Go Topeka reports 602 new jobs and $138 million in 2024 capital investment; unveils LINC Innovation Labs design

Go Topeka staff briefed the JEDO board on Feb. 26 with a year‑to‑date dashboard showing 602 new jobs, 790 training participants, and $138 million in capital investment tied to projects the organization supported in 2024. The agency also introduced the name and revised floor plans for the planned Innovation Center, now to be called LINC Innovation Labs.

The presentation gave board members a snapshot of business attraction, workforce activity and small business support that Go Topeka says underpins the county’s economic strategy. Go Topeka’s board chair, Neil Spencer, attended and said he is honored to serve in that role.

Go Topeka highlighted four approved projects in 2024 that together yielded 555 new jobs with an average wage of about $70,000; the organization said it has raised the wage floor for incentive consideration to $50,000. Staff reported an active project pipeline of 24 prospects, chiefly in manufacturing, aviation, data centers and tech, and noted that a number of opportunities are constrained by building availability or facility requirements such as high ceiling heights.

On the Innovation Center project, Go Topeka staff showed updated renderings and said the facility will be named LINC Innovation Labs. Design changes include placing visible labs at the street front so passersby can see non‑proprietary work and adding a cafe and expanded public lobby to encourage community engagement. The presentation also showed a pitch room, co‑working space and flexible lab casework. Go Topeka staff said construction documents are being finalized and the project remains on its planned schedule.

Board members asked about lease terms between JEDO and AIM Investments for space connected to the Innovation Center. Go Topeka staff said the construction contract is solidified and parking arrangements were clarified (four dedicated spots behind the building plus garage and angled parking planned on the east side), but the lease agreement had not yet been signed and would be brought forward with final signatures from JEDO leadership.

Go Topeka gave an update on small business incentive awards and the new business concierge office at 715 Kansas. Staff said awards in 2024 reached a range of industries with accommodation and food services receiving the largest share; several example recipients cited were Bimini (equipment and construction support), Jay Warren Co. (equipment for traffic light installation) and Von Pediatric Dentistry (expansion). Go Topeka staff reported that the average award recipient employed 2.5 people at time of award and that post‑award surveys (23 responses so far) show $2 million in reported investment and 54 net new jobs among respondents.

The agency also previewed a new workforce report and launched an online workforce directory intended to connect job seekers with agencies tailored to barriers such as language or criminal history. Go Topeka said Shawnee County’s working‑age population was about 142,447 at the end of 2024, labor force participation and employment increased year over year, and average wages rose by about $7,500 to roughly $63,463.

Neil Spencer, Go Topeka board chair and owner of Ernest Spencer Metals, told the board: "I appreciate the honor to serve as chairman for Go Topeka." Go Topeka staff closed by saying they will return with lease paperwork and other contract details when they are ready for signature.

Ending: Go Topeka will follow up with the board on final lease documents for the Innovation Center and will continue reporting on the pipeline, small business awards and the workforce directory metrics.