Seventeen years after the inception of Salt City Business Park and its original 196 acres, the park is undergoing an expansion and name change.

After Siemens built their plant on 108-acres in 2010, the Chamber recognized the need for another large industrial site of at least 100-contiguous acres. The right piece of ground was the 65-acres directly south of the park. Funded by the City of Hutchinson, Reno County, a $1.36 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), and a $650,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Chamber began the process of acquiring and developing the property.

In June, Dondlinger Construction, the project’s lowest bidder, commenced construction in the park including the extension of rail service from the Siemens plant south to US Highway 50 and west to Halstead. The park’s north/south Commerce Street is being expanded south with a paved street, municipal water and sewer and fire protection. The project, scheduled to be completed in October 2012, will have 151.8 shovel-ready acres available.

To complete the park’s renovation, the name has been changed from Salt City Business Park to Kansas Enterprise Industrial Park. “Today’s competitive environment in business recruitment dictates that communities market their industrial properties globally. The new name provides immediate recognition to international prospects,” explained Jon Daveline, Chamber president.

The Chamber and Building on Success would like to thank the Hutchinson City Council and the Reno County Commissioners for their foresight to invest in the next phase of development. They recognize the importance of being prepared for new growth and expansion and have provided a vital economic development tool that sets Hutchinson and Reno County ahead of many competing communities.