Dodge City considers incentives for new commercial and entertainment districts

(DODGE CITY, Kan.) — Dodge City says it is losing retail and entertainment dollars to its neighbors, and it wants new development to help turn that around.

Officials with Dodge City are now looking at sales tax revenue STAR bond incentives for new commmercial and entertainment districts. The first district would go around the Boot Hill Casino and Resort, the other would include downtown Dodge City and the Boot Hill Museum.

City manager Ken Strobel says the bonds and development will not mean any increase in taxes.

"We think that is a mechanism we can use to develop that additional entertainment and really attract people from hopefully all around the nation," said Strobel.

City leaders say as much as $200 million a year in retail dollars go to other towns like Garden City, Wichita and Hutchinson.

STAR bonds let cities issues bonds to help finance commercial, entertainment and tourism development. Sales tax revenue from the development is then used to pay off the bonds. You can learn more about STAR bonds by clicking here or on the related link for the Kansas Department of Commerce.