
WKREDA Quarterly Meeting | December 11-12, 2024 | Wichita, Kansas
January 28, 2025
WKREDA Quarterly Meeting
December 11-12, 2024
Wichita, Kansas
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
1:00pm - Energy and Economic Development Presentation by WKREDA Host ITC.
Speakers included Patrick Woods, Director, Business Affairs ITC and Al Tamimi, Senior Vice President and COO of Transmission, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation. Established in 2006, ITC Great Plains focuses on creating value through partnerships and operates extensive transmission infrastructure across the midsection of 14 states. Key projects, such as the KEDA and B Plan, have enabled economic investments and the integration of new energy sources while supporting local property values and tax revenues. Though ITC is not involved in federal National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, these initiatives aim to streamline large-scale transmission projects.
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Transmission investments, although a small portion of electric bills in Kansas, provide significant economic benefits. In the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which boasts some of the lowest transmission costs per megawatt hour, renewable energy integration demonstrates cost efficiency. Studies highlight that every $1 million invested in transmission can generate $200,000 to $2.9 million in local economic benefits. In Kansas alone, ITC’s activities contribute $29 million in annual spending, supporting 380 jobs and $6 million in tax revenues.
With the end of a 10-year property tax abatement in Kansas in 2023, counties will begin receiving tax revenue from Extra High Voltage (EHV) assets in 2024. Major ITC projects, such as the KEDA Project,and Elm Creek to Summit Project, have bolstered local economies and renewable energy integration. These initiatives connect substantial renewable projects like the Cimarron Bend Wind Farm, which powers 245,000 homes, and the Pixley Solar Generation Facility, which powers 43,000 homes annually.
Dr. Al Tamimi, CEO of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, emphasized the importance of transmission facilities for economic growth and energy distribution, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to modern grids. While Kansas experiences periods of low renewable energy output, investments in infrastructure and renewable energy storage are key to ensuring reliability.
Future investments in the SPP region, totaling $7.6 billion by 2025, aim to connect rich renewable resources in areas like Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma to distant load centers. Despite increased costs due to wind development, efforts by Sunflower have saved Western Kansas consumers $9.9 million annually. Advanced planning and policy alignment are critical to address rapid load growth, extreme weather impacts, and renewable energy integration.
Challenges include balancing generation capacity with demand, the high costs of underground transmission, and the need for extensive storage solutions. AI and national security concerns also intersect with energy challenges, as increased power demand from AI applications strains existing infrastructure. Government incentives for battery storage and renewable energy are essential to meet these demands. Long-term investments in transmission and storage infrastructure will ensure energy availability, alleviate congestion, and support the evolving grid.
2:00pm – Innovation Campus Tour of the John Bardo Center
We explored the applications and challenges of 3D printing, focusing on its role in reverse engineering, creating flight-ready parts, and advancing metallic printing techniques. Key highlights included the use of innovative materials, cost and time efficiencies, and methods like friction-based metal deposition.
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3D printing is widely used to replace broken parts, often requiring reverse engineering to ensure accurate replication. This technology offers quick, efficient solutions for both temporary and permanent replacements.
In aviation, 3D-printed materials must meet FAA standards for flight readiness. Extensive research and testing ensure these parts are safe and reliable, with a focus on components like interior ducting and paneling.
Metallic 3D printing uses metals like titanium and aluminum to create complex parts, while friction-based techniques provide a waste-reducing alternative by precisely shaping melted metal rods.
Despite its benefits, 3D printing faces challenges such as material warping, energy consumption, and the need for public understanding of its capabilities. These hurdles, however, are being addressed as the technology continues to evolve.
The John Bardo Center remains at the forefront of 3D printing innovation, driving advancements that enhance manufacturing and engineering across industries.
3:00pm –EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CENTER TOUR & EMPOWER
The tour highlighted the Evergreen Community Center’s transformation from a former library into a vibrant community hub, made possible through a partnership between Kansas Gas Service and the City of Wichita. Ana Lopez, representing the city, and Ariel Rodriguez from Empower4, a local nonprofit, shared insights on the center’s role in fostering education, financial literacy, and small business development, especially for Wichita’s underserved communities.
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The Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) provides critical resources such as computer access, Wi-Fi, and digital navigation assistance, catering especially to low-income residents. It has supported success stories like a resident earning a GED and pursuing nursing school. By housing multiple organizations, the NRC builds a strong sense of community and offers essential services free of charge.
Empower drives initiatives in education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Wichita’s Hispanic community. Programs include ESL and GED classes, career services, and small business guidance. Empower also offers financial education and a two-to-one savings match program to encourage emergency fund building. Its microloan program provides quick financial relief, preventing reliance on payday loans. Empower is developing a commercial kitchen to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. The facility will include teaching and demonstration areas, prep and baking stations, and spaces for healthy cooking classes. Future plans include transforming a historic theater into a food hall and business hub. The $10 million project aims to open its first phase by early next year, with fundraising ongoing. Empower employs diverse outreach methods, including social media, flyers, radio, and TV, to engage the community effectively. A focus on trial and error has refined their strategy, leading to increased participation in programs and events. Collaboration with media partners ensures broad visibility, while word-of-mouth remains a powerful tool for spreading awareness.
