Garmin Expansion to Double Olathe Work Force

A proposed 700,000-square-foot expansion that would double the work force at the headquarters of Garmin is on the agenda tonight for the Olathe Planning Commission. If approved, the facility would be built on the  northwest corner of 151st Street and Ridgeview Road.

In advance of that meeting, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce has announced its backing for the project, with a statement released today by hief Executive Officer Tim McKee. “Garmin is an international corporation that could have chosen to expand anywhere in the world,” he said. “But the company’s leadership is once again affirming its commitment to our community and region with this expansion.”

The project would generate a tremendous economic impact on the region, McKee said, creating space for roughly 2,700 jobs–about double the current Garmin employee count in Olathe. That, McKee said, would “solidify us as one of the most advanced technology centers in the nation. While we know the jobs will not be created overnight, we believe it will create a ripple-effect for the area and further strengthen our economy and provide opportunity to our citizens.”

In addition to its line of GPS systems for cars, trucks, boats and planes, the company also makes wearable fitness devices and other tracking systems.