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El Dorado Inc. reports new project interest, $7.5M in commercial permits and housing starts
Summary
El Dorado Inc. told the City Commission it responded to six project requests for proposals in the first quarter, reported $7.5 million in commercial building permits and five new residential starts, and said an out‑of‑state manufacturer has selected El Dorado for its first U.S. facility.
An El Dorado Inc. representative told the El Dorado City Commission that the agency has responded to six project requests for proposals in the first quarter of 2025 and is working with a company that has selected El Dorado for its first U.S. facility.
The representative said, “Over the past 3 months, I've responded to 6 different project requests for proposals.” The presentation to the commission summarized project recruitment, commercial and residential permitting, and marketing activities.
El Dorado Inc. reported eight commercial permits issued in the quarter with a combined permit value of $7,500,000. The single largest permit reported was a $6.3 million remodel of the Quail Ridge apartment complex that includes a 1,900‑square‑foot leasing office and a new amenity building. The representative said five new residential housing starts were recorded in quarter 1, representing a total investment of $950,000 and an average home value of $190,000.
On industrial recruitment, the El Dorado Inc. representative said staff engaged with national site selectors and industrial brokers, hosted a visit by Greater Wichita Partnership brokers, and highlighted local strengths such as water supply, land availability and transportation access. The representative said a marketing video is in production with Killer Growth and Sun Grama Realty providing drone footage and that the organization is exploring a master plan for industrial areas.
The presentation noted a moderate income housing grant awarded for the Masonic Building downtown and said the broker for the former Walgreens building anticipates it will be occupied within six months. The representative also summarized regional outreach, participation in the Kansas Economic Development Alliance legislative day and ongoing monitoring of proposed state legislation that could affect economic development incentives.
Commissioners asked brief follow‑ups about the Walgreens property and the continued outreach work. The representative offered to provide additional information outside the meeting and to set up quarterly briefings with commissioners.
Background: El Dorado Inc. is the city's economic development organization that markets local sites and assists with business recruitment and downtown projects. The update was delivered during the “Personal Appearances” portion of the commission meeting and no formal action was taken on the presentation.
