Last Word With Molly Howey

MOLLY HOWEY, CEcD

President GO Topeka

Senior Vice President Greater Topeka Partnership

On the heels of the billion dollar investment coming to Kansas, TK talks with GO Topeka.

What types of external businesses does GO Topeka look to bring in?

Recently, GO Topeka has shifted more focus to attracting new businesses in the aviation, animal health and bioscience industries. With the assets we have in our airports, there is a unique offering the community can continue to build on to attract companies who need access to one of the largest runways there is! Topeka’s location within the Animal Health Corridor presents another advantage for companies in animal health and related industries.

What project are you most proud of bringing to Topeka?

I came in on the tail end of it – but the company I’m most proud of attracting to Topeka during my time with GO Topeka is Mars. They have been a great corporate partner and remain a point of pride for our community and the state of Kansas.

Any misses where we almost brought in a company, and they choose another location?

Without giving too much information, we have come in

Photo by EMMA HIGHFILL

second for a large company who chose to locate in another Kansas community mostly based on the ability for them to hire at lower wages in that community. To me, that is an acceptable reason to “lose.” Our whole goal is to help create opportunities for our current and future citizens to have good paying jobs that create economic success for all.

What makes Topeka attractive to businesses?

We have so much to offer! Our cost of living and cost of doing business are both attractive to companies looking at growth or relocation opportunities. Depending on the industry, we have some unique characteristics you don’t find everywhere like water capacity, logistical infrastructure and available shovelready land. Of course, our location in the center of the United States and state and local incentives play a part in most site selection criteria as well.

What could we do to bring more businesses in?

That is very dependent on the industry. Most companies are focused on things they cannot build themselves. We hear a lot about availability of skilled labor, access to customized training and a pipeline of people ready to work.

Why are incentives necessary?

Incentives are means to close gaps and help communities make up for places they lack. Incentives cannot make a bad deal good, but when used correctly, they can make a good deal better. The data behind location decisions is deep and wide. Ultimately, site selection is really about a process of elimination. The fact that we are fortunate enough in Topeka to have flexible, aggressive incentives allows us to direct those incentives toward pain points of the company and keeps our community in the game.

What can local businesses do to open conversations with GO Topeka when they are looking to grow or innovate?

Just reach out. Our team is focusing on support for existing businesses of all sizes and offer one-on-one discussions as well as a variety of training and programs. TK

LOCAL BUSINESS LeaderTopeka SPOTLIGHT PARTNERS

LET KANVIEW GLASS IMPROVE YOUR VIEW

KanView Glass is a full-service glass company for both residential and commercial customers.

Local, family, & veteran-owned and operated, KanView Glass serves Topeka, Lawrence, and surrounding areas. Jerry, with over 35 years of experience, teamed with his son Josh, with over 12 years of experience in the glass industry, provide their customers with superior service and the highest quality glass products the industry has to offer.

KanView Glass can install frameless mirrors, replace your broken & fogged window glass, design and install the perfect frameless shower enclosure to fit you needs, and much more. We want to help you enhance the beauty of your home or business.

Let KanView Glass improve your view!

www.kanview.com 785-273-1240

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS

A BETTER WAY TO THRIFT

God's Storehouse is Topeka's better way to thrift. Its mission: to help the local community by offering quality condition items at a discounted rate.

God’s Storehouse is a church that operates a thrift store and was first opened in 2009 by Rick & Pennie Kloos. The heart of its ministry is illustrated through its slogan: “Generosity at its best!” God's Storehouse strives to exemplify this in its interactions between the employees, agencies it works with, and the community in which it operates. Its vision is to love God and love people; by doing so it hopes to make a lasting impact in the community in which it serves.

God's Storehouse helps people in the community who have gone through difficult times, by giving items such as clothing, furniture, and household goods at no cost. In addition, it resells the donated items at a reduced cost, recycling them back into the community.

God’s Storehouse regularly partners with different churches, agencies, and other non-profit organizations to help empower individuals in achieving a new start.

LOCALLY OWNED & 31 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Steak 'n Shake was founded in February 1934 in Normal, Illinois by Gus Belt, who pioneered the concept of premium burgers and milk shakes.

www.gshtopeka.org 785-608-6743

For over 85 years, the company’s name has been symbolic of its heritage. The word “steak” stood for STEAKBURGER. The term “shake” stood for handdipped MILK SHAKES.

Gus was determined to serve his customers the finest burgers and shakes in the business. To prove his point that his burgers were exceptionally prime, he would wheel in a barrel of steaks (including round, sirloin, and T-bones) and grind the meat into burgers right in front of the guests. Hence arose the origin of its famous slogan, “In Sight It Must Be Right.”

Steak 'n Shake continues the 85-year tradition of serving the country’s best, freshest, and tastiest burgers and shakes.

www.steaknshake.com 785-273-9711

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