[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6556447,"mediaKeyId","3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1","parentId",3201405,"title","Economic development director updates commissioners on Orbis facility closure, grant pauses and tourism numbers","audioSeconds",1702,"startMs",4611000,"endMs",6313000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1&start=4611&end=6313","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1/thumbnail_4611000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6556447/Osage-County/Kansas/Economic-development-director-updates-commissioners-on-Orbis-facility-closure-grant-pauses-and-tourism-numbers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556447-053f6d1ed9cecd0022b5ec34e490f9fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176698&Signature=ShgFv4ce1Y36T2gK5dxf9AFVzhN-KRo7bEubpelDaHWjQo4KcWuXYetAo-2aZOBFCIYo99MKaU4FCgp5ZV2uLMsRc3kh~QrS3Ef3UCD06rVjBLDHG~o7A8umxSngbVneUu7K4AqnshzXxiYRgVa3zeqQyB6IXyA5OinpQfW~h2LQqEZYjjkLLsK9rIDXClLU~D4sM-cF1J7kMFoCz7X2GySObcl67PXifQA3j5HxXSRiqAbV2EOazMRktNycYjYo~WGxPaasVAITanZFQT5LJhOyQJ896GSWi7ikhF01b0Bd9ne58P8Ksrc8o4SB0toKKBiFv5KiRt9KiSKZwkh-LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Osage County, KS","date","2025-05-06T17:55:24.863Z","article","Colleen Mendoza, Osage County’s economic development director, briefed the commission on a series of economic and program updates tied to the recent closure of the Orbis facility in Osage City and changes in state and federal funding programs.

Orbis facility: Mendoza said Orbis has announced an intent to vacate the Osage City facility by July and will list the property for sale through Colliers commercial real estate; county and city economic-development staff are coordinating with Colliers and the Kansas Department of Commerce on marketing. She cautioned that, based on recent facility sales elsewhere in Kansas and current investor uncertainty, a sale could take one to three years and the facility may remain vacant during that window. Mendoza listed facility attributes (rail-served, municipal utility ownership) that are attractive to buyers and noted the building’s limitations — ceilings of roughly 10 to 12 feet compared with modern competing facilities that can have much higher clearance — which may affect the types of industries that will consider the site.

Grants and funding landscape: Mendoza reported that several state and federal grant programs have been paused, reduced, or reorganized under the current administration, limiting tools for economic development. She said the county’s nearly $800,000 Safe Streets for All grant (awarded in February 2024) has been paused; the county may need to wait for the program to resume and Josh and the county clerk will have to review contract materials when the program reopens. Mendoza said the county will resubmit a countywide MIH (modern income housing) application this summer at no additional cost to cities in the county, but warned the round will be highly competitive (she estimated roughly a 50/50 chance). She noted that CDBG funding remains available currently but cautioned there are no guarantees for future rounds.

Orbis-related workforce support and community assistance: Mendoza summarized rapid-response and workforce outreach after the Orbis closure: the Department of Labor rapid-response team, workforce partners and community organizations provided materials in English and Spanish, mock interviews, and a job fair for displaced employees; 60% of displaced workers attended the in-person worker information session and 50% attended the job fair that featured 15 employers. Mendoza also thanked a local foundation and the county board for providing modest financial support (two $100 “chamber bucks” contributions per affected family) to help displaced families with near-term expenses.

Tourism and other updates: Mendoza reported county progress on tourism promotion: the county’s travel-and-tourism social media soft launch (Facebook only) is nearing 800 followers with strong engagement and a demographic skew toward women, and Mendoza said a tourism website would launch by Memorial Day weekend. She provided visitor-spending context (roughly $12 million in visitor spending, 30 jobs generated, $4 million in state/local taxes) and said county visitation was trending up about 3% year over year.

Why it matters: The Orbis closure and pauses in grant programs may affect economic activity, job prospects and county project planning. Mendoza urged readiness to offer incentives for future buyers and told commissioners to prepare for potentially long timelines in facility disposition and business recruitment.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Osage County Commission Meeting 5-6-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Osage County’s economic development director told the commission on May 6 that Orbis plans to vacate its Osage City facility and that state and federal grant programs have been paused or reduced, complicating the county’s project toolbox.","taxTitle","Osage County, Kansas","taxId",73452,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556452,"Local service providers ask Osage County for continued support; fair organizers request donation",612,599000,1211000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1&start=599&end=1211","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1/thumbnail_599000.jpg","/articles/6556452/Osage-County/Kansas/Local-service-providers-ask-Osage-County-for-continued-support-fair-organizers-request-donation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556452-7f9a81eef660b65dcd054c42b001e65d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176698&Signature=diRRlsex2bDoMcBLAdr-oxIkxW1jP616V2VcAibn5Pm4VPcMc4elaaCTJfprfKGa4I0Nt~eWzjZz-45clip8WAUxRc7MUEXITRsy3Q~XVm7Igpyp-BdqFuOUecfBHjlLC1DFxDB5p4Q5RV~8W4851uhQy2~FgUlbxgW-g4z5AyBGM8ww6Jv3OsWxT-eCaXHP0eQCpNivoQdo9hfBORYLHhaLxuMvc8dPidkASAPd02bkIUMVIzpiT0VZqtOxAKymJb9Dh6XRPpcFbWcJUF-tdyiv1P9V1D2eR-HYDtfIEUPFONVjUg-lxEsMFMk~7jUsDqPfnGqsFKIsIW017Aq8CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 6 meeting, two community presenters asked Osage County commissioners for financial support for ongoing programs and an annual community fair.

