< Previous28 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD “It’s a program that will continue to grow,” says Beene. “It is a program that aligns with industry training needs and helps to retain their employees, while building capacity within our community and technical college system to train for specific skills.” FINDING THE RIGHT ROLE Talent retention remains top of mind in Kansas. This means that opportunities must exist within reach at any given moment for its workforce, and the ability to have access to hands-on experience with companies has proved to be valuable in doing so. In 2022, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship within the Kansas Department of Commerce in signing Executive Order #22-07. In doing so, the state moved to modernize its approach to apprenticeship programs for both traditional and non-traditional occupations. To date, the Office of Registered Apprenticeship has supported over 4,000 apprentices in 172 occupations, supporting a 92% employment retention rate at an average starting salary of $75,000. Governor Kelly announced over $528,000 in registered apprenticeship funding in September 2023, distributed to eight entities in the state. Upon receiving 16 applications that requested a total of $3.3 million in funding, eight of those received up to $100,000 for various projects. The awardees included Dodge City Economic Development Council ($45,000); Greater Kansas City Laborers Training ($36,000); Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust ($29,956); Kansas Farm Bureau ($90,000); Kansas State Council of SHRM ($62,160); Plumber and Pipefitters Training of Kansas ($100,000); Topeka Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee ($66,885) and Wichita Electrical Industry Training Fund ($98,476). While most of the recipients will use funding for business outreach, others will use it to support equipment and personnel costs. As new apprenticeship opportunities arise, the Office of Registered Apprenticeship is prepared to help workers and employers secure the right program that fits their needs. From on-site training, mentorship and technical instruction offerings, there is an avenue to excel in many industries throughout the state. NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES In 2023, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced $30 million in funding to support its Aviation Learning Opportunities & Funding Training (ALOFT) and Delivering Residents and Workforce (DRAW) grant programs. Made possible through the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Executive Committee, these programs target economically significant sectors like aviation, healthcare, education and technology in Kansas. These workforce programs touch the entire state, as it prepares the workforce to be equipped to handle industry needs. Over the next two years, program awardees must use all funding to build targeted training programs. ALOFT was provided with “ It’s a program that will continue to grow. It’s a program that aligns with industry training needs and helps to retain their employees, while building capacity within our community and technical college system to train for specific skills. ” — Mike Beene, Assistant Secretary, Kansas Department of CommerceKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 29 the majority of grant funding for aviation and aerospace manufacturers, supply chain providers and local airports to create initiatives for training and workforce development. In June 2023, funds totaling $20 million were distributed to entities with three Kansas cities: Wichita, Olathe and Salina. Wichita awardees saw the most funding at over $12.4 million, specifically to Learjet Inc., Metal Finishing Company, Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc., Textron Aviation Inc. and Wichita Airport Authority. With this grant, awardees may use the funding to aid in construction costs for on-site training facilities, vendor training for equipment, training salaries and marketing to boost youth interest in aviation and aerospace. Meanwhile, the DRAW program spans a broader array of high-demand industries in the state. Healthcare providers, educational centers and institutions, technology-based companies and employers focused on training those with disabilities were among the recipients of the $10 million in grant funding. “As Kansas continues to attract transformative economic development projects,”said Kansas Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, “it is vital our state’s talent pipeline receives the right training to build out the skillsets needed to enjoy successful careers in these targeted sectors. The DRAW program is laser- focused on the state’s most critical positions.” Out of 50 applicants for DRAW funding, 26 were awarded. The highest amount of funding granted was $740,000, which was landed by each of the following: AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Dodge City Community College, Envision Foundation, Independence Community College, National Logistics Training Center, Paragon Energy Solutions and TECHS Inc. entities that each serve a different city throughout Kansas. With a variety of programs now in place in Kansas, both employees and employers have access to training opportunities around every corner. As the state continues to invest in both its workforce and businesses, there is no better time to connect the two in the Sunflower State. 