HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Construction of Evergy's $1 billion natural gas power plant in Reno County is expected to create approximately 650 construction jobs over the next three years while helping finance infrastructure improvements designed to attract additional industrial development.
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debra Teufel said it the largest single investment in Reno County history.
"Evergy is certainly probably the biggest project that you could count as a win for our community, probably in this decade," Teufel said.
The combined-cycle natural gas facility is being developed along McNew Road. Kiewit Corporation, the project's general contractor, is working to involve local subcontractors as construction progresses.
Teufel said approximately 650 workers are expected to be on-site during peak construction activity.
The project is already creating additional demand for commercial space and housing in Hutchinson.
Teufel said workers associated with the project are leasing nearly two floors of the Meyer Landmark building in downtown Hutchinson.
Beyond the power plant itself, the development is helping move forward a new transportation corridor serving the facility and a planned industrial park.
The McNew and Mills road project will receive $2 million in grant funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Teufel said payments under Evergy's payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement will help Reno County repay bonds issued to construct the roadway.
The Chamber also partnered with Reno County on grant funding that supported preliminary engineering work.
Teufel believes the improvements could create additional opportunities for industrial development.
"I think that's the catalyst that's going to power future projects," she said.
The project is a central component of the Chamber's broader economic development efforts under its Elevate Reno County strategic plan, which involves Greater Hutch, Startup Hutch and economic development partners throughout the county.