Kansas Department of Commerce Releases Economic Development Statistics for 2018
Topeka, Kan. – Kansas has had much to celebrate in the area of economic development during 2018, according to statistics released today from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 2018 has been an exceptional year for the Kansas economy, with over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment added to the state’s economy.
The Department of Commerce reports it participated in 138 successful economic development projects across the state during 2018, yielding 11,548 new jobs and 9,116 retained jobs. The total capital investment on these projects was $1.7 billion and $1.17 billion in payroll.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with the economy during my time in office,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year.”
Of the 138 successful projects in 2018, the following are among the largest:
o GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, with a $9,800,456 capital investment and 500 new jobs.
o Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing facility in Abilene, with a $10,841,000 capital investment and 200 new jobs.
o Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is expanding its pharmaceutical plant in McPherson with a $156,000,000 capital investment and 325 jobs added.
o New Directions Behavioral Health announced it will move its headquarters to the Sprint campus in Overland Park with a $15,500,000 capital investment and 566 jobs added.
o Orizon Aerostructures, LLC announced it would relocate a manufacturing operation to Olathe, with a $127,285,001 capital investment and 400 new jobs.
o Palmer Manufacturing & Tank, Inc. announced a $16,642,000 capital investment in its Garden City plant, adding 201 jobs.
o Shamrock Trading Corporation will build an office tower in Overland Park with a $248,000,000 capital investment and the company will add 1,500 jobs.
o Spirit Aerosystems announced another major expansion, with plans for adding 1,400 new jobs.
“This has been an extraordinary year for economic development in Kansas,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The businesses that have made the wise choice to open or expand in the state of Kansas are making substantial contributions to the health of our economy and overall quality of life.”