30 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD INVESTMENT PROFILE MCPHERSON, KANSAS McPherson Powers Profitability Manufacturers can produce more for less in Central Kansas. W hen it comes to powering success, anticipating the future needs of your customers is a key opportunity to establish a competitive edge. This approach has enabled the McPherson Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to remain a top asset to companies looking to establish roots in Kansas. So much so that the American Public Power Association awarded the McPherson BPU a “Certificate of Excellence in Reliability” in 2022. “Our electrical rates are our competitive advantage,” says McPherson BPU General Manager Josh Bedel. “The McPherson BPU is the top reason companies choose McPherson for relocation and expansion.” Across three metrics — System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) and Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) — McPherson BPU performed well above regional and national averages. In terms of SAIDI, the average length of time a BPU customer’s power was interrupted was only 8.2 minutes, compared to a regional average of 98.7 minutes and a national average of 115.7 minutes. “The reliable electricity BPU provides to Pfizer is essential in delivering lifesaving medications to our patients around the world. Once started, most all of our processes must finish without any interruption,” says Pfizer Engineering Operations Senior Manager Kyle Ratzlaff. “With the confidence we have in BPU, we are rarely concerned for our business continuity. For example, in February 2021, much of the area experienced interruptions to their utility services due to the abnormally low temperatures. BPU worked with Pfizer and there was not even a momentary interruption in service.” For the board, this recognition reinforces the peace of mind the company can offer customers while supporting substantial cost savings. As of 2023, the BPU supports 8,944 total electric customers, 1,538 of which represent commercial and industrial customers. For industrial users, electric rates fall 35% lower than the national average, saving companies millions per year at an average of five cents per kilowatt-hour. Staying at the top is no simple task. But with prime industrial space readily available, proximity to an extensive talent pool and utility rates worth writing home about, McPherson is prepared to help companies reach new levels. by ALEXIS ELMORE alexis.elmore@siteselection.com Photo courtesy of MickFly AerialKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 31 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! The county’s central location and positioning along Interstate 135 in Kansas was a powerful pull for manufacturers such as CertainTeed (Saint-Gobain), Johns Manville (Berkshire Hathaway), Westlake Pipe & Fittings, Pfizer and Viega during their site selection processes. Plastics, energy, equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and data centers are key industries for the region and for good reason. Operations for these industries can be energy- intensive as these companies seek to meet rising production demands. That’s a sizeable cost consideration when setting up shop in many U.S. states, so the 35% lower rates get noticed. In addition to overall savings, for companies seeking renewable energy sources about 40% of the BPU’s energy supply comes from wind produced in the state and provided through partnership with Evergy. “In recent years, the state of Kansas has had some major economic development wins,” says McPherson Industrial Development Company Executive Director, Kasi Morales. “Kansas now shows how it can be a global economic player and overcome the negative ‘it’s just a flyover state’ rhetoric. This has significantly increased the number of mega projects considering Kansas. If these projects are part of an electric-intensive industry looking to be out of a major metropolitan area, McPherson will win every time.” The McPherson Industrial Development Company currently has more than 75 acres of prime industrial sites located in the county. Paired with access to talent across 13 community colleges and four universities within 60 miles, it’s not hard to understand why leading manufacturers have chosen to invest and expand their presence in the middle of America’s breadbasket. FORWARD THINKING Interruption of any kind is a challenge McPherson BPU intends to … well … interrupt. In June 2023, the McPherson BPU broke ground on a new $33 million water treatment plant. McPherson Mayor Thomas Brown says it’s a project the organization pursued “by not only thinking about what is good for McPherson today but also what McPherson will need tomorrow.” Known as the South Well Field Project, this infrastructure aims to address declines associated with the Equus Beds Aquifer, which has long served as the county’s water source. “We take this to heart. It is the reason McPherson Board of Public Utilities was created,” says McPherson Industrial Development Company Director Kasi Morales. “We have continued on with that trend in making significant