Utilities & Infrastructure

Internet Backbone
Ellis County is the geographic center of the United States, strategically located on Interstate 70 and one of the primary railroad routs for Union Pacific. Sprint, U-Unet, AT&T, Sprint, Qwest, and Digital Island serve local ISP and significant bandwidth users. We have several options for dedicated connectivity for broadband Internet access including leased lines, frame relay and a variety of DSL services. Cable high speed Internet connections are also available.

IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, Hewlett Packard and Compaq certified specialists and technical staff offer residential and business customers the highest degree of support for their data networks.

Remote hosting, server farms and other IT services are perfect for Ellis County. We have a skilled and talented workforce, connectivity and reliable electric power. Our businesses are national IT service providers. Eagle Communications, Nex-Tech and other firms host national and regional e-commerce sites. For example, Eagle Communications is the national web host for all McDonalds restaurants. We are also home to several third party IT support centers, such as N.E.W. and Contact America.

Local & Long Distance Services
Ellis County businesses have several options for obtaining local loop telephone service and switching. Business customers will find a competitive facilities-based service environment. All major national long distance service providers - Sprint, Qwest, MCI, and WorldCom - provide service within Ellis County. Both SBC Communications and Nex-Tech provide bundled local and long distance service, also offering broadband Internet and data services. Additionally, AT&T and Alltel have POP's in Ellis County. Ellis County has a variety of retail providers of wireless communications: Alltel, Nex-Tech Wireless, Unicel and Westlink. These providers feature digital mobile telephone communication and have national rate plans.

Fiber Optic Connectivity
Ellis County is home to AT&T's only rural fiber park. Located adjacent to Hays Regional Airport, the fiber park provides ready access and high capacity redundancy. Other providers also serve this business area creating a fiber-rich, competitive environment. 

Electricity & Natural Gas
With Midwest Energy, our local retail electricity and natural gas provider, we have a constant, reliable supply of electricity at affordable rates. Wholesale gas is also available to those who qualify.

Water & Sewer
The City of Hays owns and operates the water and sewer system within the city limits of Hays.