Welcome to ABCC
Advancing Barton County Childcare
Business Partnership
ABCC, Inc. was born from conversations with our businesses where they expressed that lack of childcare was a major barrier to hiring employees. As a partner of Great Bend Economic Development we always strive to keep our businesses informed and at the table.
Future Location
We are in a growing phase! Our future home will be located on the Farmer's Plaza site at 10th and K96 in Great Bend, 4507 Farmers Plaza Ln.. We are very excited to get this facility up and running, but please be patient as we take our time to ensure we are building the best possible childcare center for your children!
Contact Us
For questions about ABCC, Inc., our partnership with GBED, please reach out HERE.
For curriculum specific, waiting list inquiries, and operation related questions, stay tuned as we get the right childcare provider hired to move us forward and answer all of these questions.
Newsworthy
Our Mission
To provide quality, reliable and sustainable childcare solutions to the citizens of Barton County.
Meet the Board
Advancing Barton County Childcare
Our Board team consists of business leaders, public sector leaders and childcare professionals. Together, this team is committed to establishing high quality childcare centers and support.
Sara Arnberger
Sara Arnberger is President at Great Bend Economic Development and serves on the ABCC board as Chairman.
Laura Maneth
Laura Maneth is the Human Resources Business Partner for University of Kansas Health Systems Great Bend Campus and serves on the ABCC Board as Vice Chairman.
Mary Foley
Mary Foley is the Director of Workforce Training and Economic Development at Barton Community College and joins the ABCC board as Secretary.
Matt Patzner
Matt Patzner is the Barton County Administrator and joins the ABCC Board as a Treasurer.
Aaron Andrews
Aaron Andrews is a Real Estate Broker at MPIRE Realty Group and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Khris Thexton
Khris Thexton is the Superintendent at USD 428 and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Phil Metro
Phil Metro is the Manufacturing Manager/Sustainability at Superior Essex and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Jim Blackwell
Jim Blackwell is Regional Vice President at Great Plains Health Alliance and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Larissa Graham
Larissa Graham is the Director at the Barton Community College Child Development Center and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Cody Schmidt
Cody Schmidt is Mayor of Great Bend and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Patrick Crowdis
Patrick Crowdis is the Superintendent at USD 431 and joins the ABCC Board as a board member.
Debbie Stephens
Debbie Stephens is the Director at GPS Kids and joins the ABCC board as a board member.
Welcome!
ABCC Site Director
Kelsie Baxter
I am honored to serve children as Site Director for Advancing Barton County Childcare. Professionally, I have enjoyed taking care of and loving on children for eight years. I served at GPS Kids Club in Hoisington for 7 years and established my own licensed in home daycare in 2022. As I take on this new role, I am looking forward to prioritizing both fun and safety in a new setting! Providing quality childcare services for all families is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my loving husband and two sweet boys and serving at my church. I am so excited for the future of ABCC!
The ABCC team has been working hard to bring this childcare center to life. As we continue on in our journey, you can check back here for updates, FAQ's and more.
"Our goal was and is to create a self-sustaining center with high standards of education and care and competitive pay. We’re very pleased to have secured zoning approval for our childcare land, while this is certainly a huge milestone in the project, we have many more to conquer before we have a completed project. We will be sure to share and celebrate all of the coming milestones with the public, right here, as they happen."
Our Team
Further openings will be posted fall 2023.
Center Operation Updates
We are set to break ground on the new center July 20, 2023 at 10 am. Center opening is projected for early spring 2024.
Commonly asked questions can be found here as well as vendors and services you can expect to see in the upcoming center.
Contact Us
Our address and contact details
Mailing Address
Great Bend Economic Development
ATTN: ABCC
PO Box 1643
Great Bend, KS 6530
Phone & Email
Business Hours
Monday - Friday
8;00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed Weekends
Facility Tours
None at this time