Dear ,
The purpose of this report is to update the Board on the activities of the EDC and the general economic development activity in the area impacting southwest Johnson County.
Edgerton and Gardner work together on a sewer plan: The City of Edgerton has come to a lease agreement with the Johnson County Parks to have access to the site of the new wastewater facility. Edgerton has condemned the site to move the acquisition forward. Edgerton also annexed the site at a meeting in June. The Groundbreaking for the new plant was held on July 17 at 8:30 a.m.
Activity:
Dallas Intermodal: In May Beth Linn, City of Edgerton Administrator, Becky Freetly-Graber and Sara Freetly-Grubb, candid marketing, Patrick Robinson, Allen Group and I traveled to Dallas to meet with BNSF and Allen Group officials to tour the BNSF Intermodal. We also met with administrative and economic development officials for the City of Lancaster, Texas to discuss the impact of the intermodal in their community.
Intermodal Presentations: I am receiving inquiries regarding the intermodal and have given presentations and tours to several business people. The site is changing almost daily.
Transportation Committees: The Kansas Department of Transportation has been working on ways to improve transportation in our area. They currently have several committees and groups evaluating the I-35 corridor and specifically traffic movements around southwest Johnson County.
Gardner Hires a City Administrator: The City Council in Gardner has approved the contract for a City Administrator. Cheryl Harrison-Lee has accepted the position of Gardner City Administrator. Ms. Harrison-Lee has experience in planning, economic development and municipal government administration in Florida. She is also a former district manager with the Florida Department of Transportation. She began her duties on July 16th. She will be at our August 8th EDC Board meeting at New Century at 8:30 a.m.
Mike Press is managing the City of Gardner as acting City Administrator.
TradeNet expands: TradeNet Publishing, Inc. has acquired Ad Dimensions, a company formerly located in Independence, Missouri, to its growing line of products. Ad Dimensions is an industry leader in cubes, sticky notes and slinky notes. The addition will bring 15 new jobs to Gardner.
Membership:
If you know of a business that has an interest in the growth of Southwest Johnson County let us know and we will contact them about becoming part of the EDC.
If you have news about your company, which you would like to share, please send it to me at tom@businessmoveshere.com.
Tom Riederer, CEcD
President
Southwest Johnson County Economic Development
P.O. Box 456
Gardner, KS 66060
913.715.6007
913.715.6008 fax
913.220.3105 cell
