A D V A N C E D
M A N U F A C T U R I N G
Manufacturing
MOMENTUM
A
Manufacturing employs 11% of the Kansas workforce. Photo: Gett y Images
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“We thought we had reached a point where s the self-proclaimed “Air Capital it wasn’t going to happen,” says Neodesha of the World,” Wichita, Kansas Community Development Director Jeri needs no introduction to the world Hammerschmidt. of advanced manufacturing. Yet, That it did happen is a testament to when it comes to prowess at making things teamwork and to a measure of foresight on — and making them well — Wichita shares the part of the Kansas State legislature. One the stage with cities and towns across Kansas. of Sicut’s imperatives was a Aided by business-friendly rail spur to connect its site in policies at the state level by G A R Y D A U G H T E R S Neodesha to the existing South and a solid, Midwestern Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad line. The city, workforce, such lesser-known burghs with however, couldn’t afford to build it on its own. names like Humboldt, Dodge City, Chanute, The Kansas Department of Transportation Bonner Springs, Hugoton, Emporia and (KDOT), in Hammerschmidt’s telling, “came to Montgomery have recently accumulated major our rescue.” manufacturing investments. In collaboration with the Kansas Department The small town of Neodesha offers another of Commerce and the Watco Companies, a example. Nestled near the state’s extreme railroad enterprise based in nearby Pittsburg, southeastern corner, Neodesha — population Hammerschmidt turned to KDOT and its 2,083 — scored a major win in May 2021, Economic Development Program, a component when London-based Sicut Enterprises of the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation announced plans to establish it as its North Program, or IKE. American hub for recycling composite plastic IKE was approved with strong bipartisan railroad ties. The selection process did not support by the 2020 Kansas Legislature and lack drama.
KANSAS: TO THE STARS
