Topeka Relocation Guide 2008 - (Page 4) What’s Right with Economic Development in Topeka/Shawnee County Topeka/Shawnee County competes with 18,000 other communities in its quest to create and retain jobs and capital investment. Much of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka’s economic development efforts involve forward-thinking strategies that make the most of our valuable assets. • Kansas Riverfront redevelopment is well on its way to enhancing our quality of life and strengthening our identity as a community. • Hundreds of acres are available at Central Crossing Commerce Park, Forbes Field, and other mixed-use and light industrial locations. • We have solid infrastructure – roads, utilities, and fiber-optic cable – in place for further development. • Our business-friendly climate offers financing, incentives, and tax credits. Economic Development Sales Tax Initiative Paying Off Of all of Topeka/Shawnee County’s assets, the sales tax initiative most differentiates us from other Midwest communities, and it can be a tie-breaker when all other factors are equal. Thanks to the taxpayers of Topeka/Shawnee County, the sales tax initiative is proving to be an excellent investment. A recent economic impact study by Dr. Paul F. Byrne of Washburn University’s School of Business shows that the 1,000 Alorica jobs will directly and indirectly bring $88.2 million a year into Topeka/Shawnee County’s economy – a phenomenal return on our investment. Assets That Set Us Apart Topeka/Shawnee County, indeed, has valuable assets – both natural and developed – to make us a serious contender in the economic development arena: • Our central location, equally distant from both coasts and from Canada and Mexico, is at a crossroads of major highways and interstates. • Kansas roads are rated third best in the U.S. • Cost of living is 11 percent lower than the national average. • Housing costs are among the lowest in the nation, with a recent study ranking us the sixth lowest. • Our “Knowledge Corridor” has 66,000 students attending universities within 50 miles of Topeka and adds 15,000 graduates each year to our ready workforce. • Our excellent quality of life is reflected in our access to healthcare, cultural and recreational opportunities, and good schools. Reser’s Fine Foods Alorica: A Case Study of What We’re Doing Right Alorica, which expects to have hired 1,000 agents and support staff for its new Topeka customer service call center by the end of 2007, exemplifies a company attracted to our business-friendly climate. Here are just a few of the factors that Alorica officials say led to their decision to settle in Topeka: • The repeal of personal property tax on new investments in business machinery and equipment • A ready workforce to fill the 1,000-plus positions • The Topeka/Shawnee County sales tax initiative, providing up to $90,000 each year (for up to 1,000 new jobs paying a minimum of $9 an hour plus benefits) over a 10-year period. Making the Most of Our Assets Chamber/GO Topeka’s economic development efforts are driven by a five-year Strategic Plan. A plan for 2008 through 2012 is expected to expand GO Topeka’s efforts to be more global in scope and focus on these industry segments: warehousing and distribution, shared services (insurance, finance, and customer support), value-added food manufacturing, animal and pet products, and business and professional organizations. Besides the Alorica call center, other recent successes fall into these industry segments. Here are just a few: • Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s $100 million expansion, adding more than 100 jobs 4
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