If you were to stand outside today and listen closely, you could hear the crescendo of opportunity as it knocks at the door of Harvey County.
Earlier today, Mickey Fornaro-Dean of the Harvey County Economic Development Council introduced a plan to City/County government and community leaders for a logistics park, just east of Newton.
It’s a plan based around, but not restricted to wind energy and the timely moving of components around a 500-mile corridor.
However, that is just one element of the plan.
With infrastructure in place, Harvey County stands to capitalize on its proximity to a major highway system and rail service.
And, that capitalization opens the door to many other manufacturers looking for a strategic site to move products, which could mean an enhanced local job market and tax base as people move to the area.
According to a consultant for the plan, Initiatives President and CEO, Troy Carlson, “(Newton and Harvey County) have a tremendous highway network with confluence of rail service and is right beside an urban center, but outside a lot of congested areas.”
Carlson said Harvey County provides a focal point for moving extra large components of wind energy because of access to land where units could be stored.
During the past six months, eight manufacturing firms have expressed interest for the park. Four have even conducted site visits.
Moreover, with Kansas ranking third in the nation for wind energy potential, growth could mean exportation of energy to other states, which would provide much-needed state revenue.
Overall, 29 states already have renewable energy portfolios and another six have goals.
Now that the plan is public, more opportunities could surface during a time when other Kansas counties face dwindling job markets as businesses shrink and in some instances, close permanently.
Of course, progress cannot occur without investment.
The Logistics Park requires infrastructure, including sewer and water, which would need routed beneath Interstate 135.
Local officials also would need an option to purchase additional ground to establish a reasonable beginning to the project.
And, we need to be prepared to offer tax incentives to attract businesses, which in turn would bring families to our county and ultimately bring tax income, anyway.
During a time when communities struggle with a myriad of economic woes, careful thought has to prevail.
However, there may be no better time than today to lay the groundwork.
“My belief is we will develop a renewable energy corridor from Wichita to Salina,” said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson during the 10th anniversary Kansas Wind Energy conference. “It makes good economic sense to locate there.”
So it’s up to us – either we act or watch as another city along I-135 sees fruition and ultimately, capital gains.
As city and county officials begin work on what may become one of the most important projects in Harvey County history, we hope there will be a rally of support among residents to help open a door of opportunity for all of us.
— The Kansan Editorial Board
