Topeka and Lawrence will look at each other with fresh eyes to understand how the cities can work together. On Friday morning, the Greater Topeka Partnership and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce announced the 2023 Topeka-Lawrence “City Swap” event. The effort is aimed to bring together business leaders, community stakeholders and elected officials to tour each city. The two-day event will be Oct. 12 in Topeka and Oct. 13 in Lawrence and will feature speakers, networking and opportunities to learn about the exciting developments in each community.
Source: CJonline

In Saline County, like much of the nation, childcare availability is diminishing for families. [Kathi] Barton doesn’t like turning people away, but she’s only licensed for so many children. “With a waiting list a mile long, we get people who call in tears, crying that they can’t find anybody,” Kathi Barton said. “They just don’t know what to do.” As of early 2023, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 fewer available childcare spaces than needed in Saline County, according to data from Childcare Aware, a statewide resource and referral agency. Meanwhile, local childcare centers and at-home providers alike are operating at capacity. While at home providers face their own unique challenges, care facilities are having trouble hiring staff due to poverty level wages, among other issues.
Source: Salina Journal

Progress continues at a steady pace at the new Saline County Jail, and with five months to go before it’s expected to be complete, the county continues its recruiting efforts to staff it. County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes shared a project update this week, with an appeal to the public for ongoing recruiting efforts. Much of recent discussions among county officials about the new jail facility has been about the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to fully staff certain parts of the building. The department has been shorthanded at its current facility on 10th Street, and plans for the new facility included additional programming for inmates.
Source: Salina Journal

The largest frozen pizza plant in the world is now officially open after the Schwan’s Company celebrated the completion of a major expansion to its Salina facility Friday. Schwan’s Company CEO Dimitrios Smyrnios said he often lives a fast-paced life, but when he woke up Friday morning he knew, because of the years-long process that brought the company to this moment, that it was a special day to take things slow. “(I wanted) to enjoy every little minute of this accomplishment,” Smyrnios said. In the works since at least 2019, Smyrnios said this accomplishment was a proud moment for everyone who instrumental in making the 400,000-square-foot expansion a reality.
Source: Salina Journal