News

Governor announces Flora Food Group investing $90M, creating 100 new jobs in Hugoton

ELLY GRIMM

• Leader & Times

Economic development continues to happen throughout the state, including an upcoming project right in Southwest Kansas.

Wednesday, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Flora Food Group, a global food company, has purchased a manufacturing facility in Hugoton. This capital investment of around $90 million and the expected creation of approximately 100 new jobs over the next several years will elevate the workforce in Stevens County, according to a release from the State of Kansas.

U.S. 54 bridge work in Meade County to resume in the spring

Kansas Department of Transportation

U.S. Highway 54 bridge repair work west of Meade has been temporarily shut down for the winter season and will resume in the spring of 2025, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

PBX Corporation & Subsidiary of Sapulpa, Okla., is the contractor on this $847,656.44 project, which, weather permitting, is expected to be completed by June 2025.

For more information, contact Joel Valdez., Area Construction Manager, at (620) 624-4451 or Yazmin Moreno, KDOT Southwest Public Information Officer, at (620) 765-7080.

Operation Round-Up awards funds to multiple entities

Tri-County Electric Cooperative

A small amount of monthly change could make a lifesaving difference.

Simply rounding up the monthly electric bill from Tri-County Electric can help support vital community initiatives like the Baker Fire Department’s recent purchase of new Jaws of Life equipment.

Heartland Flyer in Kansas a step closer to reality

Special to the Leader & Times

WICHITA — The Heartland Flyer is closer to returning to Kansas.

The Amtrak route, which still runs between Fort Worth, Texas and Oklahoma City, used to extend into Kansas until 1979. The Kansas Department of Transportation is exploring restoring the route.

What’s hot for do-it-yourselfers on your Christmas list?

ROBERT PIERCE

• Leader & Times

The weather outside may not be looking frightful yet, but the calendar still shows the Christmas season is in full swing everywhere.

While some having already been to the stores to buy gifts for friends and family, others have not begun purchasing presents, and for those who have a do-it-yourselfer or contractor on their list, Liberal’s Westlake Ace Hardware store has plenty of special gifts for them.