infrastructure upgrades over our 54 years of existence.” Pfizer’s Kyle Ratzlaff notes that “water is an essential component in Pfizer’s manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.” This investment serves as reminder to the company that BPU continues to embark on utility infrastructure upgrades with a goal of increasing its reliability. Growth begets growth. As restrictions put in place by the state’s Division of Water Resources prevented additional water rights development due to impending declines, McPherson BPU and local stakeholders knew they needed to invest in a long-term solution. By 2024, years of planning will come to fruition as the county will introduce three new public water supply wells, about 20 miles of new water transmission piping and the water treatment facility. “As finite resources become more finite, we have access to a new water supply with a superior recharge rate that should help us not only sustain what we have, but to grow at least over the next 50 years,” says Morales. Industrial Average (Cent per kWh) McPherson BPU 5.3 West South Central 6.4 East South Central 6.9 South Atlantic 7.6 West North Central 7.7 Mountain 7.8 East North Central 8.1 Middle Atlantic 8.1 Pacific Contiguous 12.5 New England 15.7 Source: EIA Table 5.6B Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers by End-Use Sector Industrial. July 2023 YTD This Investment Profile was prepared under the auspices of the McPherson Industrial Development Company. For more information, contact Kasi Morales at kasim@mcphersonpower.com or 620-245-2521. On the web, go to www.mcphersonindustry.com. “ Our current manufacturers all benefit from low electrical and other utility expenses. This is the major reason McPherson has grown into an advanced manufacturing location. ” —McPherson BPU General Manager Josh Bedel32 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD o build and retain skilled talent, there must be ample support behind the scenes, guiding every step of the way to nurture a reliable talent pool. This train of thought has helped the State of Kansas and its regional organizations formulate unique and targeted programs that span every region and are fit for any age, occupation or skill level. Many of these programs target the state’s key industries, such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, animal health and renewable energy production. For these industries to succeed, they are dependent on a skilled, reliable workforce. Kansas has a history of recruiting top global companies within those industries. That fact in itself provides a pull for talent to consider staying or moving into the state. Leading companies such as Hill’s Pet Nutrition, MilliporeSigma, Michelin and Orizon Aerostructures invested nearly a billion dollars ($999.3 million combined) in 2023 alone to expand in the state, introducing hundreds of new, in-demand jobs. The Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research’s “2024 Kansas Employment Forecast” projected the state would add 25,000 jobs by the end of 2023, a growth rate of 1.8% from 2022. by ALEXIS ELMORE T Talent, Consider Your Resources TALENT RECRUITMENTKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 33 “ It’s clear that providing more Kansans the opportunity to get on-the-job training is a win-win for employers and for our workforce. ” — Governor Laura Kelly at a National Apprenticeship Week event in November 2023 “The labor market remains a significant pillar of Kansas’s economic strength,” the report states. “With the unemployment rate expected to hover around 3.1% in 2024 and 2025, the state continues to offer a robust labor environment.” Much of the anticipated growth comes from recent investments secured by Kansas. The production industry in its entirety will grow by nearly 1%, specifically in durables manufacturing, which is due to increase by 4.1% in line with semiconductor and EV battery projects currently in the midst of development. To fill these anticipated roles, the state’s leadership, local organizations, businesses and institutions are working together to showcase the career possibilities available to draw in out-of-state talent and keep local workforces intact. WE’VE GOT OPTIONS Access to resources is typically the largest hurdle faced by talent around the nation. Kansas plans on leaving no stone unturned. Whatever resources talent is looking for, from open roles and on-the-job training to reskilling to entrepreneurial support, aid is just around the corner. Over the past year, a significant focus for the state has been on scaling registered apprenticeships. The establishment of the Office of Registered Apprenticeship within the Kansas Department of Commerce in September 2022 was a vital tool for the future of workforce development to Governor Laura Kelly. Today, there has been a 40% increase in residents utilizing this direct training route. In connecting talent directly to companies, guesswork is diminished for both parties, getting on-site training done faster and securing full-time employment opportunities. “Kansas is all in on Registered Apprenticeships,” said Governor Kelly at a National Apprenticeship Week event in November 2023. “A year after I created the Office of Registered Apprenticeship, it’s clear that providing