By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Chamber CEO Debra Teufel joined several economic development professionals from across Kansas in urging the legislature to pass the APEX bill to give another development competitiveness tool to the state.
“The APEX bill could help Kansas land the largest private sector investment in our state’s history. We need this tool for Kansas to be competitive. We cannot miss out on this historic opportunity. I urge you to pass the APEX bill now, to send a message to young Kansans and the industry that Kansas is open for business for the future.”
Teufel doesn't know what the project is, but speaking generally, such processes are very secretive because you don't want a brand to make you think you should or shouldn't make an investment.
"You really have to look at it as, is this a good economic basis for our state," Teufel said. "You have to use the data and not let the company name drive the project. I think that's what they are doing right now, is saying, this project that is looking at Kansas is, I think, approximately a $4 billion investment. Kansas has, reportedly, had about 11 projects like this over the last few years that we have not been able to compete for, because of just some of the particulars about some of the incentive programs in our state."
This project is likely in northeast Kansas, but details are not being released at this point.