This is the second story in a weeklong series examining the pending arrival of Panasonic. We also created a printed newspaper special section for sale. Watch our Facebook page for where and when we will have copies available.
Following the groundbreaking of the Panasonic plant and the city’s discussions to build a sports arena, The Times interviewed local residents to ask how they feel about growth coming to the area.
Many took a positive outlook related to jobs, housing, tax revenue and the possibility of other large projects. Join us on our Facebook page to weigh in with your perspective.
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“I think it’s going to be very, very positive. I think it’s going to affect the growth of Eudora, of Douglas County. I think it’s going to positively affect the property taxes, jobs.
And I’m amazed that it’s 9,000 acres. I used to live right over there. I used to live in Clearview. And it’s amazing that it’s connected to Sunflower. I think it’s going to be a very positive thing for Kansas. And, you know, I don’t actually know how much Laura Kelly had to do with it. But, you know, I’m sure she had something to do with it.” – Sheila Bost
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“I think we’re all excited about the growth. You know, I talked to Tim [Reazin,] the mayor, quite some time ago, and I want to embrace growth. But I want it to be smart growth. I don’t want to just be haphazard and without a great plan. I want it to be something that is going to benefit all patrons of Eudora, not just wealthy investors or not just wealthy business owners, but everybody here in the community.
I’m just concerned, you know, whenever a government entity gets involved in development. A lot of times there’s winners and losers based on what they can offer the city. And sometimes that is not always to the benefit of the patrons of the community. A perfect case is the STAR bonds used in Kansas City, Kansas, where they actually used eminent domain and forced people off their property for economic development.” – Anthony Brown
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“To me, I think it’s great because it’ll bring in more people, more revenue. Not to mention that I go to a church in the country and it’s not paved. We’re always messing with dust and stuff, and I think it’ll force them to pave that road, which is a plus for us. You know, that’s what I think. But yeah, why not? We don’t know the future yet. We’ll just have to go in it, and let’s experience it together.” – Ida Meacham
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“It will be positive. Yeah, it’s just gonna be a lot bigger, which for me being retired, maybe that’s good. Maybe that’s bad. But I’m for growth.” – David Becker
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“I think, in general, any growth in Eudora can only be a positive. As far as the Panasonic plant, the chances of it going union are good. Anything that can increase, you know, middle class and home ownership instead of just renters. It’s always good to have more progressive ideals come into an area, and I think Eudora could use that desperately.” – Joe Steffen
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“I think it’s really awesome to be getting more jobs in Eudora. I also think it would probably make Eudora bigger and just the Douglas County area a lot bigger, which is always nice to bring in more people and more jobs.” – Kyleigh Musick
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“My first thought was: it’s going to bring some jobs. So I’m happy about that … they didn’t have to tear anything down to get the plant going and open and whatnot. So there’s no concern there. I don’t really have any negative. I think it’s all positive. It’s going to bring, you know, growth and jobs to the area.” – Debbie Wingebach
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“I mean, I think it could be good in the end. Growth is always a good thing. I grew up in De Soto. And it’s grown, you know, over the years, and it stands to grow with the plant also. You don’t want to lose the hometown feel. But definitely, I think, getting more things, more selection of stores and restaurants and stuff, I think that’s the positive thing.” – Dan Hoschouer
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“If they build a sports pavilion, they need something for kids who don’t do sports. Something for kids that want something like a skating rink, bowling alley, you know, arcade games, that kind of thing.” – Sherry Aldridge
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“I think growth is natural, and it’s good. It brings more revenue and tax dollars to the area. And so I think it’s a positive change. And it’s a few years down the road, so I mean, we can be prepared for it.” – Mindy Dahl
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The first story in our series focuses on how local officials are responding to Panasonic’s pending arrival. Find that story here.
Reach reporter Hannah Nystrom at [email protected].
