Garnett is facing several issues in 2024. The results of a housing study shows the need for affordable housing and senior housing as well. The need for housing is driven by the construction of the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto and the computer chip factory in Burlington. Officials expect potential employees to look for housing in the are. According to the Anderson County Review, Garnett money matters are also an issue and continually on the front burner.
In 2023 the city looked at increasing wholesale electrical rates and started talks with East Kansas Agri Energy, which may eventually pursue construction of a small electrical generation plant at the Garnett ethanol production facility, to produce not only electricity for the ethanol operation, but also might take the city on as a power customer.
There’s also an ongoing project to expand the Garnett Industrial Airport which will utilize primarily Federal Aviation Administration funding but will require procuring additional land around the facility from private landowners.
