HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An Enid, Oklahoma, company with ties to the area will go before the Hutchinson Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals for a public hearing on a proposed hazardous materials manufacturing and storage facility.
GEO Chemicals, LLC, wants to establish the facility in the lone building left over from the Consolidated Manufacturing property at 1600 N. Halstead. The company is also requesting a setback variance on the property. The public hearing is set for July 23.
But the proposed location may only be temporary. According to GEO Board Chair Jason West, future plans are to build a new facility in the Kansas Enterprise Industrial Park with a possible number of 50 to 100 employees. GEO Chemicals was once the owner of the Jacam Company in Sterling before selling it in 2013. West says this is an opportunity to expand the business footprint beyond central and western Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle.
GEO Chemicals produces chemicals used in oil and gas production with expertise in drilling.
The company was founded by Dr. Gene Zaid, who was also behind Genzada Pharmaceuticals. That company is currently renovating the old Northgate Dillons for its new office complex.
The July 23 public hearing is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Hutchinson city offices.