Precious Metals Company Discovers Ideal Location in Rural Kansas

US Assets Recovery (USAR), a company specializing in precious metal recovery, refining and fabrication, is flourishing. In choosing a new location to grow, the Joplin, Mo.-based company recently looked to Kansas.

   Floyd Langley, chief financial officer for USAR, credited the work of the Kansas Department of Commerce for its part in bringing the company to Kansas — and specifically Galena, which the USAR team knew well before the company announced plans in 2022 for a new facility in the rural, southeast Kansas community.

   USAR’s relationship with Galena was forged in the wake of a devastating tornado in 2011 in Joplin. While processing debris left behind by the tornado, US Assets Recovery worked with a Galena landfill for the majority of its waste disposal. The professional bonds formed between USAR and the folks in Galena were instrumental in the company choosing Kansas for its growth plan — as was the work of the Business Development team at Commerce, which assisted USAR every step of the way.

   Such partnerships are at the heart of Kansas’ recent and record-setting economic development success, with good relationships between Commerce’s Business Development team, companies and local officials driving success statewide. With staff throughout Kansas, the Business Development team relies on local eyes and ears to identify and support prospects for new businesses and business expansions.

   As a result, every part of Kansas has seen impressive growth, with more than $17 billion in private investment and more than 60,400 jobs created or retained statewide since Governor Laura Kelly took office in 2019. Projects have been announced by Panasonic Energy, Amazon, Hostess Brands, Integra Technologies, Garmin, Merck and Co., Urban Outfitters, Schwan’s, Great Plains Manufacturing-Kubota, EMP-Shield, Bell Textron, Merck Animal Health, Geico, Hilmar Cheese and many others. New projects are being announced in communities of all sizes, including many in rural areas — USAR’s recent move to Galena included.

   In Galena, USAR found the site and property ideal for remodeling for its operation, which projects $1.8 million in capital investment and 20 new jobs over the next five years. USAR also is participating in incentive programs administered by Commerce, including the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP), Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK), and Kansas Industrial Training (KIT).

   Langley said Commerce’s Business Development team impressed USAR by focusing on the company’s unique needs, helping the company qualify for good grants, property tax abatements, and other critical support.

   Commerce’s unwavering commitment to making Kansas the best place to do business is unfolding in every part of the state, and in communities of all sizes — with USAR’s move to rural Kansas yet another example of the state’s ongoing and unparalleled success. To learn more about Kansas’ award-winning economic development programs and business successes, please visit kansascommerce.gov.