Other Kansas News From Outside The Metro

[WstateU]

Didn't see this coming.

KWCH - KMW to invest $105 million in Sterling, create 250+ jobs



This is a hell of a win for Rice County and the city of Sterling.

I gotta wonder if Gene's company didn't have some pull. If Genzada Pharmaceuticals hits it big, watch out... it could be a game-changer for southcentral Kansas.

See Dr. Gene Zaid | Genzada Pharmaceuticals | Hyatt Life Sciences | JACAM Chemical Company at Startup Grind Wichita

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Newman, Garden City CC expand collaboration to battle Kansas education desert

The aim is to alleviate southwest Kansas' higher-education desert while also keeping them near home to enter the professional workforce.

That's what is behind a collaboration between Garden City Community College, a 2-year school, and four-year Newman University based in Wichita.

The schools are working beyond their two-decade startup effort to offer elementary education degrees to Garden City students and expanding to degree programs in business, agribusiness and nursing. The city and business community benefit by having a better chance of keeping young adults in the area, said Jessica Bird, Newman's dean of the School of Education and Social Work.

"They are ecstatic, excited, and I think they see this as a way to strengthen the community and retain talent," said Bird, who lives in Garden City. "Brain drain is a real thing and anytime a student leaves here, there's a really good chance they are not coming back."

Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke at Garden City last month about the expansion of the program.

"I'm grateful to the leadership at both entities for their pursuit of filling the higher education gaps in our state and offering young Kansans the opportunity to achieve their dreams," Moran said.

No doubt this is a big issue in a lot of areas. There are some good opportunities though in western Kansas now and in the future in the right fields. I'm connected into a certain segment of the construction industry through work and I can tell you that we're involved in a lot of activity out in SW Kansas especially. Some very large projects in the Garden City, Dodge City and soon to be Greensburg areas. I think there's been talk of finding some office space out there to have someone dedicated to SW Kansas who can more closely help navigate and be on site as well as potentially grow our sphere of influence out there. Most of this would be in the agribusiness sector but there are opportunities I believe in the future for more growth out there.

On a personal level, as someone who is from a small town and would like to see growth, I think if these communities out there, and elsewhere, can retain some of the best and brightest that good things can happen. I hate when I travel and end up driving through some small, dead town that you can tell once had good life and an active main street. But jobs naturally flow into the larger cities and kill off smaller communities. If I had the fund to do so, I would love to be able to invest in some kind of industry that you could place out in some of the more rural areas of the state and give good jobs to areas that could desperately use them. If I ever play and win the lottery, I may do just that.

[SubGod22]

Decided to see what I could find on a couple of projects I mentioned in the Golden Shovel post.

Ingredients Network - Hilmar Breaks Ground on Production Facility in Dodge City, Kansas

Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. broke ground today on the site of its future state-of-the-art cheese and whey protein processing plant in Dodge City, Kansas. The new facility is expected to create 250 new jobs and represents more than $600 million in capital investment.

Hilmar Cheese Company is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality American-style cheese and nutritious whey products with customers in more than 50 countries. Founded in 1984 by 12 local dairy farm families in the Central Valley of California, Hilmar added a production facility in Dalhart, Texas in 2007. The privately owned company currently employs more than 1,500 local residents of those two locations.

Attending the groundbreaking ceremony were Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Senator Jerry Moran, Dodge City Mayor Kent Smoll, Chairman of the Ford County Commissioners Chris Boyd and many other officials and community members. Hilmar’s board of directors, executive team and employees were also on hand to celebrate.

“The Hilmar project is a game-changer for southwest Kansas in terms of job growth, opportunity and lifestyle benefits for those living in Dodge City and surrounding communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration is focused on ensuring prosperity reaches all parts of the state, and I couldn’t think of a better company to join us here. Welcome to Kansas!”

“We are excited about this partnership with Dodge City,” stated David Ahlem, President & CEO of Hilmar Cheese Company. “This community has a local and skilled labor force, a supportive and expanding agricultural region, and an excellent transportation network. It is a great location to invest in the future.”

