Maize Struggles to Attract Businesses Amid Wichita's Advantages

City officials say Maize's higher taxes make it hard to compete with Wichita for new commercial development.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stack of city tax forms, a calculator, and a pen resting on a clean, monochromatic grey background, symbolizing the financial challenges Maize faces in competing for new businesses.As Maize struggles to match Wichita's lower tax rates, the city explores new incentives to lure commercial development and boost its tax base.Wichita Today

The city of Maize, Kansas is finding it difficult to draw in new business development due to its higher taxes compared to the neighboring city of Wichita. Maize recently lost out on a project to build a new Dillons grocery store, which is instead being constructed in Wichita. Maize's deputy city manager told the city council that the city needs to find ways to incentivize businesses to come to Maize in order to increase its commercial tax base and fund community needs.

Why it matters

As a smaller city adjacent to the larger Wichita metro area, Maize is struggling to compete for new business investment and development. This is putting pressure on Maize's budget and its ability to provide amenities and services to residents, highlighting the challenges faced by smaller cities trying to grow their economies.

The details

Maize's deputy city manager, Joe Dessenberger, told the city council that Maize recently lost out on a project to build a new Dillons grocery store, which is instead being constructed on the southeast corner of Kansas Highway 96 and Maize Road in Wichita. Dessenberger said Maize's higher taxes compared to Wichita make it difficult to attract new businesses. His plan is to offer incentives to businesses to come to Maize, which he believes will then spur more commercial development and increase the city's tax base. This would allow Maize to potentially provide more amenities and services to residents and potentially provide mill levy relief.

  • On Monday, the deputy city manager addressed the Maize city council about the challenges the city is facing.
  • The new Dillons grocery store is being built on the southeast corner of Kansas Highway 96 and Maize Road in Wichita.

The players

Joe Dessenberger

The deputy city manager of Maize, Kansas who addressed the city council about the need to find ways to incentivize businesses to come to Maize in order to grow the city's commercial tax base.

Maize City Council

The governing body of the city of Maize, Kansas that heard the presentation from the deputy city manager about the challenges the city is facing in attracting new businesses.

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What they’re saying

“'For the future of Maize, we've got to do something because expenses are going up, personnel costs are going up.'”

— Joe Dessenberger, Deputy City Manager

“'There's needs in the community, and the only way you can meet those needs and meet that long-term strategy of amenities in this community is to have commercial development that is taxed at a different rate than residential properties.'”

— Joe Dessenberger, Deputy City Manager

What’s next

The Maize City Council took no immediate action following the presentation, but indicated they were on board with the deputy city manager's plan to offer incentives to attract more businesses to the city.

The takeaway

Maize's struggle to compete with Wichita for new business development highlights the challenges faced by smaller cities adjacent to larger metropolitan areas. By offering incentives to attract more commercial investment, Maize hopes to grow its tax base and provide more amenities and services to residents, but it remains to be seen if this strategy will be effective.