< PreviousSTATISTICAL PROFILE Kansas by the Numbers Source: Conway Data Analytics 18 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD Projects By TypeProjects By Sector 44 % MFG. 25 % MACH. 15 % CHEM. 29 % DW Employment Statistics Type Projects Manufacturing 30 Distribution (Warehouse) 20 Office 12 Headquarters 4 Research & Development 2 Sector Projects Machinery, Equip. & Const. 15 Chemicals & Plastics 9 Food & Beverage 8 IT & Comm. 4 Business & Financial Services 4 Transport & Logistics 3 Aerospace 3 Paper, Printing & Packaging 3 Electronics 3 Other 7 382,603 Hispanic or Latino (of any race) $68,925 Median Household Income 35.6% Bachelor's Degree or Higher 62.5% Employment Rate 1,275,689 Total Housing Units 8.6% Without Health Care Coverage 1,175,294 Total Households 75,057 Total Employer EstablishmentsKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 19 Demographic Overview Kansas vs. USA 2.9M Population 36.7 Median Age 21% Gen-Z 20% Millenial 181,453 Veterans 2.52 Persons per Household 6.4% 5.4% 4.4% 5.0% 4.3% FDI Jobs as a % of Total EmploymentFDI Jobs as a % of Total Employment U.S. AverageKansas 7.0% 6.5% 6.0% 5.5% 5.0% 4.5% 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Kansas now beats the national average in the number of jobs supported by international investment Kansas vs. Its Neighbors Kansas Jobs Globally Connected Among all international employers, those from Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom support the largest number of jobs in Kansas. Quality Jobs 76,100 workers in Kansas are employed as a result of international investment. Many Employers Nearly 590 international employers have operations in Kansas. Manufacturing 27,900 workers in Kansas — 37% of all FDI jobs in the state — are in the manufacturing sector.A Heartland Haven for Growth how me a place in the geographic center of the country with as much spunk and grit as Russell, Kansas, and I will show you an economic powerhouse in the making. No one understands this better than Andrea Krauss, controller for John O. Farmer Inc., one of the top oil producers in the state of Kansas with over 200 leases and 350 wells. Krauss says Farmer has been thriving in Central Kansas longer than most Americans have been alive. Founded by John O. Farmer in 1946 in salt-of-the-earth Russell, the company displays the same tenacity its founder did when he left home and hitchhiked to Missouri to attend college with only 50 dollars in his pocket. Eight decades later, the company that bears his name is the reason Russell blossomed into a regional center of commerce and quality-of-life haven for thousands of workers and their families. “I have been here for 20 years, and only one person has left JOF in that time,” says Krauss. “People come here to work and live because of the friendliness and welcoming nature of the people. The second biggest reason is the value you receive for the money spent. Russell has a very reasonable cost of living. Real estate prices are very affordable; and people can live here on a modest income.” A city of 4,400 residents in a county of 6,700, Russell is the county seat and is at the intersection of Interstate 70 and Highway 281, about 240 miles west of Kansas City and 360 miles east of Denver. Oil and agriculture are its biggest industries. One of its largest employers is Purefield Industries, which is planning a $300 million expansion to increase wheat protein production. The firm is already the biggest producer of wheat protein in the country. How Russell turns pluck and small-town charm into business opportunity. by RON STARNER S 20 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD INVESTMENT PROFILE RUSSELL, KANSAS Photos courtesy of City of Russell Photo by Nichole DinkelKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 21 This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of the City of Russell. For more in- formation, contact City Manager Jon Quinday at 785-483-6311 or quinday@russellcity.org. “Being on I-70 is the big benefit for businesses here,” says Krauss. “You can be at either end of the state in less than three hours. Our proximity to other communities is a huge benefit. You can get to Salina in 55 minutes and to Hays in 25.” With more than 29,000 trucks annually entering and leaving the city’s industrial park, Russell is a logistics magnet. City Manager Jon Quinday says other business benefits include the fact that Russell is a public power community with 41 megawatts of accredited capacity including wind and hydroelectric power. The town is adding another 15 megawatts over the next few years. “The community is invested in future growth with the recent expansion of its wastewater system, rehabilitation of both water treatment facilities, securing a 50- year sustainable water supply, a new tie into the regional transmission grid and a complete rebuild of its electric distribution system in the next few years,” says Quinday. Deputy City Manager Kayla Schneider adds that the local industrial park has shovel-ready sites available for other end-users right now. “Our goal is to attract more logistics users to the community,” she notes. Quality of life also serves as a magnet, locals say. From Wilson State Park and the Wilson Wildlife Area to the popular Switchgrass Trail for mountain bikers, Russell draws outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country. “Lake Wilson is a huge tourist attraction,” says Krauss. “The Switchgrass Trail is ranked as one of the 10 best mountain bike trails in the U.S. And we are reinvesting in our downtown. We’re working on a development project to build loft-style