Latest news with #BlakeBenson
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New data center coming to southeast Kansas
PITTSBURG, Kan. — A new data center coming to southeast Kansas will generate sales tax and franchise fees in exchange for the big energy it will take to operate. 'Last several months have been spent prepping the site because, again, it takes a lot of electricity,' said Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President. Wildcat Data Infrastructure, a Texas company, is building the first data storage facility in the Industrial park near the Pittsburg Airport 'Data centers, are facilities that housed much data storage. They house computer applications. And they're becoming more and more necessary,' said Benson. Crawford County seeks community input for new growth plan New data center coming to southeast Kansas PSU's Center for Reading hosting educational summer camp for kids KDOT hosting Hwy 69 improvement meetings this week for Crawford County resident input Southeast Kansas sheriff quips, 'We saved the 4th of July' The idea was proposed to the City Commission back in late January. Now, the company and the city are working with Evergy to expand the electrical infrastructure at the site on 10 acres of land. 'Data centers are becoming more and more attractive economic development projects for communities like Pittsburg because we really as far as city utilities are infrastructure. They didn't need much. They needed a lot of electricity,' said Benson. While a significant amount of energy is being used, it will also generate sales tax and franchise fees for the city. 'It'll generate about $10,000 a month in sales tax on that electricity and also a franchise fee that the city collects on electricity. That'll be about another 10,000. So all in all, it will generate about $20,000 a month,' said Benson. Phase I of the project will include several modular buildings, that are not yet on site. 10 megawatts of energy is enough to power 2,000 homes a day. As for phase 2 of the project… 'Then the second phase calls for that to go to a 50 megawatt project. And when that happens, most likely they'll combine it into one facility,' said Benson. Benson says phase I of the project should be complete by the end of Summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas Board of Regents selects Pittsburg, Dodge City members to lead higher education board
Blake Benson, left, the president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. was selected to serve as chairperson of the Kansas Board of Regents in the upcoming fiscal year. He will replace Regent Carl Ice, sitting, as chairman of the higher education board. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — A Pittsburg economic development professional and a Dodge City public school diversity and language director were chosen to lead the Kansas Board of Regents during the upcoming fiscal year. Blake Benson was elected to serve as chairperson of the nine-member public higher education board, while Diana Mendoza was selected as vice chairperson. The board has governance authority over six state universities and a coordination role with Washburn University in Topeka and the state's technical and community colleges. Both were appointed to the state Board of Regents in 2022 by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. 'Higher education is a powerful tool capable of transforming individual lives and uplifting entire communities,' said Benson, president of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce. 'I look forward to working with my fellow regents, our Kansas colleges and universities and our external stakeholders to continue to leverage the system's strengths for the benefit of all Kansans.' He is in the 28th year of economic development work, and previously held positions in chamber of commerce organizations in Rogers and Fort Smith in Arkansas. He earned a journalism degree at Arkansas State University and a master's degree in business from Pittsburg State University. Benson replaced chairman Carl Ice, the retired chief executive officer of BNSF Railway, and a graduate of Coffeyville Community College and Kansas State University. Mendoza, executive director of diversity and English for speakers of other languages in the Dodge City school district, works with teachers to develop best practices for the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students. She leads an effort to support migratory youth. She said she was committed to making higher education beneficial to Kansas families and a contributing influence on the state's economy. 'Guided by the Board's strategic plan, Kansas colleges and universities are making significant strides in areas such as affordability and student success,' Mendoza said. She earned bachelor and master degrees in education at Kansas State University. She is seeking a doctorate in curriculum and instruction at Kansas State.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pittsburg leaders push for progress at Kansas capitol
PITTSBURG, Kan. — From southeast Kansas to Topeka — Pittsburg leaders are hoping to tackle new goals in 2025. Chamber of Commerce representatives met with state lawmakers at the state capitol this week. They're hoping to bring attention to things like construction on Highway-69 — expanded childcare capacity — and improvements at Pittsburg State. Pittsburg leaders push for progress at Kansas capitol Pittsburg State alum among finalists for Kansas Court of Appeals Pittsburg teachers receive grant funding through foundation Pittsburg School District notifies parents about ICE protocols Albers Marine 19th Annual Fishing & Hunting Show held in Southeast Kansas Chamber President Blake Benson told us today that connecting in-person is even more important than ever in 2025. 'The session in Kansas is quite a bit shorter. The legislature is trying to get it done in 90 days. And in the past it can drag out over four or five months. So they're being very aggressive with their timeline. So it's even more important that we're there as often as we can,' said Benson. Leaders at the Pittsburg chamber would also like to see the legislature tackle Medicaid expansion this session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
