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JEDO board approves audits, two manufacturing incentives and 2026 Go Topeka budget
Summary
The Joint Economic Development Organization board unanimously approved unmodified FY24 audit opinions for Go Topeka and JADA, two incentive packages for existing manufacturers totaling $557,000, the Go Topeka 2026 budget and a $13.6 million cash carryforward agreement.
The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board voted unanimously Dec. 10 to accept auditors’ reports, approve two incentive packages for existing manufacturers and adopt the Go Topeka 2026 budget and related cash carryforward plan.
Cynthia Darding, partner in charge of the Go Topeka audit, told the board the auditors had “rendered an unmodified opinion on Go Topeka's financial statements for fiscal year 24” and found no uncorrected misstatements or significant policy changes. Emily Sheldon, principal with BT and Co., reported a similar unmodified opinion for the JADA (JEDO) audit and said JADA's financial statements were “presented fairly in all material respects.”
Votes at a glance - Approval of Sept. 10, 2025 meeting minutes — motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Approval of Go Topeka and JADA (JEDO) FY24 audits — motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Incentive: "Project Team" (existing Shawnee County food manufacturer) — staff requested $383,000 in incentives tied to performance; motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Incentive: "Project Vulcan" (existing Topeka manufacturer) — staff requested $174,000 to support $1.6 million planned investment and an expected 19 new jobs over five years; motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Approval of the 2026 Go Topeka budget and business plan — motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Approval of 2025–26 cash carryforward agreement in the amount of $13,600,000 — motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes. - Resolution granting a waiver of the residency requirement in section 4b of the JEDO service contract number 201901 for a named employee — motion carried; roll call 6–0 yes.
Josh Patterson, Go Topeka chief financial officer, summarized key budget items including modest programming increases for business attraction and small-business innovation, an increase in depreciation tied to the Link Innovation Labs build-out and continued use of carry-forward funds. Patterson said the carryforward estimate of $13.6 million reflects committed incentive contracts ($7.7 million) and earmarks approximately $3.0 million as unallocated for future investments.
On incentives, staff described Project Team as a $20.5 million renovation and expansion by an existing food manufacturer that currently employs over 380 people with an average salary of about $74,000. For Project Vulcan, staff said the company plans $1.6 million in investments and expects to add 19 jobs over five years with salaries in the $50,000–$80,000 range.
The board recorded each vote by roll call and all listed motions passed by a unanimous 6–0 tally. The meeting adjourned after presentations and two public comments that were not acted upon.