John Griffin, accompanied by Patrick Gardner, presented an annual appropriation request of $34,332 for their provider operations that serve adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Osage County. The presenters said their organization operates in Osage and Franklin counties, runs group homes and day services in Osage City, serves roughly 54 adults across programs in the county and employs about 19 staff in Osage County. They reported annual payroll figures and described services including shared living, case management and day programming. Griffin told commissioners they have not requested an increase in the appropriation in recent years; the clerk requested a formal letter for the file.

Mona Lisa Lynch, speaking as a community fair organizer, thanked the county for prior funding and asked for a county donation to support the Sunflower/ local community fair. Lynch said the 2026 estimated cost for the fair is roughly $2,500 and she asked the commission to consider a donation of $3,500 to offset expenses for low- and moderate-income families. She described the event’s community support, approximately 350 attendees from the surrounding area and the fair’s reliance on sponsorships, volunteer labor and small fees for activities.

What commissioners asked and next steps: Commissioners asked for written documentation. For Griffin’s appropriation request, the clerk asked for a formal letter and any required paperwork to process an appropriation request. Lynch said she will provide sponsor information and asked if the county name could be included on the fair banner; commissioners requested the organizer submit paperwork to the clerk for consideration during budget/appropriation review.

","Service providers and community fair organizers addressed the commission to request routine appropriations and donations: a provider of residential and day services for adults with disabilities requested its annual $34,332 appropriation; a local fair organizer requested $3,500 to support Sunflower Days.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6556457,"Osage County commissioners approve series of purchase orders, invoices and payroll",383,1925000,2308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1&start=1925&end=2308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3201405-be8d5216fac66e9c260b355f14eba7f1/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","/articles/6556457/Osage-County/Kansas/Osage-County-commissioners-approve-series-of-purchase-orders-invoices-and-payroll","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6556457-b66477ba980b06b1b62e56486fa635a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176698&Signature=nQ3xLY1oZCuJVdDGJrTuNHfp9At9bKK2Yp16sLt4DF9yXWMgG7kkHOHCeDPttxQg0yxs2gOp5JkY8zSoIV-DWnd~P3osg-ZTAaOv5Ahy5oLlFQTr8BHoeGIONaY1EGsl7UL95liB~bDFBwEdrzueKHr~NSa6wt7vdcyLkHijSWM4K-qKqVbrEF3L-Vmh0XHfdxidSOchlyNhTRleloDRtpQGjttgP5m5PRPygYOblkB8UwdIwRTpHUAiYO0CHZ3dKBZcCBppyhXIvoLs4EtqF84pPRPNxQTZ2BZgY5XwODSWuXg3kcQyXyfFTYIZOfBQbouZxMHnYR38EumRsbekoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Osage County commissioners on May 6 approved a batch of purchase orders, a contractor invoice and the county payroll during their regular meeting and a subsequent Public Building Commission session.

The approvals included down payments and equipment purchases for county operations, a contractor invoice forwarded for payment consideration, work on the courthouse parking lot, a new server for district court, a small community-hydrant installation, and the county payroll for the current pay period.

Why it matters: The purchases cover a range of county operations from facilities maintenance to critical IT infrastructure. Approvals commit county funds and set implementation plans for repairs, equipment replacement and vendor payments affecting several county departments.

Most important actions
- Purchase order No. 4095: commissioners approved a 25% down payment of $10,288.96 for a fuel-island control system and associated piping and labor.
- Purchase order No. 4039: approved purchase of a Model 729 Grasshopper mower/snowblower and snow-performance package for $19,834 to Sloop Sales and Hooks Repair, Inc.; approval was recorded and later included in PBC payment motions.
- Invoice KBS 25-041919: the Public Building Commission approved forwarding an invoice in the amount of $116,641.80 from KBS for punch-list items; commissioners later approved payment and amended the motion to include PO 4039 payment.
- Purchase order No. 4026: approved $8,000 to McNally Asphalt for parking-lot cleaning, patching, crack-filling, sealing and striping (paid from courthouse general/courthouse capital as noted in the meeting).
- Purchase order No. 4093 / server: approved $22,120 to Century Business Technologies for a new district-court server (specifications per sales order) and related setup.
- Hydrant installation for Vassar community building: approved allowing Fields to install an outside spigot/hydrant for $650; contractor to submit paperwork and change order for documentation.
- Payroll: commissioners approved payroll in the amount of $710,730.69 for the current pay period.

Supporting details and votes: Motions were moved and seconded for each item; in most cases roll-call voting was recorded by voice with commissioners answering “aye.” One vote on the Grasshopper purchase recorded at least one visible dissent (a commissioner registered an “no” with a smiley-face comment in the record) but the motion passed. Where explicit mover/second names were not provided in the spoken record, the minutes record only that motions were made and seconded and that votes carried.

Next steps: Approved purchase orders will proceed to vendor ordering or work scheduling. Staff were asked to return documentation (POs/change orders/receipts) for the county clerk’s files and to coordinate timing with facilities and vendors.

","The Osage County Commission and Public Building Commission approved multiple purchase orders and payments on May 6, including fuel-pump equipment, a snowblower, a server, an asphalt repair PO, and a $116,641.80 invoice; payroll was also approved.","actionData","errors"]

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Economic development director updates commissioners on Orbis facility closure, grant pauses and tourism numbers

Local service providers ask Osage County for continued support; fair organizers request donation

Osage County commissioners approve series of purchase orders, invoices and payroll