Montgomery County Action Council reports $22 million Spears Manufacturing expansion and housing push

Melissa Johnson, executive director of the Montgomery County Action Council (MCAC), briefed the commissioners on 2026 accomplishments and the council's plans for 2027. She said MCAC supported Spears Manufacturing's $22,000,000 expansion and a KDOT economic-development grant that aided an associated rail-spur expansion.

"We were able to help Spears Manufacturing with the process of their $22,000,000 investment in Montgomery County," Johnson said, and she said the completed facility will move into a hiring phase that could add approximately 170 jobs over five years. Johnson also described MCAC's work to certify seven shovel-ready sites across the county (investment of roughly $182,000 in due diligence) and ongoing efforts to recruit business, assist small businesses through the SBDC partnership, and expand housing supply via a countywide housing subcommittee.

Johnson also told the commission MCAC had absorbed a 37% reduction in county funding and will eliminate one staff position; she urged commissioners and community leaders to participate in upcoming outreach and a public-officials needs-assessment focus group. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about coordination with cities and state recruitment processes; Johnson urged better two-way communication and pledged to maintain confidentiality for prospective projects when appropriate.