Olathe land donation is major event for KSU and Kansas

Thursday’s announcement that the city of Olathe would donate approximately 100 acres of prime land to Kansas State University and the Kansas Bioscience Authority is a truly major development.

First, it shows the commitment and vision of Olathe officials to have their city be a leader in the up-and-coming field of bioscience-related research and business development.

This gift of land, valued at between $8 million and $10 million, has set an example for all other Kansas communities. It will cause residents of other cities, Lawrence included, to ask their elected officials what they are doing to plan for their cities’ futures.

Olathe officials made it clear this gift of land and the dream of subsequent high-tech and bioscience-related business will provide attractive job opportunities for Olathe area residents. Olathe officials are proud and enthused about the excellence of their public school system, and they want better jobs for graduates of their schools.

The ability of KSU to establish a beachhead in Johnson County – and in such a prime location – is a landmark event in the history of the university. In fact, at a gathering the evening before the public announcement, a happy and proud KSU President Jon Wefald said, “This is the most important event for Kansas State University in all the years I have been in Manhattan.”

The memo of understanding on the land gift calls for 55 of the 95 acres to be given to the Kansas Bioscience Authority and 40 acres to KSU. It is understood, however, there could be agreements between the two parties to make relatively minor adjustments in how the overall site is developed.

Olathe and Johnson County officials such as Mayor Michael Copeland, Johnson County Commission Chairwoman Annabeth Surbaugh, State Sen. Karin Brownlee, State Rep. Arlen Siegfreid and Olathe Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Tim McKee all played a significant role in this project. Members of the Olathe City Council have given their unanimous support for the plan, which is expected to be finalized next week.

Without this support from key Olathe and Johnson County officials, it is unlikely the project would have unfolded as it did. However, it should be noted there was the possibility of an individual making a gift of substantial acreage in the Olathe area for use by KSU and the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

Unfortunately there were several individuals who wanted to throw roadblocks in front of the Olathe effort, saying they would work against the plan if certain special-interest requirements weren’t met. Some didn’t want KSU to have such an ideal and visible site in Olathe. They wanted KSU’s presence to be limited to a location on the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant site.

The gift of land is the result of a true team effort. However, the prime leader, the true visionary in the project is Clay Blair, chairman of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. Blair is a major Johnson County real estate developer with a tremendous interest in education, a former Kansas Board of Regents chairman and the individual who donated the land for the Kansas University Edwards Campus in Johnson County.

Blair is a dreamer and an individual who can figure out how to accomplish something when others would simply say, “I just don’t know how we can get this done,” or “I don’t see how we can arrange the financing for this project.” Blair can, and does, figure out how to turn a dream into a reality.

As chairman of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, he has worked tirelessly to develop contacts and relations with companies throughout the country, as well as abroad, that might be interested in moving to Kansas. He is committed to having the authority do what it can to provide good jobs for Kansans, to encourage entrepreneurship, to keep talented young Kansans in Kansas, to provide financial assistance to qualified Kansas businesses so they can expand and grow and to strengthen the economic health of the state. He wants to work closely with the researchers, scientists and faculty at all Kansas universities.

The Kansas Bioscience Authority is just wrapping up its first full year of operation, and there are numerous internal matters and details to be finalized. However, the authority’s record to date is impressive.

More than 2,000 jobs have been created through the authority’s efforts, and at least another 2,000 jobs are on the horizon with companies now giving serious consideration to starting new businesses or expanding their operations in Kansas.

More than a dozen companies now are working with the authority on possible developments in Kansas. It should be noted that Kansas Department of Commerce officials often work with the bioscience authority in identifying potential companies who have indicated an interest in Kansas.

Two Kansas legislators – Rep. Kenny Wilk of Lansing and Sen. Nick Jordan of Shawnee – played a leading role in putting together the authority. These men had the vision and leadership, and no one could do a better job of leading the venture than Blair. Money for the authority comes from the growth of bioscience businesses in Kansas, and a percentage of the income taxes generated by those businesses.

It is a unique plan, and all Kansas legislators deserve the thanks of Kansans for approving this program. It has been good for Kansas, and it is working. New jobs have been created, entrepreneurs and small businesses have been strengthened, and the future looks bright. And it is either a stroke of good luck, good fortune or sound planning that Blair serves as the authority’s chairman.

Once more, congratulations and thanks to Olathe and Johnson County officials for the gift of land, and best wishes to KSU in its development and use of this choice site in nearby Johnson County.