Goodwill plans Newton opening next year

A planned new Goodwill facility is expected to add about two dozen jobs to the Newton community.

Goodwill plans to build on a 2.5-acre lot, just south of the Wal-Mart on South Kansas Road. The deal, brokered by Ron Harder of Re/Max in Newton, was finalized in October.

The nonprofit organization is planning to break ground in the spring and host a grand opening during fall 2016, said Goodwill Industries of Kansas vice president of marketing and development Molly Fox.

“It’s exciting to have Goodwill come to Newton,” said Harder, who also owned the land in the transaction. “There haven’t been any big announcements of major companies coming to Harvey County, but we’ve had a lot of little things and that’s encouraging.”

Harder said he was involved in talks with Goodwill for about six months before the deal was finalized. Once completed, the location – which will feature a space for Goodwill’s day services program for people with developmental disabilities – will represent the organization’s 19th retail store in the state.

Currently, Goodwill stores nearest Newton can be found in Wichita, Salina and Hutchinson. The greater Wichita area is home to nine Goodwill stores.

Goodwill Industries of Kansas president and CEO Emily Compton represented the agency in the deal.

“We heard over and over again that people wanted us to come to Newton,” Compton said. “We’ve actually been looking for the right place for several years.

“The land is ideal for Goodwill because of the growth in that area, and because of easy access for our customers and program participants.”

The organization plans to employ between 20 and 25 full- and part-time workers, with “preference for those with employment barriers,” according to the release.

Goodwill is currently bumping up against capacity for its day services program for adults with disabilities at its location at 3351 N. Webb in Wichita, Fox said. The new facility is being designed by Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture out of Wichita, according to the release.

Compton said the building will encompass about 14,000 square feet of space. Harder and Compton declined to offer information about the financial terms of the agreement.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 6:10 PM with the headline "Goodwill plans Newton opening next year."