more Kansans the opportunity to get on-the- job training is a win-win for employers and for our workforce. We will continue to invest in apprenticeships, including for teachers and for those wanting to enter the skilled trades, so that more people have the skills necessary to get a job and contribute to our economy.” Aside from apprenticeships, the state offers a number of workforce programs that cater to specific obstacles talent might be facing in terms of polishing their skills or landing a high-quality, high- paying role. Disabilities should not deter one from the right to gain 34 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD vital resources and achieve self-sufficiency. Kansas offers programs like Ticket To Work, which provides support for career development at no cost for talent aged 18 to 24. RETAINWORKS is another no-cost program for those facing illness, injury or health problems that have kept them from working. This program offers support and training opportunities that aid in getting the employee back to work. In addition, Kansas has deployed its KANSASWORKS Workforce Centers around the state with doors open to its workforce and employers. For those seeking job opportunities, when visiting a Workforce Center, talent can work one-on-one with staff to build professional skills like interviewing techniques or creating a resume to begin applying for open roles. Building upon basic needs, these locations regularly host job fairs, workshops and skills training programs that cement a pathway for talent to network with local employers. At the end of the day, matching employers to the perfect candidate is the goal. Working alongside jobseekers throughout the entire process ensures that these candidates meet the critical needs of the state’s industries and feel confident in their capabilities once the job begins. KANSASWORKS currently shows over 51,000 openings on its online database; from entry-level to management, a new career is within reach at any time. FOR THE YOUTH From primary school to college graduation, Kansas leadership wants students to know about the abundant career opportunities that can be found while preparing to enter the workforce. Within the state’s key industries, many employers are looking to recruit talent with a background in STEM. Kansas institutions are creating STEM programs in and out of the classroom to accommodate the growing demand. A national goal to boost interest and participation in this field has led to an influx of federal support from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which Kansas plans to use through the Kansas State University College of Education’s Rural Education Center. In collaboration with the DoD, the university created Project LEAPES. The program stands for Learning, Exploration and Application for Prospective Engineering Students. It uses a nearly $2.7 million grant to reach students from seventh to 12th grade to mentor and promote obtaining a degree in STEM. The hope is that by the end of 2023, 500 middle and high school students and 53 educators will be impacted by this program. These programs aim to reach rural students and bring awareness to careers in computer science, aerospace, robotics and AI, curriculum not typically offered at every school in the state. Middle and high school students can participate in virtual camps or in-person workshops that provide different activities for students to choose and explore whatever piques their interest. The ability to get a feel for what working in any of these industries is like allows these students to prepare better for what career path to pursue upon graduation, in addition to which state university or college can best support that decision. The state houses six state universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges, many of which are actively collaborating with local industry to keep curriculum up-to-date based on industry needs. KANSAS WORKS currently shows over 51,000 openings on its online database, from entry-level to management.Kansas State University remains a top choice for many Kansans, and for good reason. Aside from working on programs for middle to high school students, the university is a go-to for local industry to collaborate with students. “Through the Technology Development Institute, innovators and small manufacturers get access to leading-edge prototyping and manufacturing technologies, and students get hands-on experience with disruptive ideas and technologies,” says Kansas State University Technology Development Institute Director Jeffery Tucker. Of the three campuses the university has in the state, its main Manhattan campus holds the Technology Development Institute. Here, students close textbooks and are able to help companies and entrepreneurs formulate ideas and work to bring them to life. These experiences help students not only network themselves but also build essential skills they can apply immediately. “Our students are employed as paid interns and work directly with our full-time engineering staff on development projects,” says Tucker. “We have had several students that have gone on to work for the companies whose projects they worked on while they were here.” Talented individuals want to be where they can shine. Workforce tools and