Toby Dougherty

The City of Hays, KS (population 20,500) is a progressive community located on I-70 between Kansas City & Denver. As the largest city in NW KS it serves as a regional center for education, health care, professional services, shopping, culture, arts, & recreation for the western half of KS- serving a population of nearly 100,000. Hays is recognized among the top KS cities in entertainment and named one of the best cities for young families & also has award winning public and private schools. Hays is home to Fort Hays State University, known for its innovation and entrepreneurship. FHSU is a regional comprehensive university with over 13,000 students. FHSU is the fastest growing university in the Kansas Regents system. Hays Medical Center employs more than 1,000 people. Hays Medical Center is the home to the DeBakey Heart Institute of KS & is one of the top rural medical centers in the US. Community assets include the Chestnut Street District in Historic Downtown Hays with its unique shopping, galleries, $ eateries. The Hays Arts Council is the oldest local arts agency in KS & has successfully fostered a strong and nationally notable arts community. The Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center is home to the Encore Series, the Hays Symphony, FHSU events and other national & world caliber performances. Hays boasts excellent recreational facilities including the Bickle Schmidt Sports Complex, Hays Aquatic Park, Smoky Hill Country Club, Hays Municipal Golf Course, an extensive recreational program, & excellent opportunities for walking, running, & biking. Hays is within 45 minutes of two large lakes providing boating & other water sports. The Hays Regional Airport provides connecting service to Denver daily. Multiple high-speed Internet service providers service Hays, & the community has consistently been a national leader in connectivity. To find out more about the amazing community of Hays, KS that over 20,000 people call home, visit www.haysusa.net.