apartments for young professionals. It will give an urban sense of living in a small, walkable downtown by the end of 2024. We’re also putting in a maker space. It will offer large-format equipment, a commercial kitchen and a place where entrepreneurs can fabricate their inventions and try out their ideas.” Schneider says folks also need to know that “Russell is a place where people genuinely care for each other, look out for each other’s kids and take pride in where they live. The quality of life you can enjoy in Russell is unmatched in the Midwest,” she says. If that’s not enough, consider the grit. In early 2023, civic leaders rallied the town to send calls, emails and letters to Buc-ee’s in an appeal to bring one of the chain’s beloved stores to town. In two weeks, over 500 people in the community contacted the Texas-based retail giant. Though the friendly beaver eventually said no, he reported back that he was duly impressed with the determination of the people of Russell — a feat that will be remembered the next time they recruit a national brand. As Schneider likes to say, “Even though we are small, we are mighty.” “ People come here to work and live because of the friendliness and welcoming nature of the people. The second biggest reason is the value you receive for the money spent. ” — Andrea Krauss, Controller, John O. Farmer Inc.22 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD ne of the fastest growing franchises in the U.S. wouldn’t be where it is today without its humble beginnings in Kansas. Founded in 2002, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers originally opened its doors as a family-owned burger joint based in Wichita, with many of the menu’s classics based off meals co-founder and World War II veteran Fredrick “Freddy” L. Simon served his family. The restaurant’s “All-American” style and post-war atmosphere attracted a large fan base instantaneously, so much so that the company was able to open it’s fi rst franchise in Hutchinson in 2004. Some 22 years later, O by LINDSAY LOPP Wichita-based Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers set to reach 800 locations by 2026. From Burger Joint to National Franchise HEADQUARTERS Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers boasts 500 locations in 36 states across America. Photo: Getty ImagesKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 23 Freddy’s is one of America’s leading fast-food chains, with hundreds of locations across 36 states. In October 2023, Freddy’s celebrated the grand opening of its 500th location. “Reaching 500 locations was made possible first and foremost through the commitment of our passionate franchise partners, which we believe are the best group of franchisees in the country,” said Freddy’s President and CEO Chris Dull. “Over the years we have had thousands of devoted team members that have contributed greatly to Freddy’s success, and we have enjoyed the support of our valued guests who have become part of the Freddy’s family.” This milestone is soon to be surpassed, as the franchise anticipates adding more than 60 new locations across the country, as well as over 70 additional development commitments that are currently in the pipeline. With this widespread growth, Freddy’s aims to reach its goal of operating 800 sites by 2026. And its hometown headquarters is set to play a major role in making sure this massive expansion runs smoothly. In August, the company announced that it was establishing a 23,000-sq.-ft. national training and innovation center for all Freddy’s restaurants throughout the United States and Canada. Located at the Cypress Business Center in northeast Wichita, this new facility will be the company’s first offsite training facility. In the announcement, Dull stated that the site will feature “cutting-edge equipment and technology, dedicated classrooms and collaboration spaces with a simulated Freddy’s restaurant for expanded innovation capabilities and hands-on training.” Alongside this exciting news, the company also revealed that it was expanding its executive offices in Fort Worth, Texas, but has no plans for its headquarters to leave Kansas. “When looking at the culture of Freddy’s, so much of what makes Freddy’s special, and the brand that it is, has to do with Wichita,” Dull told Wichita Business Journal. “And so, as we thought about where we wanted to put our training and innovation center, it was an easy decision for us to decide to stay, because it’s really what makes us special and unique.” “Without the city of Wichita behind it in its early days, we don’t think we would have the brand that we have, so we’re excited to continue supporting the Wichita market,” he added. “ When looking at the culture of Freddy’s, so much of what makes Freddy’s special, and the brand that it is, has to do with Wichita. ” — Chris Dull, President & CEO, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Companies Headquartered in Kansas COMPANY CITY AMC Theatres Leawood Black & Veatch Overland Park Dairy Farmers America Kansas City Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Wichita Garmin Olathe Hill’s Pet Nutrition Overland Park Hostess Brands Lenexa Koch Industries Wichita PBI-Gordon Shawnee Spirit AeroSystems WichitaCERTIFIED SITE DEVELOPMENT 24 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD A Kansas Certifi ed Site designation makes gaining occupancy and achieving speed-to-market a whole lot easier and faster. Here’s how it works. When you are in the market for a developable site, choosing a Kansas Certifi ed Site takes all the guesswork out of the equation. By selecting a