The commission approved the economic development package for Ultra Electronics I.C.E. Inc., an aerospace electronics business founded in Manhattan that was bought out by a U.K. holding company in 2014. The package was initially approved at commission’s first reading on June 6 and was not altered. Ultra Electronics is looking to expand and relocate some military aerospace programs to a facility in the U.S.
“This is an excellent project,” said Commissioner Wynn Butler. “I especially like it because it supports a local business and doesn’t necessarily bring out an outside business.”
The package offers the company up to $745,000 in economic development assistance for facility construction and hiring incentives to spur job growth. The company is seeking to create 33 new jobs making more than $14.25 per hour over the next 10 years.
“I think this is something we can’t turn away and it’s also very supportive of Kansas State University [and helps]to keep some of our graduates in Manhattan — they always said if they had a good job they would definitely stay in Manhattan,” said Commissioner Usha Reddi.
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