By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Russell County gets an "A" for effort. Earlier this year, groups in the county began an effort to recruit super chain Buc-ees for a new store along Interstate 70 in Russell. The chain did reach out to area officials, but Russell County Eco Devo Director Mike Parsons said the county of just more than 6,700 people lacked the manpower to staff the massive convenience store.
"When we first went into it, I kind of just had a number in my head that they'd need maybe around 150 employees being open 24/7 and being that big of a store," he said. "But when we got to talking to the vice president, Mr. (Joe) O'Leary, the number was 300."
Eco Devo issued a recruitment flyer requesting submissions to let Buc-ees know there was interest in the county. Hundreds of comments were submitted by local and regional residents, and even some from out of state. Russell County may not have been able to meet the workforce requirement, but Parsons said it was a step in the right direction.
"I think it was still a good experience," he said. "It was a good way to keep momentum going forward with our development land out by I-70. Of course, we're going to keep that momentum going on to the next project."
A Russell Buc-ees would have been a first for the chain in Kansas, but the stores are getting closer. A new store is planned north of Denver, Colo. in 2024.