shovel-ready, certifi ed site, the buyer knows that all key questions about the property have already been answered. These include questions about property ownership, environmental and cultural status, property access and community information, and details on all utilities. Kansas currently has an inventory of 12 certifi ed sites, with more on the way. These shovel-ready sites are in places like Independence, Wichita, Iola, Liberal, Dodge City and other business-friendly communities. “It showcases our ability to partner with the private sector. We have two partner programs that we work with: Sunfl ower Electric and BNSF. They have different tools and requirements,” says Corrie Ann Campbell, program manager for certifi ed sites at the Kansas Department of Commerce. “Sites can receive dual certifi cation. The environment in Kansas is to work together for the good of us all. The application process has fi ve components. It is an extensive process. We focus on land that is at least 10 acres in size.” Paola Industrial Park South, at 13.63 acres, is the smallest parcel. The largest is New Century Finding a certifi ed, shovel-ready tract in the Sunfl ower State has never been easier. Paola Industrial Park North and South are both certifi ed sites. Combined, they have about 30 developable acres. Courtesy of Kansas Department of Commerce by RON STARNER Ready to Build? KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 25 AirCenter East, near Kansas City, at 525 acres. Most of the other tracts range from 80 to 250 acres. “Certifi cation does not guarantee that the property owner’s site is going to be quickly purchased and developed. What we do intend is to get you to a point where your site can be developed and then shorten that time,” says Campbell. “Our 11 sites are all over Kansas. Some of our sites are small. Our largest site is the 525-acre New Century AirCenter East, offered by the Southwest Johnson County EDC. We also have a 244-acre site in Dodge City, and another 329-acre site is close to certifi cation.” Matching funds are available to help smaller and rural communities go through the process of applying for site certifi cation, Campbell notes. “Property owners must partner with their local community. The local EDO is the actual applicant. It is helpful to have one person spearhead it. They can then bring in multiple partners. The 101-acre Paddock Industrial Park site in Wichita is our best example. It is a privately owned site. They worked with the local EDO to go through the application process.” For more information on Kansas Certifi ed Sites, go to www. kansascommerce.gov or scan the QR code on this page. “ It showcases our ability to partner with the private sector. We have two partner programs that we work with: Sunfl ower Electric and BNSF. ” — Corrie Ann Campbell, Program Manager for Certifi ed Sites, Kansas Department of Commerce 26 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD by ALEXIS ELMORE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Train With Us, Stay With UsKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 27 A great example of this focus can be seen in the Kansas Training and Retention Aligned with Industry Need (KTRAIN) program. Rebranded from the Kansas Workforce Aligned with Industry Demand program, KTRAIN is designed to be a short- term, customizable training programs designed to attract and develop vital talent, while bringing together education and industry. “Here in Kansas our little secret, or the secret sauce as I call it, is our community and technical college system,” says Kansas Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Mike Beene. “They’ve been very adaptive to industry needs and have been instrumental in some of our recruitment projects as they align training with new industry. They’re great partners in our economic development world and are obviously great partners within our workforce world.” The rebranding was based on industry feedback that aimed to streamline the application and overall training process for employers. In other words, allowing employers to design training programs that fit to their tight timelines. Beene says a fitting instance of this need was seen in Kansas City, where a consortium of manufacturers needed industrial maintenance technicians but did not have the time to wait on a one- to two-year program. Kansas City Kansas Community College was able to work with these employers to create a training program that would produce talent ready to hit the ground running. Industries seeking the most support are within manufacturing and commercial truck driving and are connecting to local institutions to build new programs. The Kansas Department of Commerce works with employers to reimburse training costs up to $2,000 per employee. In addition, students going through a program are employed by the respective company, meaning that they are receiving wages for the entire duration. When considering moving to or expanding within Kansas there are a variety of workforce development services that will help your company find the ideal candidate to fill an open role. eliberate and intentional are two words that hold significant weight when it comes to workforce development in Kansas. It’s an all hands-on-deck initiative in the state — bridging the gap between industry needs and available training opportunities — that is constantly evolving in line with the demand and growth experienced by Kansas businesses. D Kansas City Kansas Community College is a key partner in helping companies achieve workforce development goals. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeNext >