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Reno County approves incentive letter for Superior Boiler after debate on pay and program rules
Summary
After public comments from company leaders and neighbors, the Reno County Commission approved a letter of intent for a job-incentive request for Superior Boiler, with a condition that one job cannot draw multiple incentive pools; commissioners asked staff to review the incentive policy.
Reno County commissioners voted to authorize a letter of intent that would allow Superior Boiler (referenced in the agenda as Superior Holding Incorporated) to proceed toward a formal development agreement tied to a job-incentive request. The vote was 4–1 after public comment from neighbors and company leadership and a discussion among commissioners about wage equity and program rules.
County staff told the commission the request is unchanged from the previous meeting: the company projects hiring up to 100 workers; under the county policy, positions paying more than $21 an hour qualify for an incentive of $1,500 per job. Staff said a development agreement would follow the letter of intent and is expected to return to the commission for formal approval at a subsequent meeting in March or early April. Funding for the incentive is available in the county's economic development incentive budget line.
Don Rogers, a neighbor of the Superior facility, urged the commission to support the company, describing Superior as a long-standing local employer that has contributed to the community. "They're a good neighbor for us at the airport," Rogers said. Don Whitman, president and CEO of Superior Boiler, told the board the company recently held a job fair that produced 39 local hires with average starting wages of about $24 and said the firm provides full insurance benefits for employees and their families.
Several commissioners acknowledged the benefit of retaining and expanding local employers while also noting concerns about county pay levels and fairness to other employers and county employees. One commissioner said they had cast a dissenting vote previously and would support the current motion only with a condition to prevent a single job from drawing two separate incentive pools. That condition was included in the motion the board approved.
The roll-call vote recorded Commissioner Parks voting no and Commissioners Vincent, Winger, Bogner and Hurst voting yes. The commission also requested that administration review the job-incentive policy and bring recommended updates back for future consideration.
The commission took no further action at the meeting; staff will draft a development agreement for formal approval at a later date.
