LCDC reports steady pipeline, highlights one firm set to locate at Gary Carlson Business Center

Leavenworth County Development Corporation Director Lisa Hack told the Leavenworth City Commission that LCDC is continuing targeted outreach to industrial and commercial firms and has seen a steady pipeline despite headwinds.

"We are Leavenworth County Development Corporation. We're a public private organization," Hack said, summarizing LCDC’s structure and strategy. She said LCDC generated about 60 leads in 2025, of which 35 became prospects, and that in the first quarter of 2026 the organization logged 12 leads with nine prospects and several site submittals.

Hack gave ranges for capital investment and job creation that came through LCDC referrals: projects in past cycles showed estimated capital investment from roughly $20 million up to $1.5 billion with job estimates from the tens into the hundreds. For 2026 she said submitted capital estimates for current prospects ran roughly $40 million to $180 million and projected job creation between about 22 and 450 positions.

The presentation highlighted one project moving toward closing: a Texas-based firm, Thacker Machinery, has agreed to buy a 5‑acre lot at the Gary Carlson Business Center to build a roughly 25,000‑square‑foot facility that Hack said is expected to employ about 50–55 people. "The real estate contract has been signed by both parties and it is all the documents are now being worked on in closing," Hack said.

Hack described LCDC’s core tactics—contracting with a marketing firm, cultivating regional relationships (Team Kansas, Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas City area organizations), and responding to RFIs (requests for information from site selectors). She also described LCDC’s limited staffing and governance: a 25‑member board with a 20/5 private/public sector split and two staff members.

Hack said LCDC and partner agencies track what site sizes are most requested; she noted common requests changed over time and that the Leavenworth Business and Technology Park and the Gary Carlson Business Center are frequent matches for RFI parameters.

She also told commissioners LCDC is retooling its internal work after the county declined to continue prior support: "We're disappointed that the county has decided not to support LCDC or the Port Authority," Hack said, adding LCDC is focusing on expense reductions, strengthening private‑sector participation and identifying additional funding sources.

The commission did not take action; commissioners asked questions about competitiveness of the Business and Technology Park and the practical constraints (rail service, large acreage, airport access) that rule out some projects. Hack said LCDC will continue weekly briefings to city staff and will work with the three contributing cities on a near‑term strategic plan.

Next steps: staff will stay involved as LCDC completes the Thacker Machinery closing and will monitor LCDC’s revived spec/building loan committee, which Hack said has a kickoff meeting scheduled next week.