By Stacy Davis, Sumner County Economic Development Commission —  I’ve heard a lot of opinions about the half-cent sales tax that supports Cowley College’s Sumner Campus. Some folks see only the line on a receipt. I see classrooms full of our neighbors earning credentials, shop floors across the county filling skilled positions, and emergency crews trained right here at home. I see a bigger picture—one that benefits every community in Sumner County, not just one city.

Let me start with what “half-cent” really means. For every $100 spent, it’s 50 cents. And because it’s a sales tax, the cost is shared by everyone who buys something here—residents, commuters, visitors passing through on U.S. 81, 160, 166, or I-35—not just property owners. That matters. Instead of another bill showing up in the mailbox, this is a pay-as-you-go investment that spreads the load broadly and fairly.

What are we getting for that half-cent? A pipeline of homegrown talent that our employers asked for and our economy needs. Companies like Pinnacle Aerospace, Elite Harness, CMJ Manufacturing, AAR, GKN, and Buffco Engineering aren’t abstract names on a brochure; they’re local paychecks, sponsorships of youth programs, and steady orders for other small businesses. When Cowley’s Sumner Campus aligns programs with these employers, it shortens the distance between classroom and career. That means faster hiring, less turnover, and better wages that are spent in our shops and restaurants from Conway Springs to Oxford, from Caldwell to Belle Plaine and Wellington.

One shining example is the state-of-the-art EMT program offered only at the Sumner Campus. If you’ve ever waited for an ambulance, you know minutes matter. Training EMTs locally means we build and retain a workforce that understands our roads, our distances, and our people. Departments across the county feel that impact—whether it’s a late-night call in a rural township or a weekend tournament in a town park. That readiness is a public good we all rely on, even if we never need to dial 911.

We’re also maximizing every local dollar by bringing in outside funding. Sumner County received a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant, and we put up a $25,000 county match. Together, those funds helped 46 households with tuition, books, tools, and supplies for students attending the Sumner Campus. That is exactly how this should work: leverage grants, add a reasonable local match, and remove the cost barriers that keep people from finishing credentials and getting to work.

Another strength is dual-credit opportunities for our youth. High school students can earn college credit in technical fields before they even cross the graduation stage. For families, that’s time and tuition saved. For students, it’s confidence and momentum. And for employers, it’s a head start on the skills they’re eager to hire for—electromechanical basics, fabrication, quality control, and more. Dual credit doesn’t just help one district; it connects classrooms across the county to a high-value training hub right here at home.

Then there’s the Robotics Challenge—a hands-on, high-energy way to spark interest in engineering, coding, and advanced manufacturing. Events like this are more than trophies and photos. They change the way a young person sees themselves and their future. They also connect teachers to industry mentors and introduce parents to realistic, well-paid career paths available without moving away. That matters for population retention, for our volunteer bases, and for the future leadership of every town in our county.

I often hear, “But isn’t this just about Wellington?” No. The Sumner Campus is physically located there, but its reach is county-wide by design. Students come from across Sumner and beyond; employers recruit across city lines; and the spending from students, staff, and visiting families spreads out just like a good rain—filling the small creeks as well as the main river. A machinist who trains in Wellington might clock in at CMJ Manufacturing, then buy lunch in and coach Little League in Mulvane. An EMT trained at the campus might work a shift in one community and respond to a call in another the next day. Education and workforce development do not recognize city limits, and neither do the benefits.

We also need to talk about resilience. The last few years have taught us how quickly supply chains shift and how valuable it is to make things here. Companies like AAR and GKN operate in industries that demand precision and reliability. When the campus equips students for those standards, it helps our employers win contracts, keep work local, and attract new opportunities. The same is true for specialized firms like Pinnacle Aerospace, Elite Harness, and Buffco Engineering—when they can hire locally, they can grow locally. That strengthens our tax base without raising taxes. It supports civic groups, school activities, and main-street storefronts. It means more ladders up for people who want to stay, work, and raise families here.

Could we accomplish all this with a property tax instead? Maybe—but I don’t think that would be right or fair. A property tax falls squarely on homeowners, farmers, and small business owners whether sales are brisk or slow. A sales tax ties our investment to economic activity. When the community is busy and visitors are spending, the support rises naturally. When times are tight, the burden eases. And again, everyone who benefits from our roads, events, and amenities helps shoulder the cost when they make a purchase here.

I understand the instinct to be cautious. No one wants to waste. But this isn’t a one-sided story about a single campus building. It’s a county-wide strategy: align education with real jobs, keep our kids engaged, train our first responders locally, and give employers the confidence to expand. If we only look at the register tape and not the results, we miss the bigger picture—and we risk letting opportunities pass us by.

So, here’s my ask: let’s be thankful it’s a sales tax and not a property tax, and let’s keep measuring success the way families and businesses do—by outcomes. Count the EMTs on the trucks. Count the students earning dual credit. Count the hires at Pinnacle Aerospace, Elite Harness, CMJ Manufacturing, AAR, GKN, and Buffco Engineering. Count the robotics teams discovering they love problem-solving. Count the 46 households we helped with tuition, books, and tools so they could attend the Sumner Campus. Count the paychecks spent on Friday nights in our towns. Those numbers tell the real story.

A half-cent can feel small in the moment, but it adds up to something big: a stronger, safer, more skilled Sumner County—together.