Sale of city-owned building in Chanute : Job retention vs. recruitment

Chanute commissioners received two offers, raised a counter proposal, and are now waiting to see if the other players will call or fold.

The stakes are economic development and privatizing a manufacturing plant at 615 W. Cherry. The players are a long-time Chanute manufacturer and a new business looking to come to town. For now, the winner remains undetermined.

Chanute Regional Development Authority Director Matt Godinez said both offers look good, and he thinks both companies are sound and will do what they promise. He said that the issue seems to be between job retention versus recruitment.

“It’s almost personal taste which one you want to lean towards,” he said.

“We all want the same thing,” Commissioner Phil Chaney said, which is to bring jobs.