Following the devastating hailstorm that struck Arkansas City on June 17, 2025, City Manager Randy Frazer has been in active communication with county, state, and federal officials to pursue every possible avenue of relief for affected business owners. The storm, which produced baseball- to softball-sized hail measuring up to 3.75 inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 86 mph, caused widespread damage to both residential and commercial properties throughout the community. The Cowley County Board of Commissioners issued a local disaster declaration shortly after the storm. That declaration has been submitted to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM), which is currently assessing the extent of the damage to determine whether the threshold for public assistance has been met. According to KDEM, if at least 25 properties-commercial or residential-are confirmed to have sustained significant structural damage, such as roof loss or major interior damage, the community may become eligible for low-interest recovery loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Emergency Services Director Doug Allison said he has not yet received word from KDEM regarding the status of their assessment for public assistance but is continuing proactive outreach. City officials have also contacted state and federal legislators, formally requesting information on available disaster relief options through SBA, FEMA, USDA Rural Development, and the Kansas Department of Commerce. These may include low-interest loans, grants, or Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. If Cowley County meets the public assistance threshold-set at $163,071.28-the next step will be seeking individual assistance for businesses and private property owners. This would activate the SBA loan process and open additional recovery resources for the local community.