OTTAWA — Ottawa and Franklin County have been unusually successful in attracting new businesses and industries. But the area’s success is its own weakness. The ottawa area has run out of land for new industries, said Blaine Finch, Ottawa-Franklin County Economic Development president. And as the Logistics Park Kansas City intermodal development at Gardner and Edgerton illustrates, it will take a lot of land, he said. Unlike old days, when tracts of three to five acres would be acceptable, many industrial developers are looking for square-mile-sized tracts with utilities and close access to highways and railroads, he said. Ottawa has a great location but more land needs to be available, he said. OFCED is working on that, he said.
Wednesday, May 18, 1:30 p.m.