resources in Kansas are made to be easy to find and connect with, regardless of age or current employment status. With thousands of jobs available now and thousands more expected to hit, now is the best time to find that dream role. ure Imagination Studios’ portfolio of projects features many of Hollywood’s most recognizable names: DreamWorks, Disney, FOX, The LEGO Group, Marvel Entertainment, Warner Bros. and Netfl ix, to name a few. Yet the award-winning independent studio’s most recent undertaking goes outside its usual pursuits. “We are establishing the world’s fi rst-of-its-kind spatial computing studio and training facility. It is an innovation hub at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution,” said Pure Imagination Founder Joshua Wexler in a press release. The studio has partnered with the State of Kansas, Kansas State University Salina and the Salina Airport Authority for this project, which will be located on the university’s campus. Backed by a $41 million investment — the largest ever allocated in K-State Salina’s infrastructure — the upcoming facility, dubbed the Kansas Advanced Immersive Research for Emerging Systems (K-AIRES), will span 58,000 sq. ft. and feature advanced equipment and immersive technologies for education and research. Pure Imagination and its partners aim to transform the learning experience for various industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, entertainment and defense. This project is set to create 100 new jobs in the area and act as a catalyst for further job creation, aiming to entice corporations seeking the pipeline of skilled workers generated by this resource. “Our mission is to ignite visionary storytellers spanning diverse sectors. Together, we aspire to reshape the narrative of human progress, leaving an indelible legacy of positive change. This transformative technology is set to revolutionize every facet of industry, from P HIGHER EDUCATION 36 KANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD by LINDSAY LOPP Million-dollar investments are a reoccurring theme in Kansas’ higher education system. Kansas Universities Capture Investors’ Attention The University of Kansas’ main campus in Lawrence. Photo courtesy of University of KansasKANSAS: THE NEW GOLD STANDARD 37 education and storytelling to public safety,” said Wexler. “The choice to anchor the studio at K-State Salina stems from the institution’s thriving ecosystem and the state’s resolute commitment to challenging the status quo. This partnership stands as an investment in the local community and economy with the potential to propel Kansas to the forefront of the spatial computing industry.” INNOVATIONS THAT MAKE AN IMPACT This level of interest from investors isn’t new to Kansas’ higher education system. While most know the University of Kansas for its basketball prowess, its researchers boast an equally impressive resume of wins. With nearly $300 million in research expenditures, KU is at the forefront of technological innovation, inciting advancements in a variety of industries. In April, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office awarded KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) a $1.3 million grant. In collaboration with the Idaho National Laboratory and First Solar Inc., KU researchers will utilize this funding to develop new processes to remove the outer layers of solar panels once they no longer work. The system created will be able to divide out the valuable recyclable materials using methods that maximize the quantity and quality of recovered materials. “Efficient recycling of solar panels will be essential as the industry grows, to ensure the availability of critical materials, minimize waste and limit costs,” said Bala Subramaniam, CEBC director and KU’s Dan F. Servey Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering. “Solving this problem now is essential to avoid the type and scale of pollution that we currently face with waste plastics. This project is an example of the forward-thinking research that the KU CEBC and its collaborators undertake to promote the sustainability of our planet.” Through one of its latest ventures, Research Rising, KU is expanding it’s efforts to combat global challenges. The five-year initiative is investing more than $12 million in interdisciplinary projects that address critical issues under five research themes: Development Across the Lifespan, Earth, Energy + Environment, Human Experience in the Digital Age, Molecules + Medicines and Safety + Security. In June 2022, four projects were selected to participate: Securing Our Worlds: Physical, Digital, Social focuses on solving problems related to safety and security; Big Data for Drug Discovery works to integrate biotechnologies that collect large amounts of data to better understand diseases; Growing KU’s Interdisciplinary Strengths in Genomics intends to uncover the secrets in genomes for health innovation and sustainable development purposes; and Advancing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research at KU strives to enhance the university’s internally renown intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) research programs. Robotics lab at Wichita State University Photo courtesy of Wichita State UniversityNext >