Please note: Scorpion Biological Services changed its name to Scorpius BioManufacturing in January 2023.
Manhattan, Kansas, has been a diligent supporter of economic development projects since enacting an economic development sales tax in the 1990s.
Since then, Manhattan citizens have voted for multiple economic development initiatives and the Manhattan City Commission has been supportive of jobs projects, with unanimous votes for incentives including job grants and industrial revenue bonds that help abate property and sales taxes.
In April 2022, as part of the recent announcement by Scorpion Biological Services to build a manufacturing site in the community, the commission once again voiced unanimous support, this time for its largest incentive package in history, approving a resolution to negotiate:
Additionally, the Pottawatomie County Commission approved a separate resolution to negotiate a grant of up to $5 million. That vote was unanimous as well.
“Our area elected officials have made it clear that the Greater Manhattan region supports job creation and economic development,” said Jason Smith, president and CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our citizens have renewed our economic development sales tax on multiple occasions so that we can be competitive in the global marketplace.
“These votes should send a message to companies everywhere that we are willing and able to invest in job growth.”
The company is projecting 500 new jobs at a substantial payroll. Scorpius also intends to invest over $600 million.
The local incentive package is on top of the incentives offered by the State of Kansas. Although state officials haven’t released final agreements, the statutory incentives, including High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) and Promoting Employment Across Kansas (PEAK), could exceed $40 million.
Additionally, Evergy is working with Scorpion on an economic development rate for power.
