NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HAVEN, Kan. — A Reno County company is looking to expand in its hometown.
"Our Greater Hutch team, Lauren Storm, has been working with Jitana Graf and the Haven Economic Development folks," said Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO Debra Teufel. "They have their own economic development committee in Haven that employs a half time economic developer, and Jitana has been working with one of their mainstay companies in Haven, Haven Steel, and they are looking at the potential for an expansion. In order to give them the confidence that in order to invest in Haven and some things they want to do to expand their facility, they began exploring industrial revenue bonds as well. They're working with bond attorney Gilmore and Bell, and right now I think they're looking at about a $3 million potential expansion, and along with that, about $5 million of new potential equipment to help them really continue to just grow."
Haven Steel wants to see the people that have committed to that community be able to stay there.
"They've got a great footprint in Haven," Teufel said. "They are scheduled to have the city council in Haven look at that project at their meeting on June 3rd. It involves a cost benefit analysis of weighing that investment, as well as some new jobs. I believe there's about 30 jobs forecasted with that project. It's a nice size expansion. Recently, with the closure of the Restonic facility, there were some jobs lost in Haven. There's really been an effort on Haven companies to look at, how can they re-employ people? How can they grow? I really applaud the ownership and the management at Haven Steel for really looking at doubling down their investment."
Haven Steel announced in December an intent to expand its operations in McKenzie, Tennessee, as well.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.