The NRC offers workshops on legal rights and pathways for undocumented individuals, funded entirely by philanthropic contributions to eliminate barriers. Partnerships with organizations like Catholic Charities provide in-depth support, though challenges remain, such as opening bank accounts without Social Security Numbers.
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INNOVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PANEL:
Amber Dunn, Program Manager, Nxtus
Christina Long, President & CEO, Create Campaign
Steve Radley, President & CEO, Network Kansas
Scott Sproul, President & CEO, Innovation Center
A panel discussion explored strategies and progress in fostering entrepreneurship across Kansas, emphasizing collaboration, resource availability, and innovative approaches to support both urban and rural communities. Central themes included the role of exponential networks, child care as a business model, and the impact of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Amber Dunn highlighted Nxtus as a vital resource for startups, promoting equitable access and collaboration with organizations like Create Campaign. Christina Locke emphasized the importance of bridging gaps between entrepreneurs and support networks, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that benefits diverse entrepreneurs. Scott Sproul addressed the unique challenges of rural entrepreneurship, including limited access to resources and the need to build trust. He advocated for a shift from traditional loans to innovative risk-taking strategies to support tradespeople and small businesses in rural areas.
The panel also highlighted the power of exponential networks in driving local initiatives, crediting Kansas’ robust resource availability and effective local execution for its entrepreneurial success. Kansas has excelled in deploying $69 million allocated through the federal SSBCI program, earning a strong ranking in rural and diverse transactions. Local banks, such as the Bank of Hays, were recognized for their effective use of these funds. Additionally, efforts to redefine child care providers as business owners have gained traction, equipping them with financial tools and management strategies. Grant programs in Northwest Kansas have successfully implemented this model, paving the way for replication in other regions.
Innovative initiatives and systemic changes are further advancing entrepreneurship in Kansas. The Create Campaign is fostering sustainable change through entrepreneurship education, offering programs in both English and Spanish that have led to increased LLC formations and higher business incomes. The Enterprise Engagement Series connects early-stage entrepreneurs with enterprise clients, generating significant revenue and valuable business insights. To address market gaps in trades and succession planning, pilot programs are supporting tradespeople in launching businesses with minimal debt, ensuring a sustainable approach to entrepreneurship across the state.
6:00pm – Dinner sponsored by ITC at Chicken and Pickle
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Thursday, December 12th
8:00am – Welcome & Introductions with ITC Sponsor Spotlight
8:30am – WKREDA Business Meeting
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11:00am Applied Learning Walk with Wichita State University
Dr. Shirley Lefever, WSU, Executive Vice President & Provost, Angela Dudley, WSU Senior AVP, Corporate & Foundation Relations, and Dr. Sara Mata, WSU Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Institution spoke about how Wichita State University is advancing several strategic initiatives to address demographic changes, enhance applied learning opportunities, and strengthen industry partnerships. In response to shifting demographics in Kansas, the university is preparing to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a designation that will unlock additional funding opportunities. Wichita State’s priorities center on access and affordability, building a strong talent pipeline, and fostering economic growth. These efforts include a focus on applied learning experiences and partnerships with industries to ensure students are career-ready. Notably, 47% of the university’s Hispanic students are first-generation college attendees, and Wichita State leads as a transfer institution, emphasizing affordability and accessibility for all students.
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Applied learning is a cornerstone of the university’s mission, as evidenced by 9,000 students earning a combined $35 million in paid opportunities last fiscal year through collaborations with industry partners. The Innovation Campus, now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, continues to thrive, while plans for a new Biomedical Campus in downtown Wichita aim to foster collaborative learning and innovation. Retention and graduation rates remain key areas of focus, with the university working to raise its current retention rate of 68.9% to 80%, while also striving to retain graduates within Kansas through robust industry partnerships. Additionally, WSU Tech is expanding its technical training and industry credential offerings, ensuring flexible programs that address workforce needs and support skill development.
In terms of educational and community support initiatives, Wichita State is working to address the lack of resources and representation for the Hispanic community in Western Kansas. Efforts are underway to better understand their needs and integrate them into broader economic opportunities. Partnerships with community colleges like Dodge City and Garden City are being explored to provide technical and general education courses, enabling a smooth transition for students pursuing higher education. For adult learners, hybrid learning models are being evaluated, emphasizing the need for in-person support alongside online courses to accommodate the unique needs of working adults. Throughout these efforts, community engagement remains vital, ensuring that the university collaborates effectively to understand and meet educational needs while enhancing learning experiences.