Salina, Kansas is a dynamic, thriving city located near the very center of the nation. Situated at the intersection of Interstate Highways 70 and 135, Salina is a crossroads community. The seventh largest city in Kansas, it is the seat of Saline County and serves as the retail and commercial center for the region.

Salina began its existence as a trading post.  When the railroad came through in 1867, rapid growth came with it. One of the largest wheat producing areas in the world, flourmills were naturally one of the first industries.  Agriculture is still a mainstay of Salina’s economy, though manufacturing and retail are strong factors also. Leading corporations are Tony's Pizza, Exide Battery and Phillips Lighting. The aviation industry has long been tied to Salina. The airfields here have been used for Air Force training grounds. Salina, KS was honored to be the launch field for the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer, the first non-stop global flight. The Salina Airport and Industrial Center boast the finest runway facilities in the nation, and act as a vital refueling site for east-west transport. 

Census 2000 counted Salina’s population at almost 46,000. These civic-minded residents received the designation as an All American City in 1989 for their deep commitment to their home and the high level of community participation. The city celebrates together each year during Santa Fe Days, the Tri-Rivers Fair and the Smoky Hill River Festival. Salina’s Park Service plants over 60,000 flowers each year, creating a colorful wonderland throughout the city’s 600 acres of parks. 

Salina, Kansas stands out as a highly cultural community. The Arts and Humanities Commission, established in 1966, provides numerous grants to local artists and musicians, helping to create an artistic renaissance in the city. The Salina Symphony Orchestra and the Steifel Theatre for the Performing Arts are known throughout Kansas for their excellence.  The Art Center Cinema offers the finest in contemporary film and innovative new technology. 

Historic Downtown Salina acts as the heart and soul of the city. This thirty-one-block area is a pleasure to stroll down, with plazas and fountains and carefully preserved buildings.  More than 300 businesses thrive in this atmosphere. Nightclubs and gourmet eateries abound. A Teen Center awaits the younger crowd. The Smoky Hill Museum offers a look into the prairie’s past. Outside of the city limits is the Yesteryear Museum, a twenty-acre facility created through volunteer effort. The goal is to have a Living Farm, with working artifacts and reenactments of rural life on the plains.

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