Why Wichita?
Friday, November 4th, 2011 I attended a seminar put on by the Wichita Area Association of Realtors. The Professionals Development committee invited several people “in the know” about Wichita and its future to address Realtors about the future of the Area.
Speakers were:
Lavonta Williams, Vice Mayor of Wichita, KS
Pat George, Kansas Secretary of Commerce
John Rolde, CEO of Go Wichita and Visitors Bureau
Susie Ahlstrand, Interim President, Great Wichita Economic Development Coalition
Jack Pelton, Retired Chairman, President and CEO Cessna
Ron Whiting, Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care
Jeff Fluhr, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation.
Below are high points on what is happening in the Wichita Metro area and why the tough economic times should be behind us and 2012 will be a much better year.
Downtown Wichita: 6 floors of the Petroleum building were just bought by a local investment group.
A full block of downtown Wichita is getting redeveloped. The Kansas health Foundation is building a $7-$9 million meeting venue next to its headquarters on East Douglas. In addition, plans for the block include a urban park, parking garage and the new Ambassador Hotel.
Other downtown projects just completed or now in progress or the planning stage include the $25 million Drury Hotel just completed, Cargill’s Innovation Center, 2 new projects on St. Francis, purchase of the 100 S. Market and the The Board of Trade Building. The new Airport Terminal starts in 2012.
There are projected to be around 4,000 new jobs created in the Wichita area in 2012.
Pat George, Kansas Secretary of Commerce said that business’s (local and overseas) are starting to recognize that Kansas workers are team Players and have a high work ethic.
One of the largest wind farms in the world has just been announced to be built West of Kingman and out to Greensburg, KS. The Project is expected to cost at least $700 million and does not include the millions needed to move addition transmission lines to the area.
Did you know that the Kansas cost of living index is 9% below the U.S. Average?
Jack Pelton, Former President of Cessna Aircraft probably had the best news for Realtors looking for more business. He said the increase in orders for Boeing aircraft will have Spirit gearing up to build planes at historic rates. Boeing just announced a new engine for the B737 and they have received almost 600 orders. That production line may double in the number of planes built every month. Production lines for the B787 and the B747X are also expected to increase. Spirit Aerospace is already working at pretty much full capacity and will have to do major hiring to satisfy Boeing's requirements.
Mr. Pelton said many of the Wichita area suppliers have gotten increased business from other sources and the Aircraft business will max them out and require substantial additional hiring. In addition to Spirit, Cessna has announced two new jets and the local business jet market should start improving in 2012 and 2013. Continuing the good aircraft related news is the new U.S. Tanker to be built in Seattle but converted to the Tanker mode in Wichita at Boeing Military starting in 2014. Hiring for this should start in 2013.
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