TOPEKA (KSNT) – A large Topeka employer is set to expand its operations in the Capital City, adding new high-paying jobs to the local area.
The Joint Economic Development Organization voted in favor of an incentive package on Feb. 11 for the benefit of HF Rubber, a local manufacturing company. JEDO approved the $147,000 incentive package to help accelerate HF Rubber’s plans to expand operations in Topeka.
HF Rubber is looking to add 19 new jobs to the area over the next five years that have annual wages ranging between $50,000 and $80,000. The company’s expansion is expected to generate an estimated $71 million economic impact in the local area, according to an IMPLAN analysis.
GO Topeka said the project underscores Topeka’s position as a competitive hub for advanced manufacturing, in part due to the forecasted 415% return on investment.
“HF Rubber is a clear example of how strategic partnerships can fuel growth in key industries,” said Rhiannon Friedman, president of GO Topeka. “This expansion strengthens our manufacturing base, creates high-quality jobs, and demonstrates the confidence local employers have in Topeka’s future.”
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JEDO’s incentive package includes performance-based support for real property investment, equipment purchases, workforce training and job creation. These incentives will complement the company’s large capital investment of $1 million in real property and $600,000 in equipment.
“This investment allows us to better serve our clients with enhanced capabilities while creating new opportunities for our employees,” said John Adams, executive VP of HF Rubber Machinery. “We’re proud to invest in Topeka, a community that has supported us for over 65 years, and we look forward to contributing to its continued economic vitality.”
The new investment by HF Rubber is expected to further help position the Capital City as a leader in industrial innovation while also supporting the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Momentum 2027 strategic plan, according to GO Topeka.
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