With childcare shortages and rising costs putting pressure on employees, and even keeping some out of the workforce entirely, employers have a unique opportunity to attract talent with childcare benefits. For employers that may be interested in offering these benefits, there are tax credits available to help fund that effort.
The initial economic data for Pottawatomie County is strong, with a steady labor force around the upper 13,000s (although it peaked to 14,001 in February), and sales tax revenues increasing over the same quarter last year. Home sales were also fairly strong for the early spring months, with the Q1 2026 home sales count outpacing the same from 2025 by ten sales.
Public interest in Beltline Energy’s proposed Pottawatomie County data center project has generated a number of questions from residents and elected officials. To help address those questions and provide additional information to the community, Beltline Energy submitted written responses. We are sharing those responses below to help inform the ongoing discussion.
Data centers have become an increasingly important part of modern infrastructure as more aspects of daily life, business, and government operations rely on digital technology.
From streaming movies and storing photos online to cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), online banking, healthcare systems, and remote work, many of the services people use every day depend on data centers operating behind the scenes.
Site selection is typically based on several factors, including power infrastructure, fiber connectivity, land availability, tax policy, water access, and local planning processes. In Kansas, Pottawatomie County and the Greater Manhattan region contain several characteristics that may align with some of those criteria.
The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) is designed to help communities take a structured, data-driven look at their local housing conditions and needs. The following highlights from the St George HAT can inform the development of housing projects and are a key requirement for developers seeking support through programs like the Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID), Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grants, and other public resources aimed at addressing housing challenges.
Communities across the United States are increasingly being approached with data center development opportunities, driven by rapid growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. Pottawatomie County and the Greater Manhattan region are now part of that conversation.
This reference guide provides a clear, fact-based foundation to help local leaders evaluate whether—and under what conditions—data center development aligns with regional priorities.
Communities across the United States are increasingly being approached with data center development opportunities, driven by rapid growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. Pottawatomie County and the Greater Manhattan region are now part of that conversation.
This reference guide provides a clear, fact-based foundation to help local leaders evaluate whether—and under what conditions—data center development aligns with regional priorities.
Axiota Animal Health has officially named Wamego, Kansas as its global headquarters, formalizing what has long been a critical hub for the company’s manufacturing, research, and scientific operations. While the move may appear incremental on paper, it represents something much larger: a validation of the region’s growing influence in the future of biomanufacturing and animal health.
Wamego manufacturer Dymax Inc. is demonstrating how employer-led childcare support can strengthen recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. Read how this scalable model offers a replicable strategy for regional employers focused on talent attraction and economic resilience.
