BY KRISTA KLAUS, Managing Editor
Published in 10.11.17 edition of the MetroWire Media email newsletter

The City of Gardner has approved a 615,600-square foot manufacturing, distribution and call center facility in Midwest Commerce Center, a 155-acre, $160 million industrial park adjacent to New Century AirCenter in Southwest Johnson County.

The $38 million project, known as “Project School,” will employ 250 by the end of its first three years of operation, according to Gardner City Administrator Cheryl Harrison-Lee.

“After all our planning efforts, we are now realizing the fruits of our labor as businesses and developers continue to invest private money into the City of Gardner,” Harrison-Lee said. “Through ‘Project School,’ the city can anticipate additional full-time and part-time jobs, which will ultimately influence increased housing and retail development.”

The Gardner City Council in September adopted a resolution approving the issuance of industrial revenue bonds for the project with final approval expected in March.

LS Commercial is developing Midwest Commerce Center, which also is home to a 1.1 million square foot Coleman product distribution center. The industrial park is master planned for five buildings totaling 2.3 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space.

“Southwest Johnson County has seen tremendous growth over the past several years. The City of Gardner and Midwest Commerce Center are a gateway to all that industrial activity. Congrats to Paul Licausi and his team at LS Commercial for helping Gardner land this project,” said Greg Martinette, president of the Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation.