A bill approved by the Kansas Legislature and recently signed by the governor has ensured that Strother Field Airport and Industrial Park will retain its tax exempt status.
Without the legislative fix, officials said, the cities of Winfield and Arkansas City faced a growing risk of needing to impose a property tax levy to support Strother operations — a tax burden that hasn’t existed for residents and businesses since 1952. The two cities jointly own and operate the industrial park and airfield located along U.S. 77.
The passage and signing of Senate Bill 117, clarifies and reaffirms the property tax-exempt status of land and buildings owned by the two cities.
“With the signing of SB 117, Kansas has protected one of South Central Kansas’s most important economic engines and reaffirmed the vision that has sustained Strother Field since 1952,” said a spokesperson for Strother Field. “This legislation preserves our ability to operate independently, without burdening the taxpayers of Winfield or Arkansas City.”
The bill provided clarification, following legal challenges that created uncertainty around Strother Field’s long standing tax-exempt status, originally recognized by the Kansas Legislature in 1991 and 1992 through amendments to KSA 79-201.
That exemption allowed Strother Field to remain self-supporting, using rental revenue from its industrial tenants to fund operations — without the need for local property tax support. For the better part of two decades, the two cities have been involved in repeated legal arguments at the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals to defend the earlier legislative policy.
Strother Field by the Numbers:
• $2.1 billion economic impact
• Over 1,700 jobs
• $189 million in payroll
• Home to industries including aerospace, plastics, and elevator control manufacturing
• Location of the only GE engine overhaul facility in North America (Continue story below ad.)
“SB 117 was not just about taxes—it was about preserving jobs, economic vitality, and a sustainable model that works. Strother Field accounts for nearly 50% of the economic impact of all general aviation airports in the State of Kansas” the spokesperson added. “We’re deeply grateful to the Kansas Legislature and Governor for recognizing the vital role Strother Field plays in the region and acting to protect its future.” As a result of this legislation, Strother Field can now move forward with confidence, continuing to attract and support world-class industries, drive regional growth, and honor its commitment to operating without taxing the citizens of Winfield and Arkansas City.
