HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission approved a development agreement with Kansas Protein Foods.

The company is going to re-open the former CHS Foods Facility. The process of putting the operation back into production can now officially begin.

The plant is projected to reach employment of at least 51 within four years. Some individuals have already been hired. The company would like to have 18 employees hired and working by June of 2019.

Debra Teufel, President of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, presented a cost-benefit analysis of the reopening. Research was conducted by the Wichita State University Center for Economic Development and Business Research. Teufel highlighted the factors this research considered:

If all goes according to plan, the county would give an incentive of $43,000.

Once open, Kansas Protein Foods will make the same flavored and unflavored soy protein products for which the plant was designed.