Survivors of original economic development group touted

Twelve leading Hutchinson residents came together in December 1961 to form Hutchinson Growth Inc., the forerunner of today’s Hutchinson Economic Development Authority. Their action spurred development of today’s almost-filled industrial park.

The two surviving members of that visionary dozen were honored June 25 during an open house and reception at Hutchinson City Center. Retired businessmen Emanuel Albrecht and Virgil Goebel received plaques at an open house and reception organized by EDA Director Miles Seppelt.

In addition to Albrecht and Goebel, Hutchinson Growth’s founders included banker J. Harold Beytien, attorney D.O. Comer, Glen Engwall, gas station owner Floyd Hoel, longtime school superintendent S. R. Knutson, H. R. Kurth, Walter Norton, W. T. Richards, Robert Stearns of Stearnswood, and W.A. Vorpahl. Beytien was the group’s first president.

In September 1963, the nonprofit corporation purchased 83 acres of land along the east side of today’s Michigan Street. But it wasn’t until March 1970 that a ceremony marked the official opening of the industrial park with its first two occupants. Today’s Haugen Furniture can traced its beginnings to one of those.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)