Skip Navigation
 

Notices

Governor Kelly Announces Nearly $15M Available to Connect Kansans to Digital Devices and Public Wi-Fi Governor Laura Kelly announced today that applications are open for the Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) program. A total of $14.7 million in grant awards will be available to organizations addressing the challenges of broadband accessibility, affordability, and device availability. Governor Kelly Announces $28.5M for High-Speed Internet Infrastructure Governor Laura Kelly announced today that $28.5 million in grants were awarded to 12 entities through the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program. The LINC program provides strategic funding for crucial aspects of broadband connectivity to reduce the cost of internet service, increase availability, and improve performance. Governor Kelly Announces $5M to Expand Access to High-Speed Internet in Rural Kansas Communities Governor Laura Kelly today announced that $5 million has been awarded to eight internet service providers (ISPs) in the latest round of Broadband Acceleration Grants for 2023. The awards will be paired with an additional $6.6 million in matching funds, resulting in an investment of nearly $12 million for high-speed broadband access projects across 10 rural Kansas counties. Commerce Program Opens Employment Pathway for Justice-Involved Kansans KANSASWORKS, a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce, is taking significant strides to empower justice-involved individuals across the state through the Re-entry Specialized Employment Counseling & Training (ReSpECT)WORKS program. This program provides intensive case management and career navigation for eligible individuals released from the prison system in Kansas. View All

Menu

Business Regions Made in Kansas Our Department Publications Initiatives & Incentives Transparency Database About Us Notices Contact
Back
Back

Regional Efforts Bring Weatherly Aircraft Company to Newton, Kansas

Dec 20, 2018

Share this post:

Newton, Kan. – Through regional efforts, Harvey County Economic Development and the Greater Wichita Partnership worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist Weatherly Aircraft Company in locating their headquarters and assembly operations to a 26,000 sq. ft. facility at the Newton City-County airport.

Weatherly Aircraft Company is an American agricultural aircraft manufacturer of planes designed for small grain farming. The company plans to add about 109 jobs in the next five years and invest over $1 million in capital investment.

Gary Beck, General Manager for Weatherly said, “As a first move to make Weatherly Aircraft Company’s new home in Kansas, we have selected hangar space at the Newton City-County Airport as an assembly facility for our model 620-B plane. We appreciate the support we have been provided and will begin production within the first quarter of 2019.”

The City of Newton Commission and the Harvey County Commission voted to approve a five-year lease at a special joint meeting on Dec. 20th. Weatherly Aircraft will take possession in February 2019 and be operational beginning March 2019.

“Weatherly Aircraft will be a great addition to a growing list of dynamic manufacturers in Newton and Harvey County who are doing business all over the world,” said Bob Myers, Newton City Manager.

Harvey County Economic Development Executive Director, Beth Shelton said, “We are delighted to welcome Weatherly Aircraft to the Newton City-County Airport. This project is a wonderful example of collaboration between our city, county, region, and state working together to facilitate growth and create valuable jobs in Harvey County.”

“This is another terrific development for the city of Newton, for our aviation industry, and for Kansas as a whole,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “Weatherly Aircraft Company’s decision to move their manufacturing operations to Kansas is the right move for them. The amount of new employment opportunities coming to Newton is really extraordinary.”

“We were honored to support Weatherly Aircraft Company’s search for new facilities outside of California by demonstrating opportunities available throughout our region,” said Andrew Nave, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Wichita Partnership. “The Newton City-County airport provided an ideal site for this exciting aviation business and the City of Newton, Harvey County Economic Development and the Kansas Department of Commerce worked very collaboratively to make the business case to win this company to our region.”

For additional information, please contact:

Beth Shelton, Harvey County Economic Development (316) 283-6033
Bob Myers, City of Newton (316) 284-6001

About Harvey County Economic Development

Harvey County Economic Development is dedicated to the growth and advancement of Harvey County’s economy. We strive to maintain our economic health by supporting the business and industry we have while continuing the recruitment of new industry. We have a firm belief that the vitality of our economy is directly connected to the wellbeing of each resident. For more information, visit www.harveycoedc.org.

About the Greater Wichita Partnership

The Greater Wichita Partnership works to align and focus organizations, industries, businesses, and leaders to cultivate the environment for businesses to succeed and grow in order to fast forward economic growth in the greater Wichita region. For more information, visit www.greaterwichitapartnership.org.


en_USEnglish