“Kansas is a growing dairy state and a prime location for Hilmar Cheese Company’s new processing plant,” said Senator Moran. “Hilmar Cheese recently participated in my Conservation Tour in western Kansas, and they will be a great partner in creating new jobs and bolstering Kansas’ dairy generational dairy farms while remaining committed to sustainability.”

Hilmar Cheese Company has adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment and goal to achieve a Net Zero dairy industry by 2050. The Dodge City facility will incorporate the latest technology and advancements in conservation and sustainability. A state-of-the-art instrumentation and control systems will minimize the water needed to keep the plant clean and minimize energy usage. Recycled water will be used further in processing protein, to clean the facility and equipment, and to reclaim waste heat. The equipment will utilize the latest technology, such as upgraded spray nozzles for more efficient cleaning. The process will reuse rinse water. The latest equipment, instrumentation and automated controls technology will reduce overall energy use.

The Burlington chip plant broke ground last September.

Emporia Gazette - 'We want to stay in the area': Burlington breaks ground on new chips manufacturing plant

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, along with Coffey County commissioners and leadership from Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing, broke ground on a new 30,000 square foot facility Friday afternoon. The facility will be located just north of the Coffey County Airport on U.S. Highway 75.

SSM is a microelectronics manufacturer who will primarily supply semiconductor components for EMP Shield and other semiconductor manufacturers across the United States as part of a $1.9 billion investment that includes a partnership with Flint Hills Technical College and area high schools to provide the necessary training for potential employees. Gov. Laura Kelly announced the project in February.

SSM’s $20 million investment into the region is projected to create 64 jobs, and along with producing semiconductor components, the company will also provide rapid prototyping for other manufacturers across both U.S. defense and private sector applications.

“We’ve been through a lot with COVID and we’ve seen what happens when our supply chain is some place outside the United States, said Moran, during his keynote speech. “We’ve paid a price for that.”

Moran said the project is a win for Coffey County and the State of Kansas, as well as the families that will raise their childrens in the region.

“Economic development and job growth in Kansas matters every place in our state, but especially when it happens in a rural place, it’s even more special,” he said. “Part of my job is to do everything I can to make sure that rural Kansas has a future, and the efforts by local folks, county commissioners and economic development, make the difference.”

EMP Shield plans to have four production lines operating in approximately 235,000 square feet of facilities in the new industrial park that will produce thousands of chips per week. Its suppliers will manufacture necessary components and prepare the final products for delivery. The facility will create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually.

I love seeing more rural areas get wins like this.

High Plains Journal - Blue Sky Farms breaks ground on Edwards County dairy

Blue Sky Farms officials broke ground for the Twin Circle Dairy near Lewis Kansas, April 26. The dairy is expected to be home to nearly 25,000 cows and construction should be completed in 2025. Currently Blue Sky Farms has six dairies in Texas and another location where heifer calves are developed. More farm locations provide feed for the cows and heifers, as well as a harvest and hauling business. Watch for more information from the groundbreaking event and speakers in future issues of High Plains Journal and online at www.hpj.com.

Not much info on this one, but it's my understanding that they're planning on building a facility on par with High Plains Ponderosa.


I believe that Hilmar Cheese is expected to have their facility up and running this fall. High Plains Ponderosa should have their most recent barn finished by the end of the year. Blue Sky is ambitious but they're probably looking at being complete by summer of '25.

[SubGod22]

I'm putting this here because even though it involves Newman University, its focus is on SW Kansas.

Audacy - Another sizable federal grant for Wichita's Newman University

Newman University in Wichita has been awarded a $2.1 million Research and Public Engagement Development (RPED) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant will enhance educational access and workforce development in the southwest part of Kansas.

Newman University President Kathleen S. Jagger, Ph.D., MPH, believes the award is a “game-changer" for the region.

The grant will strengthen several of Newman's four-year degree offerings in Southwest Kansas, including agribusiness, business, education, nursing and the soon-to-launch sonography program. This expansion is being driven by collaborative partnerships with Dodge City Community College, Garden City Community College and Seward County Community College.

