General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Yingling Aviation continues acquisition run as it buys Wichita aircraft interiors service provider

After a 2024 that saw Yingling Aviation make multiple acquisition moves, the Wichita-based company has started the new year with another purchase.

Yingling — a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and fixed-base operation services business — announced last week it had bought Global Engineering & Technology Inc. GETI, an aircraft interiors service provider founded in 1991, is also headquartered in the Air Capital.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Integrating GETI into our operations will allow us to greatly increase our scope of work for interior renovations while accelerating client turnaround times," said Yingling Aviation CEO Bob Rasberry said in a news release. "Having collaborated closely with GETI over the years, we have firsthand knowledge of the quality of their team and its outstanding reputation across the industry."

Yingling said bringing GETI into the fold adds 60,000 square feet of facility space to the company, which already had several hundred thousand square feet in its Wichita footprint aided by a series of expansions earlier in the decade.

[SubGod22]

Riverfront Stadium getting a new name?

WBJ - Homegrown Wichita bank poised to put its name on Wind Surge ballpark

The Wichita Wind Surge has been working to land a Riverfront Stadium naming rights partner for years.

It's now closing in on one — the city's only homegrown publicly-traded bank.

The Wichita City Council will consider Tuesday whether to approve an amendment to an earlier facility use agreement for Equity Bank (NYSE: EQBK) to secure stadium naming rights in a 15-year deal that would change the downtown ballpark's name to Equity Bank Park.

"This is just an investment back in the community," said Equity Bank founder and chairman Brad Elliott, in an interview. "We think the timing is right, and the opportunity is right."

We don't have full financial disclosure at this point, but it appears the City of Wichita would get nearly $120K in the first year and then increase by 3% each following year. Apparently a revenue share agreement for naming rights is in the initial contract with the Wind Surge.

Equity Bank had a fantastic 2024 in regards to their stock and acquisitions.

For some reference, Intrust Bank is paying $8.75M over 25 years.

I have nothing to back this up, but I'm going to guess the full financial commitment will be around $5M. I'm sure we'll know more after the city council approves the deal tomorrow.

[SubGod22]

Here's a positive.

WBJ - Children's Mercy plans to expand ambulatory specialty care in Wichita

Children's Mercy intends to expand its ambulatory and specialty care presence in Wichita.

Leaders of the Kansas City-based pediatric hospital confirmed Thursday in a statement to the WBJ its plans to expand in the region to "meet the needs of the community," though details of when and where are unknown.

"(We) will share more details about the location and services as plans are finalized in the first half of this year," a spokesperson said.

Children’s Mercy is a nonprofit health organization that provides pediatric services with 8,600 experts in its health system in the Kansas City, Mo. region and beyond. With its latest location in Springfield, Mo. last year, the pediatric hospital has eight locations in the Kansas City region with a presence in Great Bend, Wichita and Topeka, according to its website.

In Wichita, Children's Mercy operates a site in the Wesley Medical Arts Building at 3243 E. Murdock. The location, which opened in 2013, includes multiple specialty clinics including rheumatology, dermatology and surgery — among others.

Children's Mercy is one of the premier medical facilities in the region and having more and better locations throughout the area and not making everyone travel to KC is a good thing, and something they seem to be focused on.

[Veritas]

Phil Ruffin sitting 2nd row it appears behind Bill Clinton at the inaugural.
Not sure if too late, but we’ll see if Ruffin can help get that Chip factory approved with Govt help in BelAire. Will help population growth near Park City and help Ruffin’s new casino (horse racing) in Park City.

Correction: 3rd row center aisle, 2 rows behind Jill Biden.
Quite the honor for Ruffin.

[SubGod22]

Phil Ruffin sitting 2nd row it appears behind Bill Clinton at the inaugural.
Not sure if too late, but we’ll see if Ruffin can help get that Chip factory approved with Govt help in BelAire. Will help population growth near Park City and help Ruffin’s new casino (horse racing) in Park City.

That plant would be huge for population growth not only in Wichita and Bel Aire, but Andover, Benton, Kechi, and Park City. That could definitely help Ruffin and many others. I would hope that the new leadership that Integra is now under would still support building that facility if the gov't funds ever arrive.

[SubGod22]

More negative Towne West news (is there positive Towne West news?)

Wichita by EB - Dick's Sporting Goods to close Towne West location

One of the biggest retailers at Towne West Square will soon be closing.Dick’s Sporting Goods is set to close their Towne West location at 4600 W. Kellogg Drive on March 1.

The news was confirmed by employees with Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Dick’s Sporting Goods opened in 2003 after taking over the former Service Merchandise location at Towne West Square. This closing will now leave a massive 50,000 square foot void in a shopping center that probably benefited from a nationally recognized retailer.

I haven't been to a Dick's in ages. Not surprised to see them leaving that location considering all of the other issues.