Hill's Pet Nutrition -- Tip of the hat

If it couldn't be us, we're glad our sister city 50 miles down the Kansas Turnpike was the victor.

The news is huge for Emporia, which is on a roll in terms of economic development.

Hill's plans to pour $100 million into the plant, beginning construction early next year. Production is scheduled to begin in 2009, with the plant employing more than 100 employees at an average wage of $40,000.

Topeka already is home to three Hill's operations, and clearly a fourth would have been welcome.

Topeka's incentive package was impressive, according to Hill's officials, but Hill's indicated it needed to diversify location of its plants to better manage risk from potential disruptions, including tornadoes.

It's hard to argue with the reasoning.

"We appreciate the ongoing support of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce and Go Topeka and recognize their outstanding work supporting Kansans,'' said Robert Wheeler, chairman and chief executive officer of Hill's. "Topeka presented a strong proposal, but in the end it could not overcome other considerations, including our need to diversify the placement of our plants.''

Hill's isn't exactly sitting still in Shawnee County, employing 884 people here while continuing to add jobs and invest in the local economy.

In the past five years, Hill's added more than 150 new employees and poured some $100 million into facilities in Topeka, including an expansion project in excess of $25 million starting this summer.

Hill's will continue to operate its global headquarters, pet nutrition center and canned pet food manufacturing facility in Topeka.

The new operation in Emporia will include a 300,000-acre plant on an 80-acre site.

The news capped off a yearlong run in Emporia, in which several companies have made multimillion dollar commitments.

Those have included Westar Energy, Norfolk Iron and Metal, Detroit Diesel, and Renewable Energy Group.

Clearly, building the Hill's plant in Emporia was a big win for Kansas.

More than a dozen sites were evaluated, including locations in Missouri.

Justin Skala, president of Hill's North America, credited Senate Bill 240 with helping Kansas land the expansion.

The bill provides tax relief, helping Kansas compete with other states, including Missouri.

So all in all, it was good news.

We agree with the assessment of Doug Kinsinger, Topeka Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

"While disappointed that Hill's will not be further expanding its presence in Topeka at this time,'' he said, "we are very pleased the new facility will be in Kansas and in our immediate region.''
source:www.cjonline.com