Newman says it wants to create stronger connections with area high schools and local employers through the development of internships, cooperative education programs and clearly mapped career paths.

A major focus of the grant is enhancing comprehensive support services to ensure student success from recruitment to career placement. This includes improved advising, financial aid assistance and career development initiatives. The grant will fund four new dedicated staff roles: project coordinator, access coordinator, student success specialist and workforce/community liaison.

Funding from the grant will provide technological enhancements, like smart classrooms and a laptop loaner program. It will also establish paid internship stipends for students to gain work experience.

[SubGod22]

Massively hyped convenience store has Kansas plans

Fox 4 KC - Officials to discuss building of Buc-ee's store in Kansas next month

A delay over plans to possibly bring Buc-ee’s to the Kansas City area.

Wyandotte County officials planned to discuss building the giant convenience store near Kansas Speedway Monday, July 8. Those talks have been pushed back until next month on Aug. 12.

The meeting would have discussed the possible use of STAR bonds to help pay for the project.

If Kansas City, Kansas officials approve of their plans by the speedway, it would be the first one in Kansas.

I have friends that live in Texas. Some say it's the greatest thing ever. Others say they miss QuickTrip. I've never seen a Buc-ee's in the wild so I have no real opinion.

[WstateU]

Massively hyped convenience store has Kansas plans

Fox 4 KC - Officials to discuss building of Buc-ee's store in Kansas next month



I have friends that live in Texas. Some say it's the greatest thing ever. Others say they miss QuickTrip. I've never seen a Buc-ee's in the wild so I have no real opinion.

It's my 'stop' when I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex... very good food and more restroom stalls than you can shake a stick at...

[ShockTalk]

We go down to hike in the hill country area and have made several weekly trips over the last 10 years. Buc-ee's is quite the thing to at least visit.

No shortage of Quik Trips in Texas anymore. They're approaching 300 units in Texas.

[RoyalShock]

Buc-ees is an impressive store. However, if you go there around meal time, it's a friggin zoo. You'd be lucky to walk five steps and not have to brush against someone or sidestep to avoid it. Oh, and lines at the bathrooms.

[SubGod22]

Fox 4 KC - USDA investing nearly $10 million in two Kansas communities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded two grants totaling $9,317,034 that will benefit two Kansas communities.

The grants were announced as part of a larger national announcement that included projects in 14 other states as part of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).

The first grant is for $2,445,654 to help construct a new USDA-inspected beef and hog processing facility for Top End LLC dba TEAM Processing of Kanorado. Once completed, the western Kansas facility will be able to process meat for over 50 local producers.

The facility will also be able to provide organic certification and be able to process exotic meats like buffalo and yak so local producers can reach new and better markets. The facility will also have on-site retail space to sell to the public. It is expected to create around 19 new jobs.

The second grant is for $6,871,380 to help construct, equip, and obtain a grant of inspection for a slaughter and fabrication facility in Fall River. Once in operation, Real Kansas Meats LLC’s facility is expected to serve around 100 producers in Kansas and western Missouri, creating around 117 jobs.

I believe the idea here is to help local farmers get their product to the market and keep costs down for consumers. It also sounds like it will help those that want to buy local acquire Kansas meats while also creating some decent jobs in these small communities.

[SubGod22]

This is big for those struggling in western Kansas.

Yahoo! - Kansas Food Bank to open a new facility in Garden City

Kansas Food Bank President and CEO Brian Walker expects that the products they deliver will be much improved as well.

“One of the things we want to do out here is provide more fresh produce because a number of our clients we serve have high blood pressure or heart disease, so we want to be able to make sure we can supply them with fresh produce and good protein. With this facility, we’re going to be able to do a better job with that,” said Walker.

Walker also believes that it’s becoming increasingly important that residents receive the support they need because of the damaging effects of inflation.

