Submitted

NCK Tech and Northwest Kansas Housing Inc. (NWK Housing) in Norton have established a multi-year relationship to provide housing in rural Kansas communities.

NWK Housing Inc. will be purchasing houses from both the Hays and Beloit campuses of NCK Tech over the next five years.

Each home boasts over 1,900 square feet, is well-insulated with highly energy efficient lighting, is accessible and set up for geothermal energy. NCK Tech houses are designed, built and finished by NCK Tech students in the Carpentry, Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning, and Electrical Technology programs while under the supervision of licensed faculty.

These houses are still for sale and available for the general public but will not be at live auction.

Interested parties may contact the NWK Housing office at (785) 421-2151 for more information. Special Financing and other programs may be available upon qualification.

NCK Tech President Eric Burks said, “We are proud and excited to partner with Northwest Kansas Housing, Inc. We are both dedicated to strengthening economic systems for the region and feel providing new quality housing will help attract and retain people in our area. The board and I were adamant that NCK Tech continue to serve as a source for housing for our region.

“We really feel as though it ended up as a win-win-win. The college wins because we stabilized what we generate from the housing projects, which is especially important in light of the state’s finances. NWK Housing wins because we can consistently provide them with houses to continue their initiative. The purchaser also wins because anyone can still purchase the house at a fair price and they may even qualify for additional financing options available through NWK Housing,” said Burks.

Randall Hrabe, executive director of the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission and NWK Housing, said, “I am extremely happy with the new partnership we have with NCK Tech College to construct the houses for us over the next five years. It is vital for us in the rural areas to work together regionally to meet our needs or what I refer to as our ‘rural resilience.’

“It is not only the new housing being created for northwest Kansas, but we also encourage the students to become entrepreneurial and possibly start their own construction business after they are out of school. Through our Certified Development Company, we can also provide that funding and expertise,” Hrabe added.

The house auctions for both Hays and Beloit are cancelled. Contact Hrabe at NWK Housing at (785) 421-2151 for purchase information.