MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Debra Teufel the president of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce was in to talk about 2024.
“Yes, economic development last year, I feel like was a real pivotal turning point for the community, and it a lot of work goes in behind the scenes before you can turn projects into wins, but some terrific expansions announced from some of our local companies.” said Teufel.
Teufel talked about the expansions and new projects that are coming to Reno County
“Last year, APAC, of course, announced that they're going to be building a new headquarters building here, and so we're really anticipating the breaking ground of that very soon.”
Teufel continued, “We worked with Gunbros on an expansion that is going to happen out off of Airport Road in our industrial area, and that's going to be a neat just addition, as you come into town on Airport Road to see that gun range. And I'd never realized what a what a real tourism draw that could be to have that in our community. So that's that's going to be exciting.”
Some of the projects were out in the county. “Haven Steel embarked on an expansion down in Haven, and you know, so those are some of the kind of, the bread and butter, kind of local expansion.”
Teufel touched on a project that the chamber worked with Reno County on, “Superior Boiler also was adding jobs last year, and we worked with the county on a new relocation pilot program for them.”
Some other highlights from 2024 were
• Collins Bus added 80 new jobs
• Tyson was hiring
• Progress of the new Hilton Garden Inn
• Announcement of the new YMCA to be built
• Evergy’s propane powered power plant
You can hear the interview in its entirety at this link.