By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Blizzard Energy has been “cooking” tires in Great Bend since 2015.
Extracting materials from tires in a process called pyrolysis, the company
breaks down the tires through heat. The business, located near the Great Bend
Municipal Airport, suspended its operations since the COVID-19 pandemic due to
a workforce shortage.
Blizzard Energy’s 10-year lease is set to expire at the end of the year, but
the City of Great Bend has been working with the company to find terms to help
them get back up to speed.
City Administrator Kendal Francis said Blizzard was looking at a one-year lease
in an attempt to restart the business.
"Basically, Blizzard has shuttered the building," said Francis. "They believe they can get operations going again. Their big obstacle was getting the lease renewed and getting employees."
Great Bend has also been working with Blizzard the past six months to obtain employees through KansasWorks.
The Great Bend City Council approved the one-year lease with Blizzard Energy,
keeping their current rent of $1,779 per month, with four renewable one-year options. Rent increases 5% each renewal. Rent will increase to $2,850
per month upon return of the facility to full-time operations.