​Examples of Topeka Companies Using the PEAK Program

The Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) program, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, is widely used in Topeka (Shawnee County) for job-creating expansions, relocations, and new facilities—especially in logistics, manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare. While specific company names are not always publicized in broad marketing materials (due to confidentiality in some agreements), recent annual reports and transparency data from the Kansas Department of Commerce highlight several Shawnee County/Topeka-based projects that have signed PEAK agreements or are actively participating.Here are key examples drawn from official sources (primarily the 2024 PEAK Annual Report and related transparency disclosures):

• Topeka Health System, LLC (likely affiliated with a major healthcare provider in Topeka):
  Signed a new PEAK agreement as a new location/start-up project in the general medical and surgical hospitals sector. This qualifies under Shawnee County's metro-area threshold (at least 10 new jobs within two years).
• Torgeson Electric Company, Inc. (Topeka-based electrical contractor):
  Active PEAK agreement for an existing expansion. The company has publicly referenced participation in economic development events tied to job growth incentives, aligning with PEAK's focus on payroll withholding retention for qualified new hires.
• Bettis Contractors, Inc. (Shawnee/Topeka area construction and services firm):
  Active agreement as an existing expansion in the insurance agencies and brokerages or related sector (noted in Shawnee County listings).
• Excel Holdings, LLC (Shawnee Advisors/machine shops or related):
  Active existing expansion in Shawnee County, benefiting from PEAK for job creation/retention.
• THM, LLC (general freight trucking/long-distance, less-than-truckload):
  New location/out-of-state expansion with an active PEAK agreement in Shawnee County, supporting logistics growth in the region.

Broader Context for Topeka

• In FY2024, Shawnee County featured prominently in PEAK activity, with multiple active agreements contributing to the statewide totals: 200 active projects overall, 30,148 PEAK jobs hired/retained, and $2.3 billion in direct annual payroll.
• Companies in Topeka often layer PEAK with local JEDO/GO Topeka incentives (e.g., cash grants, property tax exemptions) for expansions at sites like Central Crossing Commerce Park.
• Larger historical users in the area (e.g., distribution/logistics firms like Target or Home Depot, food manufacturers like Frito-Lay or Bimbo Bakeries) have frequently utilized PEAK or similar job-creation tools during expansions, though exact current PEAK status isn't always itemized publicly for older projects.
• Recent high-profile Topeka/Shawnee incentives (e.g., Security Benefit in financial services or Reser's Fine Foods in food manufacturing) emphasize job creation and high wages, making them strong candidates for PEAK stacking—though not explicitly confirmed in every case.

For the most up-to-date or detailed project lists, the Kansas Department of Commerce publishes annual PEAK reports (e.g., the 2024 report is available at kansascommerce.gov) and a transparency database. GO Topeka can provide tailored insights for specific companies or prospective projects, as they coordinate state and local incentives. If you're interested in a particular sector or company, I can dig deeper!

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Henry McClure 

Time kills deals

785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live