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Manhattan-area Chamber reports Torgersen expansion, Amazon activity and new childcare facility ribbon cutting
Summary
Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce representatives told Riley County commissioners about a planned Torgersen Electric fabrication facility, active Amazon site work at the business park and a childcare accelerator ribbon cutting scheduled the same week; the chamber noted both projects involve no local tax abatements.
Representatives from the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce updated Riley County commissioners on economic development activity during the Aug. 11 meeting.
Darren Solton, president of the Manhattan Chamber, said the city recently approved the sale of three lots in the business park totaling about 8.5 acres to Torgersen Electric, a Topeka‑based electrical contractor. Solton said Torgersen plans a $5 million fabrication and manufacturing facility that could create as many as 25 jobs for fabrication, administration and support work; the real‑estate transaction still must close.
Solton described active site work by Amazon at the business park with earthmoving underway and said neither project used property‑tax abatements or other local economic development dollars. He provided a rule‑of‑thumb example that every $10 million in new commercial valuation can generate roughly $400,000 in annual property tax revenue, with a portion flowing to the county.
Solton also noted ongoing convenings to support business growth — roundtables for health care, finance, manufacturing/construction and technology — and said the chamber is promoting STEM‑related workforce connections and career‑fair engagement with K‑State and other partners.
Solton said a ribbon cutting for a new accelerated childcare facility north of the hospital was scheduled that afternoon, with state participation; he described the project as provider‑driven and expected to generate seats and small‑business ownership opportunities for local childcare entrepreneurs.
The commissioners received the update; no county action or incentives were proposed in the presentation.
