners play in economic development? That question was asked of the six candidates seeking three seats on the Seward County Commission during a recent forum sponsored by the Liberal Chamber of Commerce.
Dist. 3 Commissioner Jairo Vazquez was the first to respond, and he said talking to prospective businesses was his role.
“I think having conversations with people and building those relationships,” Vazquez said. “We have one thing coming to town, and we had a dinner at the country club, and having that relationship and those conversations helps bring in those businesses. It is a lot about relationships. On the technical side, we need to make sure regulations are OK and have more openness so things can come into town.”
Dist. 3 challenger Lizette Avalos-Morales said recruiting additional business was one way to prevent tax increases.
“If we can increase revenue, we can keep taxes low,” Avalos-Morales said. “It is getting expensive to live in this community. We want to keep young people and talent, but if its not affordable and there are no opportunities to advance, that’s a problem. Economic development is huge, and I am looking forward to learning more on how we can make this community thrive.”
Dist. 4 candidate Fred Bloom said it was important to make sure the community was aware of what was being recruited earlier in the process.
“We should be open with the community with what is being sought, not after the fact but ahead of time so the community knows what is being proposed,” Bloom said. “We need to make sure the business is trustworthy, reliable and going to be around forever and give to the community, not take from it — pay their taxes, and not come and leave. It’s the people paying for that. We need to bring businesses in, that helps, but let’s be open.”
Dist. 4 candidate Jose Lara has already been a part of economic development with the City of Liberal as a commissioner and as mayor, and he said prospective businesses have steered clear of Seward County because of the reception they received and instead chose to begin discussion with the city.
“We have to be available to speak to these companies and be friendly,” Lara said, “It’s a running joke, even though it isn’t very funny, that if we can bring a company in, they want to speak to the city and not the county. The county commission has not been friendly or the nicest to approach. If a new business comes in, are they comfortable approaching your commission as a whole, and what is that doing to your growth?”
Dist. 2 Commissioner Clay Louderback said he believed the county was short on funds, and new business would provide more money for county government.
“In our county what we are short on is revenue,” Louderback said. “We need to use the SCDC to expand and get new business to come in, vetting it to make sure it is the type of business that will thrive and provide tax dollars. That’s the main thing we should do as a commission.”
Dist. 2 challenger Kay Burtzloff said economic development was important as long as it didn’t overburden water resources, and she believed Seward County has “backed off” of economic development.
“The county has basically turned that over to the city,” Burtzloff said. “I would like to see the county commission take a more active role with the director to find more creative ways to bring business in. We have to protect our water supply with businesses that do not impact our aquifer or our main base of agribusiness. What I’ve done is bring grants in. $7 million is economic development. The county does not have a grant writer. There is additional revenue. I know because I write grants. We could seek grants to help some with the projects in our community.”
After all had an opportunity to respond, Lara added how he helped in getting a motel that was closing to become a new apartment complex.
“Being available is important,” Lara said. “A developer for Pancakes Flats was working on separate project and said they needed to talk to a city. I had just talked to Eli (Svaty) who talked to a motel owner who wanted to sell. We connected them, and now we have Pancake Flats.”
Vazquez added that he has offered to help Svaty.
“It’s super important to increase the tax base,” Vazquez said. “We have done a little bit. We approved a housing development north of town. That’s another part is housing. With Eli, I told him if you need anything, let me know and I’ll help.”
Bloom added cooperation between city and county was critical.
“We need to work together not separate,” Bloom said. “The county and city should work to gether and communicate.”
Avalos-Morales added development isn’t always major chains coming to town.
“We get criticism because we don’t bring in chains like Garden City does, but I want to acknowledge growth of local businesses,” Avalos-Morales said. “The Chamber has had so many ribbon cuttings recently. Supporting those small local businesses can really help as well.”
