On the surface, US Senator Jerry Moran’s visits to Emporia and Burlington may not have in common — but when you factor in Moran’s groundbreaking ceremony appearance at a multi-billion-dollar semiconductor facility and a stop at Flint Hills Technical College, the project’s higher education partner — the link becomes readily apparent.
Before heading to Coffey County Airport for the groundbreaking, Moran met with Flint Hills Technical College administrators, local business representatives and members of the Kansas Teacher of the Year traveling team. He says the college’s role in developing a highly-trained workforce can’t be understated with a project of this magnitude.
Flint Hills Technical College President Caron Daugherty used her time in part to discuss the college’s combination of burgeoning programs and limited space.
Moran is also interested in connecting Flint Hills Technical College to different grant opportunities or other funding sources to help the college meet the need — and in making sure funding through Pell Grants or other means are available for students so they can get the training they need to meet different workforce demands.
Secure Semiconductor Manufacturing is supplying semiconductor components for EMP Shield, based in Burlington, and other semiconductor producers across the country. SSM is also planning to offer rapid prototypes for other manufactures, both for private-sector businesses and the US Department of Defense.
SSM is building a 30,000 square-foot facility, with a capital investment of $20 million planned. The goal is start with over 60 jobs and expand positions later.
The SSM development is among the highlights of the state’s economic development approach through the federal CHIPS Act — and it’s one of five related companies to locate in Coffey County by FLMST Capital Management, based in Hazard, Kentucky.
