WELCOME

W  hether you are continuing your Olathe Chamber membership or are new to the organization, thank you for your support of our efforts to advance our mission.

The Chamber is the voice of business that advances the economic well-being and quality of life in Olathe. Powered by dynamic volunteers, we serve as a catalyst to bring new jobs to Olathe, improve business, enhance opportunities and build a better community. The Chamber has once again earned five-star accreditation and is the second largest chamber in the Kansas City metro and the largest in Kansas.

We owe a considerable amount of thanks to business community leaders who set a direction of growth and opportunity nearly a century ago when the Chamber was incorporated in 1923. Since then, Olathe has grown exponentially both in quantity and quality. Once a small community disconnected from the metropolitan region, Olathe has grown to be the fourth largest city in the state with a population of more than 144,000. Our city has residents who attend five different award-winning school districts, including Olathe Public Schools, the second largest in the state, and our nationally-recognized Olathe Health continues to meet the diverse health needs of the community.

Olathe offers a broad economic base complete with long-standing small businesses, budding start-ups and corporations that transact internationally. Our partnerships with Digital SandboxKC and Innovation Pavilion have energized a growing entrepreneurial community and sparked technological collaboration. Garmin is an example of a technology company born in Olathe.

I encourage you to engage with the Chamber. There are countless success stories of individuals and businesses who have achieved success through their involvement in the Chamber. Whether it’s inspiration gained from a networking event, information learned through a business lunch series, incentives secured through the economic development council or the opportunity to affect positive legislation, your chamber is here for you.

There is strength in numbers. Join us in helping to build an even better Olathe.

Sincerely,

Tim McKee

Olathe Chamber CEO

CVB Advisory Council

Joe Burger

Chair, Kansas State Youth Soccer

Alexis Potter

Chair-Elect, ROKC Climbing, Yoga & Fitness

Kelce Ahern

Homefield USA

Lynn Bates

Embassy Suites

Allison Calvin

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

JonAllen Cocumelli

Ts2 Hospitality

Lorna Daganaar

City of Olathe

Todd Garrett

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Brett Horton

Johnson County Community College

Dan Janssen

The Rub BBQ

Andrea Joslin

Ernie Miller Nature Center

Barb Newman

Pinot’s Palette

Kelly Peetoom

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Jandee Rohr

Courtyard by Marriott

Tim Talbott

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm

GARMIN OLATHE MARATHON COMMITTEE

Rob Bens

Environmental Advisors and Engineers, Inc.

Gwen Boone

Olathe Running Club

Allison Calvin

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Susie Carson

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Chris Godwin

Academy Bank

Jayme McLean

Garmin

Kelly Peetoom

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Petrehn

Airshare

Josh Sales

Kennedy Jenks

Ron Schroeder

Intouch Solutions

EDC Advisory Council

John Bacon

City of Olathe

Jerry Barrios

Atmos Energy

Michael Berenbom

Lane4 Property Group, Inc.

Wayne Burke

Spring Hill School District USD 230

Brooke Cinalli

bc Design Group

Charles Clinton

Burns & McDonnell

Scott Coup

Enterprise Bank & Trust

Sterling Cramer

Olsson, Inc.

Joe Fangman

Evergy

Kurt Fischer

INTRUST Bank/Olathe

David Gonzalez

Fry-Wagner Moving & Storage

Oscar Healy

Opus Group

Chris Hess

McCownGordon Construction

Moira Holland

A.L. Huber

Stan Holm

Olathe Medical Center - Olathe Health

Brian Johanning

Superior Bowen Asphalt Company

Mike Kellam

McClure Engineering Company

Debbie Kirchhoff

Kansas State University Olathe

Shannon Latham

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Carol Lehman

Johnson County Community College

Brent McCune

COBLE MCCUNE Wealth Management, Inc.

Tim McKee

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Mary Moore

Pulse Design Group

Aimee Nassif

City of Olathe

Kelly Peetoom

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Penny Postoak Ferguson

Johnson County Government

Gina Riekhof

Gilmore Bell, P.C.

Ron Shaver

City of Olathe

Susan Sherman

City of Olathe

Alan Shorthouse

City of Olathe

Barry Sullivan

Central Bank of the Midwest

Heidi Thummel

GBA Companies

Casey Wilhm

Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Michael Wilkes

City of Olathe

Marcia Youker

JE Dunn Construction Co.

Brent Yeager

Olathe Public Schools

BUSINESS CLIMATE

Olathe businesses have a bright future

The confluence of three important characteristics has led to a continued hot streak for the Olathe Economic Development Council, and the future continues to look bright.

Olathe Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim McKee said business-supportive city officials and city council members, along with a very diverse business landscape and a top-rated school system, combine to make Olathe an outstanding place for businesses to operate.

McKee said the City of Olathe has long been pro-business and that the continuity and longevity of many elected and hired city officials has allowed economic growth to occur more efficiently and quicker than in other communities.

“We are a community that is open to business,” McKee said. “There is a very good working relationship with our Chamber organization and members of the city council and mayor and staff. We all are a very cohesive partnership.”

Having a strong mix of business types has also allowed the local economy to continue to grow even when certain events negatively impact a specific industry. Because Olathe boasts robust retail, office market, industrial and residential offerings, it is well insulated to weather situations even as severe as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have some really significant yet diverse large employers,” McKee said. “But we’re also very entrepreneurial. We are constantly looking for that next successful company currently building whatever their product is out of their garage or basement.”

And finally, with Olathe’s education system being traditionally top-notch, employers are attracted to the community because of the homegrown career-ready workforce.

“That is one reason that we’ve had nationally and internationally recognized companies locate to Olathe, and that’s why incredible companies continue to grow their workforce in Olathe,” McKee said.

Olathe’s downtown is included in the ongoing momentum. The $200 million Johnson County Courthouse sparked a boom of redevelopment that includes the 228-unit, $36 million Arrello midrise apartment project. And in early 2023, a new downtown library will open its doors.

Just as a high tide lifts all boats, a strong business community offers numerous benefits to Olathe’s residents.

“It helps with our tax base,” McKee said. “It helps us to have the best schools, the best roads, the best police and fire departments. It provides for our citizens the best jobs. It’s not like it’s only the best office or retail jobs. We provide that diversity across our employment base. Whatever job that individual is looking for, there should be an opportunity to find it in their backyard. We’re really fortunate to be the community that we are.”