“Last year, we were looking at 1 in 10 citizens who were food insecure, and this year, we’re looking at 1 in 7. We’re also looking at the cost of a meal going up to $4.05 when it was $3.65 last year. We’re just seeing increases, and we’re not seeing any decreases, so I think with inflation, it’s just really hurting folks,” said Walker.

Food delivery should begin next month and facility should be fully operational by next July.

[SubGod22]

New tourist attraction opening soon.

AP - The prison where the 'In Cold Blood' killers were executed will soon open for tours

The shuttered Kansas prison where the killers chronicled in Truman Capote ‘s “In Cold Blood” were executed is now a tourist attraction.

Starting Friday, former wardens and corrections officers will lead two-hour tours of the stone-walled building in Lansing that first began housing inmates in the 1860s, The Kansas City Star reported.

The building, originally called the Kansas State Penitentiary, was without purpose after the Kansas Department of Corrections opened the newly constructed Lansing Correctional Facility in 2020. But instead of demolishing it, the Department of Corrections transferred control of the building to the Lansing Historical Society and Museum.

Tours available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until October 26. They'll stop over winter as the prison apparently has no heat or electricity and start up again sometime in spring.

[WuDrWu]

I have a vague memory of touring the Sedgwick County Courthouse as a very young student. Maybe 1st grade? Among those memories is seeing gallows somewhere in that building and being scared to death at the time. But my memory is terrible and I'm wondering if I am just imagining it?

[Kung Wu]

I have a vague memory of touring the Sedgwick County Courthouse as a very young student. Maybe 1st grade? Among those memories is seeing gallows somewhere in that building and being scared to death at the time. But my memory is terrible and I'm wondering if I am just imagining it?

Wow, is that true?

[SubGod22]

Not that this doesn't include the Wichita metro, but it has a greater scope than just that.

KAKE - Kansas tourism, spending surge beyond pre-pandemic levels

In 2023, an estimated 37.9 million people visited the state, a 4% increase from the year before, according to an August economic impact report for the Kansas Tourism Division, the state’s tourism arm under the Department of Commerce. Visitor volumes had steadily increased after a 2020 dip due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it wasn’t until three years later that the number of visitors reached and exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The director of the division, Bridgette Jobe, said this is good news.

“I believe Kansas is well positioned to be attractive for new visitors,” she said via email. “Trends show that travelers want ‘authentic’ experiences, open spaces, affordability and stressless vacations. Kansas can provide all of those things.”

Those travelers spent more than $8 billion in the local economy in 2023, a nearly 5% increase from 2022, according to the report. More than half — about $4.3 billion — was spent on transportation and food and beverage sales.

Total economic impact estimated at $13.2B, sustaining around 100,000 jobs. Over $800M in tax revenue.

Fun fact, 1 our of every 22 jobs in the state exists because of travel/tourism.

[SubGod22]

A bit of a blow to McPherson

WBJ - Pfizer lays off 80 employees in McPherson as part of larger cost-cutting program

Pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer has announced layoffs in its McPherson plant, 57 miles north of Wichita.

The medical drug manufacturer, headquartered in New York, has laid off 80 employees at its manufacturing plant in McPherson that specializes in making sterilized injectable medicines used in hospitals.

The company said in an email to the WBJ that layoffs resulted at the site "to ensure capacity is effectively utilized based on projected product demands," which started after it announced a margin assessment program — aimed at cutting costs at the company by at least $1.5 billion by the end of 2027 — in May.

"... We’ve conducted a series of these evaluations focused on operational efficiencies and network optimization," the company statement said. "Based on these evaluations, we have aligned headcount with our site capacity designs to meet the needs of the business."

The cuts announced in May are in addition to the $4 billion cost-cutting efforts from 2023 that stemmed from declining Covi-19 vaccine sales. The company said in a May SEC filing that the program is a multiphased effort in its first phase.

Pfizer has also disclosed layoffs at its U.S. sites in New York, Colorado, California, North Carolina and Washington this year, affecting roughly 1,500 jobs. Globally, the company has laid off employees in Switzerland and Germany. Earlier this month, the company cut 210 manufacturing jobs in Ireland.

Looks like this impacts management and engineering roles.