Witness the Economic Boom in Topeka with Haas Metal Engineering
Approval of a Major Investment
The Topeka and Shawnee County Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) took a momentous step by approving a substantial $2,136,000 investment. This investment is aimed at facilitating the construction of a brand new manufacturing facility by Haas Metal Engineering (HME). The vote was carried out on Wednesday, December 11th, marking a crucial milestone in the local economic landscape.This approval is not just a financial transaction; it represents a vote of confidence in HME's quality work and its potential for growth. It showcases the organization's commitment to supporting local businesses and driving economic development.Anticipated Job Creation and Economic Impact
The new manufacturing plant is set to be a game-changer. It is expected to generate over 300 jobs, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. These jobs will not only offer employment opportunities to the residents of Topeka but also contribute to the overall economic vitality of Shawnee County.Over the next decade, the plant is projected to generate $1.2 billion in economic activity. This represents an astonishing 171% return on investment for Topeka and Shawnee County. It is a testament to the potential of local businesses and the positive impact they can have on the community.Community Pride and Economic Prosperity
The growth of HME is not just a victory for the company itself but for the entire Topeka area. As Molly Howey, president of GO Topeka, aptly stated, "This project reflects the hard work and commitment of a business that is deeply rooted in our community." The jobs being created will undoubtedly play a crucial role in local economic prosperity for years to come.It is a source of pride for the community to see a local business thrive and contribute to the well-being of the area. This success story serves as an inspiration for other businesses and encourages them to invest in Topeka and contribute to its growth.The approval of this investment and the subsequent job creation are a clear indication of the positive trajectory that Topeka is on. With the support of organizations like JEDO and the dedication of local businesses like Haas Metal Engineering, the future looks bright for the Topeka area.Discover the Passion for Tractors
Starting with a Simple Invitation
Mike Trotter recounts how he and his wife, Judy, were invited to join the Peach State Antique Tractor and Engine Club nearly 20 years ago. At that time, he didn't even own a tractor. It was his oldest son-in-law who sparked his interest. Since then, he has been hooked on tractors and has received valuable tips and advice from fellow club members. "We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to all the friends, family, and members of the Peach State tractor club who helped us get started," Mike says. "We can't thank them enough."His grandson, Walker Brown, also played a significant role. In 2005, while returning home to Dalton, Georgia, they spotted a 1954 Ford Jubilee and a few other tractors in Ringgold. Walker fell in love with the tractor, and that's how their collection began. "We stopped to take a look and Walker just fell in love with that tractor," Mike says. "My wife said, ‘I guess we need to go back in the morning when they’re open and see how much they want for it.’ So, that’s how we ended up with our first Ford."
Building a Diverse Collection
Since that first tractor, Mike's collection has grown significantly. He now owns a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee, a 1952 Ford 8N propane model, a Ford LGT 120 garden tractor, a Ford 2N, an 8N gas model, a 1948 Farmall Cub equipped with a mounted planter, and a 1952 Massey Harris Pony. About half of these tractors have been fully restored.For example, the Ford Golden Jubilee was found in a barn in Pikeville, Tennessee. Mike's friend, Johnny Hicks, had purchased some land with a barn. When they went to look, they found the Golden Jubilee and a Ford 8N. Mike got the Jubilee, and his friend kept the 8N. Similarly, the Farmall Cub came about when Mike took in three tractors from a collector named Carter Boyd with the promise to repaint and sell them. He ended up keeping the Cub after selling two of the tractors and repainting a trailer for the collector. He found the mounted planter and seed hoppers at a yard sale.
From Body Shop to Tractor Restoration
Interestingly, tractor restoration was already one of Mike's talents. Early in his married life, he and a friend owned a body shop in Ringgold where they painted semi-tractors and cars. After working in the body shop and then for Coca-Cola for 22 years, he took an office job with a local trucking company for 26 years before retiring. Even during his retirement, he continued to buy and repair cars in his spare time.When it came to restoring tractors, it wasn't a major challenge for him. He even rebuilt and painted a "people carrier" to pull behind one of his tractors at local shows. Each tractor in his collection has a story behind it.
Helping Others and Passing on the Legacy
Mike helps others in the tractor community, just as others have helped him. His stepson, Alan Brown, is restoring a Ford 8N that belonged to his grandfather. The Trotters collect tractors of various brands and colors, showing their non-denominational approach.Mike's latest acquisition is a 1955 Mack semi-truck tractor. His plan is to restore it and use it to haul tractors to antique tractor shows. It's a nod to the past when dealers might have used similar setups. "It already runs," Mike says, "although it’s sometimes a little hard to start, since it has an air-driven starter. I know I’m getting older every year and don’t get as much done on projects as I’d like. But if you don’t have a plan, you’ll never get it done."
Impact of Outage on Apple Integration
The ChatGPT outage coincided with OpenAI's launch of its integration with Apple in iOS 18.2. This could have led to an influx of traffic on the company's servers, causing the disruption. Some users reported on social media that ChatGPT was not working in Apple Intelligence due to the downtime on Wednesday. This highlights the potential challenges and implications of such simultaneous events.OpenAI's efforts to manage and resolve these issues are crucial to ensure the seamless operation of its services and maintain user satisfaction. The company's response and the time taken to restore normalcy will play a significant role in how users perceive its reliability and performance.
Details of Outage Timeline
The outage began more than 2 hours ago, and as of now, OpenAI is working hard to identify the root cause and implement a fix. The company's status page provides regular updates, but the service remains down for the time being. This extended outage has raised concerns among users who rely on these platforms for various tasks and interactions.It is unclear what exactly caused the outage, and OpenAI is likely conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact factors. This process may take some time, but the company is committed to getting the services back up and running as soon as possible.
Recent Launches and Their Implications
Earlier this week, OpenAI launched Sora publicly. CEO Sam Altman had mentioned that the startup did not anticipate the level of interest it would receive and had to limit the number of users who could sign up. Many users who did manage to sign up faced issues on launch day, receiving a message that OpenAI's servers were at capacity. This shows the rapid growth and popularity of OpenAI's offerings and the challenges it faces in handling increased demand.In addition to Sora, OpenAI has also announced the full release of its o1 reasoning model, a reinforcement fine-tuning research program, and some updates to Canvas. These launches have added to the company's portfolio and contributed to its ongoing efforts in the field of artificial intelligence. However, the current outage has put a temporary halt to some of these activities and may impact the user experience.
OpenAI's Response and Communication
OpenAI has been actively communicating with users through tweets and status page updates. They have assured users that they have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix. The company's prompt response and transparency in providing information are important in maintaining user trust during such challenging times.However, the prolonged outage has also led to some frustration among users, who are eager to have access to the services again. OpenAI will need to address these concerns and ensure that similar incidents are minimized in the future to uphold its reputation as a reliable provider of AI services.
We’re experiencing an outage right now. We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix.Sorry and we’ll keep you updated!— OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 12, 2024OpenAI referred TechCrunch to a tweet from its official X account when we reached out for comment.