Kansas has already made significant investments in digital infrastructure, including The Wichita Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and The Free State Middle Mile network. Together, these investments are laying the foundation for future growth.
Continued investment in infrastructure will be critical to the region’s ability to support economic growth while also protecting resources and making smart, strategic decisions for our future.
This infrastructure is the backbone of the modern economy. Across industries as diverse as agriculture, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, businesses of every size rely on data to operate, grow, and compete. Learn from industry experts on national trends for data centers and how thoughtful consideration on the topic of digital infrastructure can benefit our region.
As a digital leader who works every day on creating, integrating and managing critical infrastructure, Jason McKinley is considered an expert in data centers. He is known as an insightful professional in the areas of AI security and technology risk management. Jason built his company, Arc Technologies Group, on “cybersecurity-first”, emphasizing protection before building digitally, while committing to excellence, precision, knowledge and massive morality- always doing the right thing, even when it’s hard. His company sets the benchmark for being a trusted technology partner in the age of digital transformation.
As chief economic development officer, Andrew Nave develops, leads and facilitates business retention and recruitment initiatives; oversees the Regional Growth Plan, an economic strategy for the greater Wichita region and markets the community to existing and prospective businesses. Andrew has worked closely with area commercial brokers, national and international site selectors, the Kansas Department of Commerce and currently serves as co-chair for KEDA’s legislative committee. As the need for data centers has quickly expanded across the world, Andrew and his team experienced a huge growth in data center inquiries- from four in eight years’ time to more than 30 in six months. Desiring a smart and responsible solution that balances economic growth with clear guidelines and environmental safeguards, Andrew seeks to bring industry experts and the public together to share accurate information about data center projects.
Tonya Witherspoon is Founder and CEO of MindScapes, where she helps companies create business value through digital transformation that aligns infrastructure, workforce, and AI-enabled solutions. With more than 30 years of experience across technology, higher education, and entrepreneurship, she specializes in helping organizations prepare both their systems and their people for the future of work. Tonya previously helped lead the partnership that established Kansas’s first carrier-neutral Internet Exchange Point at Wichita State University and works with business and community leaders to connect infrastructure investments to workforce readiness, productivity, and regional growth.
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