This afternoon, we had a productive conversation with the Caterpillar Real Estate team, who confirmed that Solar Turbines—a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar—will be taking over the Wamego facility.
The Wamego Caterpillar facility is officially on the market, with the listing going live in mid-November through Colliers, the commercial real estate agency hired by Caterpillar.
Cities and counties across the nation are increasingly interested in offering incentive programs for housing projects to address pressing challenges related to affordability, workforce retention, and economic growth. Cities and counties across the nation are increasingly interested in offering incentive programs for housing projects to address pressing challenges related to affordability, workforce retention, and economic growth.
The term “moderate income housing” refers to housing options that are affordable to households earning a moderate income, generally defined as those earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI). This range varies by location, as it’s based on the local cost of living and income levels.
Further, “workforce housing” refers to housing options that are affordable to households earning between 60% and 120% AMI.
Housing numbers haven’t grown enough over the last five years to keep up with previously projected growth populations. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Pottawatomie County had 10,400 units in 2023. According to Plan Pottawatomie County 2040 (the County’s strategic plan), we will require 14,162 housing units to accommodate the median population projection of 34,971 people. As it stands, to catch up, we need 235 new units per year now through 2040 to meet the needs for that population projection.
The current childcare shortage in the United States is a multifaceted issue stemming from a combination of economic, social, and policy-related factors.
Attainable housing is a foundational element of economic development. Community involvement in promoting attainable housing ensures that the local economy remains competitive, resilient, and inclusive, while supporting the long-term growth and well-being of the community.
Plan on attending the Community Career Fair on Wednesday, August 28th from 10am to 4pm at Iron Clad at 427 Lincoln Ave. in Wamego. This event, cohosted by Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC), Wamego Chamber of Commerce, and KansasWorks will feature employers from across the region.
We want to provide the community with an update on the ongoing efforts in response to the closure of Caterpillar’s Wamego facility. The impact of this closure on our community cannot be overstated, and we are dedicated to helping every affected employee and family through this transition. The Wamego Caterpillar Facility notified their employees on Thursday afternoon, June 6, that the plant will close mid-2025.
The Wamego Caterpillar Facility notified their employees on Thursday afternoon, June 6, that the plant will close mid-2025.
