Unemployment Rate Low/Construction High

The latest report from the Kansas Department of Labor shows unemployment in Mitchell County at 3.4% in January 2012. This is lower than any of our neighbors in the contiguous counties of Jewell, Osborne, Lincoln, Cloud and Ottawa counties which are all over 4%. The Department of Labor has published a map demonstrating unemployment rates, county by county, across the state.

Employers in Mitchell County are still trying to hire new people and manufacturers are expanding and facing increasing demand for their products.

New construction and new business investments continue to add up in Mitchell County. Construction continues on the addition to the Super 8 Motel. A small warehouse building has been moved into the Solomon Valley Business park, the additional warehouse facility at Thompson's OK Tire is being completed, the new Law Enforcement Center is open now, a new front is being added to the Solomon Valley Building Center, Sunflower Manufacturing is putting up another building, the Library construction project is underway and two more buildings will begin construction soon on the Solomon Valley Business Park.

On top of all this crews are making great progress on the new swimming pool, new water lines on the west side of Beloit and new cooling towers for the City Power Plant.

Three of the new homes in the Crown Homes Addition are nearing completion. A total of 9 homes are included in this project.

Many images from numerous construction projects currently underway or recently completed can be seen on the Mitchell County Community Development Facebook page.

Looking Forward to 2012

2011 has been a year of ups and downs but commercial construction activity looks very promising in 2012. Community Development Director, Murray McGee reported to the Mitchell County Commissioners recently that several large commercial construction projects have been started and many more are on the horizon.
The Crown Homes construction is nearing an end. Two of the new homes in the Ackerman Addition are expected to be ready in February. Seven more will be ready soon after.
Thompson Tire has started adding on to their north building. Super 8 is adding on 20 rooms. Those two projects will be completed in early 2012.
In 2011 a total of three lots were sold in the Solomon Valley Business Park south of Super 8 and Becker Autos & Trailers. Three new commercial buildings will be constructed in the business park next year.
Plans are also being developed to construct new commercial buildings at 3rd & Mill Street and at 2nd & Mill Street in downtown Beloit.
Construction continues on the new swimming pool in Chautauqua Park, crews have started work on new water lines. Construction work on the new lines started in the area of 4th & Western Streets.
They City of Beloit is also moving forward with plans for new cooling towers to be built at the power plant in 2012.
McGee said there are also two other commercial building projects in the discussion stage at this time for 2012.

Busy Time for Mitchell County Community Development

I just gave an update today on several ongoing projects:

1) The platting process continues on the North Campus Development area. We already have interest in the commercial and residential areas of the property.

2) Manske & Associates have closed on land in the Ackerman Addition in Beloit and will move their housing project to this location. Construction should begin soon.

3) We have two large business expansion projects on the table. Both over $500,000.

4) We have 9 new business development projects. A couple have made offers on property in Beloit.

5) We have sold two lots in the Solomon Valley Business park within the past 45 days and talks are underway for the sale of a 3rd lot at this time.

6) Brett Wichers has moved the Plum Creek Restaurant to it's new location on west Court Street in downtown Beloit.

To say the least.....this is a very busy time. If you have a business project you would like to discuss call 785 738-2717 or 785 569-1465.