It has been several months since we have been able to produce a newsletter due to the press of other business, and the fact Kelly Pearl resigned effective October 6, 2005 to work for Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation in Topeka.

We are very happy to announce our new development associate, Erin Jeschke, started with us March 1. Erin was born and raised in Highland, Kansas. She is a 2002 graduate of KSU with a degree in public relations. She has excellent skills in the use of several graphics software programs. Erin was student intern and then a paid announcer/assistant news director for KMAN radio for several months after graduation. Most recently she was news editor/interim managing editor for The Newton Kansan newspaper. Erin is an athlete, competing in track and other sports while a student, and still a dedicated distance runner. Erin is living in Wamego. And, now that she's here - following is an update of events and activities since last August!

Liberty Inc., a major regional trailer manufacturer located in Green Valley Business Park, has completed its major addition and added approximately 15 new employees. We sold the company two lots early in 2005 in order to facilitate their expansion and worked with them to prepare a property tax abatement, which was approved by the County commission in late 2005.

Howell Lumber in Wamego has completed their new warehouse facility on their new property in Wamego Industrial Park.

Custom Wood Products in St Marys recently completed an approximately 2 million-dollar expansion, adding 20+ new jobs to the community. We prepared a property tax abatement request with Custom Wood Products, which was approved by the St Marys City Commission in January, 2006.

MGP Ingredients is the proud new owner of the previous Onaga Composites facility in Onaga. MGP Ingredients is a diversified food products company headquartered in Atchison. In business since the 1940's the company is traded on NASDAQ. (See MGPI). This well-respected company completed the purchase of the Onaga facility in late September, 2005. The company has since since completed about a 2 million dollar upgrade to the facility and equipment, already hired its manager and one shift of employees and will soon be adding a second shift at the facility. We were happy to work with MGPI and the City of Onaga to obtain an appropriate property tax abatement for this major new business. The abatement was approved by the City of Onaga in February 2006.

Kansas National Guard finalized a purchase agreement with the previous owners of the large TDM facility in East Manhattan/Pottawatomie County in November, 2005. The Guard has since begun to centralize some of its statewide operations at this facility. This will result in significant new employment of about 200 personnel in the SW corner of our county, with average salaries of about $45,000. Many full-time National Guard personnel have already begun to move to our area.

First Trust Company of Onaga plans to expand by constructing a new 10,000 building in Onaga. A USDA Rural Development Loan Guarantee has been approved, land has been acquired thanks to Community Health Care Systems - Onaga, and necessary infrastructure is now in the planning stages.

Zoning changes: The corporation worked with tenants and with the City of Wamego to change the zoning regulations governing Wamego Industrial Park to allow more commercial uses along the front side of the park abutting 24 highway, add additional permitted industrial uses to the south part of the park, while maintaining restrictions against unwanted and noxious uses throughout. These changes were approved by the City of Wamego in December, 2005.

 Green Valley Business Park; Phase 3 pending : We are currently working with engineers and utility companies on cost estimates for adding streets and utilities in Phase 3 of Green Valley Business Park in anticipation of increased demand for finished lots by businesses being moved out of the redevelopment area in Manhattan, and general demand for land in the area.

Land sales: We sold lots in Green Valley Business Park to RWA Construction (Lot 19) and McDonald Construction (Lot 18) in December 2005 and January 2006. These busy builders needed additional space for staging and office operations. Welcome RWA and MacDonald! We sold a lot in Wamego Industrial Park to Howell Lumber in late 2005 for a new warehouse facility.

Belvue Bridge: The new Belvue bridge has been completed, which is a big safety improvement.

Right-of-way purchase: The state DOT completed a major right of way purchase from the railroad along much of the Highway 24 corridor from the area east of Wamego, through an area near Perry. DOT land now extends several dozen feet south of existing highway right-of-way in many places. The new boundaries are being flagged and boundary posts set.

Resurfacing: DOT will resurface 24 from Belvue East to somewhere in Shawnee County this spring and summer. No additional improvements are presently planned east.

Traffic counts, intersections and signals: State DOT is conducting new traffic counts along the 24 corridor just east of Manhattan. Pending traffic difficulties at the entrance to Excel Road and the entrance to Green Valley Road have been projected. Additional problems at the intersection of 24 and McCall Road are also projected. A plan for resolving these problems is beginning to be discussed between DOT and the county.

Corridor Plan: There was a county commission work session March 20 on “Green Valley Road sewer line expansion, Excel Road and Hwy 24 intersection, Road Improvement Plan and Hwy 24 Corridor Plan amendment.” High growth in this area is prompting consideration of improvements to sewer and water service as well changes in land use management to centralize growth along paved intersections with Highway 24.

Housing Impacts: In an effort to better understand the economic impact of new housing and residents in Pottawatomie County, we contracted with Reece and Novelly, CPAs to prepare “Housing Benefit Studies” in the rapidly growing area of Blue Township. The results were presented to the county commission in late 2005. It turns out each new household in Blue Township adds about $29,000 annually in direct, indirect and multiplier benefits to the economy of Pottawatomie County. With 1,000 new houses, the aggregate benefit is about $29 million annually. A second housing benefit study was completed on Wamego with similar results. When we think about the costs of infrastructure and services for new housing, we also need to think about the fact each new family pays taxes, makes purchases, spends money and otherwise adds value to our economy.

2010 Goals: We worked with groups of local leaders during 2005 to establish “2010” goals for the tri-cities area of Onaga/Wheaton/Havensville, St Marys, Wamego and Westmoreland. These were exciting and interesting brainstorming events, and the results will be incorporated into our next 3-5 year economic development plan. Thanks to all the people who helped imagine new futures for our communities.

Rural Foundation: “The Kansas Rural Communities Foundation” is a new Community Foundation that has been organized and approved by the IRS as a tax-exempt, non-profit public foundation. This will serve as a vehicle through which local donors in Pottawatomie County can make charitable donations for community improvement projects.

The founding board of directors includes: Doug Springer, Wamego, President; Tom Nelson, Olsburg, vice-president; Gary Conklin, Westmoreland, secretary; and Jim Mees, St Marys, Treasurer. Other founding board members include: Terry Force, Wheaton; Lois Hellebust, rural Olsburg area; Chris Flattery, Onaga; Allen Schaper, Wamego; and Jim Moore, Westmoreland. Community Advisors include Mike Rice and Bob Cole. Watch for a new Web site and more information about this foundation in the future.