MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Reno County commissioners heard details about an upcoming public forum on data center development, tabled two health department grant items for further review and rejected a job incentive request tied to a local manufacturer’s planned expansion.
Data center forum scheduled March 11
An informational session on trends in data center development is set for 11 a.m. March 11 at the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the campus of Hutchinson Community College.
The forum will immediately follow the next commission meeting and is intended to address growing public discussion around potential data center projects in Kansas. Organizers said the event will feature industry and state officials to provide information on power use, water consumption, economic impacts and regulatory safeguards.
Scheduled speakers include Jason Clint, senior director of external affairs for Evergy, who will address power supply and consumer rate protections, and Paul Hughes, director for headquarters and mega projects development with the Kansas Department of Commerce, who will discuss statewide recruitment efforts.
Local industry representatives involved in data center supply chains — including firms that manufacture racking systems and water cooling components — are also expected to participate. Developers exploring projects ranging from 15 megawatts to more than 100 megawatts have been invited as well.
Organizers said the session is designed to provide factual information and allow for public questions before potential regulatory decisions are considered.
During public comment, Darren Gehring, a former Hutchinson firefighter, urged commissioners to consider expanding a proposed three-year moratorium on data centers to include battery energy storage systems. Gehring cited fire safety concerns related to a proposed site along North Buhler Road and asked the commission to “pump the brakes” until more information is available.
Commission Chair Ron Hurst encouraged residents to attend the March 11 session, regardless of their position on the issue.
Health grant items moved to study session
Commissioners voted 4-1 to table items 7C and 7D on the agenda — two Reno County Health Department grant matters — and schedule a special study session at 4 p.m. March 2.
The study session will allow commissioners to review financial and statistical data, including operating costs and services provided under the grants. A decision on the grants must be made by the March 11 meeting to meet a March 13 submission deadline.
Superior Boiler incentive request denied
Commissioners also considered a request for job performance incentives from Superior Boiler following its November 2025 acquisition by Watts Water Technologies.
Lauren Storm of Greater Hutch said the company plans to add up to 100 jobs — 20 administrative and 80 production positions — all paying at least $21 per hour. The request sought reimbursement of $1,500 per job retained for four consecutive quarters, potentially totaling up to $150,000 over a three-year period under the county’s economic development policy.
The motion to approve a letter of intent authorizing negotiations failed on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Ron Vincent, Ron Parks and Randy Boegner voting no, and Hurst and Richard Winger voting yes.
County Administrator Randy Partington said the policy has previously been used by companies including Superior Boiler, Kansas Protein Foods and Wifco Steel Products. Commissioners indicated they may revisit the job incentive policy in a future study session
108th Avenue bridge to be permanently closed
In other business, commissioners voted unanimously to permanently close and remove the 108th Avenue Bridge over Peace Creek, located between Sterling Road and Peace Road on the Reno-Rice county line.
The four-span timber bridge, approximately 74 feet long, was recently rated below a three-ton limit following inspection and deemed unsafe to remain open.
Reno County Public Works Director Don Britton said replacing the bridge would cost an estimated $548,968, with 26% — about $143,610 — billed to Rice County under state cost-sharing formulas. The bridge averages about 20 vehicles per day and does not landlock any properties, Britton said.
Commissioners determined replacement was not financially justified given the low traffic volume and competing infrastructure priorities. Reno County will remove the structure and bill Rice County for its share of removal costs.