A manufacturing firm has formally asked Olathe city officials to back a multiyear financing plan that would support a major expansion on the city's south side and could add as many as 1,000 jobs to the local economy.
Project, bond request outlined in city filings
Faith Technologies — an electrical planning, engineering and renewable energy company based in Menasha, Wisconsin — submitted an application seeking approximately $239.8 million in industrial revenue bonds, according to city records. The company is proposing three single-story manufacturing buildings totaling more than 1.4 million square feet on land southwest of 167th Street and Lone Elm Road, across from its current Olathe address at 21800 W. 167th St.
The bond proceeds would be used for land acquisition, site development, construction and building equipment, the application states. Faith Technologies also has requested a 10-year, 80% property tax phase-in for each of the three new buildings, with the developer providing annual payments in lieu of taxes.
"Faith Technologies produces energy-integrated electrical houses, power systems for data centers, unit substations, generator enclosures, and other electrical power devices."
Jobs, wages and roles
City staff documents accompanying the application include a projected staffing model that would add roughly 1,000 employees, plus between 13 and 20 additional hires over the first decade. The company broke the anticipated positions into categories that include management, office/clerical, professional, skilled and unskilled roles.
- Management: about 200 positions
- Office/clerical: about 67 positions
- Professional: about 67 positions
- Skilled: about 534 positions
- Unskilled: about 133 positions
The city report projects average annual wages beginning at about $56,000 and rising to $60,000 by year 10 of operations.
| Figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bond request | $239.8 million |
| Planned building area | 1.4+ million sq ft |
| Projected jobs | ~1,000 |
| Requested tax phase-in | 10 years, 80% |
Site history and industrial park growth
The land targeted for the project was annexed into Olathe in August 2025 and rezoned in May for industrial use. It now forms part of the Hedge Industrial Park East development located near Interstate 35. Planning documents show the property previously served agricultural and residential purposes; the proposed buildings would feature climate control and overhead doors for truck docking and equipment loading.
Faith Technologies previously announced in 2025 that growing demand for its products was driving expansion plans in Olathe. The company's portfolio includes modular electrical systems and equipment used by data centers and other large electrical installations.
Local impacts and next steps
If approved, the bonds and tax incentive would be reviewed by city staff and would require action by the Olathe governing body. Supporters of such incentive packages argue they encourage job creation and industrial investment; critics often note the long-term reduction in property tax revenue and urge careful analysis of net fiscal benefit.
For Olathe residents, the proposed project raises immediate economic questions: how many of the new positions will be filled by local workers, how quickly construction and hiring will proceed, and what the long-term fiscal tradeoffs are for the city and surrounding school districts. The company's request for a substantial tax phase-in will be a central element of upcoming public discussions and formal city consideration.
City officials have not yet set a public hearing date related to the bond application in the documents provided. The location, scale and employment claims make this a development the community will likely follow closely as it moves through the municipal approval process.
