Topeka, KS – February 11, 2026 — A potential new manufacturing operation in Topeka is generating early buzz in local economic development circles, with a proposal for a 125,000-square-foot facility featuring 35-foot ceilings, preferably located near rail access.
The project, represented by Henry McClure of MCRE, LLC, and the Henry McClure Collective, targets the creation of 150 new jobs with starting wages of $42 per hour — well above the regional average for manufacturing roles. The facility would focus on panel production and a cabinet shop, projecting $100 million in annual sales from the panel side and an additional $10 million from the cabinet operations, for a combined $110 million in yearly revenue.
The proposal was outlined in a recent letter to Leigha Boling, the City of Topeka's Director of Economic Development. Boling, who assumed the role earlier this year after serving as Procurement Director, oversees initiatives to attract and support business growth in the capital city.
If realized, the project aligns with Topeka's ongoing push to bolster its manufacturing sector. Recent expansions — such as HF Rubber's addition of 19 jobs with a projected $71 million regional impact, PTMW Inc.'s creation of nearly 200 positions and $1.3 billion over 10 years, and other investments in facilities like Haas Metal Engineering — highlight the area's appeal for industrial projects. Statewide, Kansas continues to emphasize advanced manufacturing through incentives like the Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK) program, which allows qualifying businesses to retain significant portions of payroll withholding taxes for new jobs.
Estimated Economic Boost for Topeka
Preliminary analysis suggests strong potential returns:
- Direct Payroll: Approximately $13.1 million annually (based on 150 jobs at $42/hour full-time equivalent).
- Total Economic Output: Using conservative multipliers common in Kansas manufacturing studies (2.5–3.7x), the $110 million in sales could generate $275–$410 million in broader regional activity each year through supply chains, vendor spending, and employee respending.
- Job Multiplier Effect: Direct jobs often support 1–5 additional indirect/induced positions in retail, services, and logistics — potentially pushing total employment impact to 450–900 jobs.
- Tax Revenues: A facility valued around $18–20 million (at typical industrial construction costs) could contribute roughly $600,000–$700,000 annually in property taxes under current Shawnee County and Topeka mill levies (city portion ~37–38 mills). Additional sales tax from increased local spending could add $500,000+ yearly, with the city's share in the low six figures.
Topeka and Shawnee County's Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) frequently approves performance-based incentives for projects that meet job creation and investment thresholds. While no incentives have been requested or discussed publicly for this proposal yet, similar deals have offered support for workforce training, property improvements, and job creation milestones.
The preference for rail-adjacent sites underscores the importance of logistics in modern manufacturing, potentially tying into Topeka's existing rail infrastructure advantages.
Details remain preliminary, and the project would require site selection, permitting, and possible incentives through GO Topeka and JEDO. If it moves forward, it could represent one of the larger job-creating manufacturing announcements in the region in recent years, adding high-paying roles and substantial economic ripple effects to the community.
For more information on economic development opportunities in Topeka, visit the City of Topeka or GO Topeka websites. Updates on this proposal will be monitored as discussions progress.
Henry McClure
Time kills deals
785-383-9994
www.henrymcclure.live
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