MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Reno County Commission voted Wednesday to approve a job incentive request from Superior Boiler Works following a second review of the proposal.
Commissioners previously denied authorization of a letter of intent for the incentive at an earlier meeting, but the item was brought back to the agenda after commissioners requested another look at the request.
The company is seeking incentives under the county’s job incentive policy as it plans to create up to 100 new jobs. Under the program, businesses that create positions paying more than $21 per hour may qualify for an incentive of $1,500 per job.
County staff noted that funds are already budgeted within the county’s economic development incentive line item for projects like this.
The letter of intent allows the county and company to begin working on a formal development agreement, which will be brought back to commissioners for final approval at a future meeting.
Commissioners also discussed the need to review and potentially update the county’s job incentive program, noting the policy has been adjusted before and may need additional revisions to reflect current workforce and economic conditions.
During public comment, Hutchinson resident Don Rogers spoke in support of the request, noting Superior Boiler’s long history in the community and its role as a neighbor near the airport.
“We spend a lot of time trying to attract businesses we don’t know a lot about,” Rogers said. “Superior has been here for decades and has expanded, cleaned up the area and been a good neighbor.”
Rogers also pointed to the company’s community involvement, including a recent project in which the company helped replace a boiler at the historic Fox Theatre.
Superior Boiler President and CEO Don Whitman also addressed the commission, thanking members for reconsidering the proposal and highlighting the company’s hiring efforts.
Whitman said the company recently held a job fair and hired 39 local employees with an average starting wage of about $24 per hour. He also noted the company provides full insurance benefits for employees and their families.
“Employees are important to us,” Whitman said. “It’s important for us to grow this business and make Hutch proud of us.”
Commissioners debated the role of incentives, with some members expressing concerns about providing taxpayer dollars to private businesses, especially when some county employees earn less than the wages required for the incentive program.
Others said maintaining competitive incentives is important to help retain and expand local employers and prevent businesses from relocating to other communities.
Ultimately, the commission approved the incentive through a motion that limits the use of multiple incentives for a single job position, ensuring that one job cannot qualify for more than one incentive.
The motion passed on a 4–1 vote.
Commissioners also directed county administration to review the current job incentive policy and bring back potential updates for consideration at a future meeting.