Kansas’ first Coolest Thing Made in Kansas winner, EMP Shield recently announced it will invest $1.9 billion to expand its facilities in Burlington. The expansion will create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually.
EMP Shield won the Kansas Manufacturing Council’s Coolest Thing Made in Kansas competition in 2020 for the devices its makes that protect homes and cars from lightning strikes and electromagnetic pulses
Along with the recently announced Integra Technologies facility coming to Wichita, EMP will apply for funding through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act signed into law last August.
EMP will also be joined by six out-of-state suppliers, creating an additional 1,000 jobs in Coffey County.
“Coffey County appears to really hit the sweet spot for everything requested for CHIPS Act funding,” EMP Shield Founder and Lead Engineer Tim Carty said in a news release. “Everything is falling into place, and the state’s strong support hopefully gets us one step closer to a favorable federal response.”
The technology manufacturer is working with area partners such as Coffey County; Flint Hills Technical College; Allen County Community College; Pittsburg State University; the University of Kansas; Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce; Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Unified School Districts 243, 244 and 245.
“There are workforce development programs already in place that will enable high school graduates and those with two-year degrees to train up and get very high-paying jobs,” Carty said. “This will allow those who grow up here to stay in Kansas, enjoy our quality of life, and not have to go to San Francisco.”
Carty believes the project will make the United States a safer place to live through technology: “That’s a win for everyone,” he expressed.
Presented by FORVIS, the 2023 Coolest Thing Made in Kansas contest will launch in August with two categories – People’s Choice and Coolest Innovation. You can learn more about the annual contest at KansasCool.com.
