Summary: Every 2024 JEDO incentive recipient (HME Inc., Vaerus Aviation, PTMW, Moore Digital) is a member or active participant in the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce / Greater Topeka Partnership. No exceptions among the named companies. Let me know if you want the exact same check run on any earlier-year incentive recipients or any other specific firms.

 2024 JEDO Incentive Contracts – Detailed Overview

In 2024, the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) board approved several performance-based cash incentive agreements for existing Topeka/Shawnee County companies. These are funded by the dedicated ¼-cent countywide sales tax and administered through GO Topeka (the economic-development arm of the Greater Topeka Partnership). Payments are not automatic — they are disbursed over 5 years only if the company meets strict job-creation, wage, and capital-investment milestones. All were publicly announced on the GoTopeka website and covered in local media.

Here is a breakdown of the four you specifically asked about (plus context on the “etc.” category of other 2024 incentives):

Company	Incentive Amount (max)	New Jobs (over 5 years)	Wage Range / Avg.	Capital Investment	Projected 10-Year Economic Impact	ROI to Community	Approval Date
HME Inc. (Haas Metal Engineering)	Up to $2,136,000	300	Manufacturing scale	$57 million	$1.2–1.24 billion	171%	Dec. 11, 2024
PTMW Inc.	Up to ~$1.6 million	~182–200	Not specified	$47.2 million	$1.3 billion	1,782%	Sep. 11, 2024
Moore Digital (Southwest Publishing & Mailing / Moore Co.)	Up to $272,000	60	Not specified	$31 million	$240 million	Not publicly detailed	Sep. 11, 2024
Vaerus Aviation	Up to $112,000	13	$60,000–$110,000	Not specified	$18.9 million	301%	Dec. 11, 2024

Key notes on all deals:

• These are cash incentives tied primarily to job creation and training (some also support property/equipment).
• Companies must hit annual performance benchmarks or forfeit unpaid portions.
• All were presented as “Project [Code Name]” in closed-session portions of JEDO meetings before public approval.
• Total 2024 incentives across these and other deals exceeded several million dollars, with very high projected ROIs due to the manufacturing/aviation focus.

Board, Chamber, and Greater Topeka Partnership Connections

I checked every named executive/owner associated with these companies against:

• Current and past Go Topeka board rosters.
• Greater Topeka Partnership board / leadership / Chairs Circle / donor lists.
• Topeka Chamber of Commerce board or elected leadership.
• Public contributor/donor acknowledgments.

HME Inc. (Haas Metal Engineering)

• Key people: John Haas (President/Owner), Angela Ayala (Controller), Jon Haas (earlier references as owner).
• Board ties: None. John Haas / Jon Haas have never served on the Go Topeka board, Greater Topeka Partnership board, or Topeka Chamber board.
• Chamber / Partnership: HME is a long-time Topeka manufacturer and has publicly thanked JEDO and the Greater Topeka Partnership in past announcements (including a 2021 incentive), but there is no record of them as formal “contributors” or donors listed in Partnership materials. The company is a standard Chamber member (typical for local manufacturers), but no leadership role.

PTMW Inc.

• Key people: Ashley Bettis (President).
• Board ties: Yes — Ashley Bettis serves on the Go Topeka board (listed in recent leadership materials). She has also been active in Greater Topeka Partnership circles.
• Chamber / Partnership: PTMW is a Chamber member. The company is frequently highlighted as a success story by the Partnership, but no special donor status beyond standard business participation.

Moore Digital (Moore company / Southwest Publishing & Mailing)

• Key people: Not publicly named in announcements (corporate-level Moore executive quoted generically).
• Board ties: None found. No Moore executives appear on Go Topeka, Greater Topeka Partnership, or Chamber boards.
• Chamber / Partnership: The company is a long-standing Topeka business and Chamber member. No notable donor or leadership role in the Partnership.

Vaerus Aviation

• Key people: Patrick Traul (Vice President & Director of Operations), Brooks Pettit (associated executive/ownership references).
• Board ties: Yes for Brooks Pettit — he serves as an Elected Director on the Greater Topeka Partnership board. Patrick Traul has no board service on Go Topeka or Partnership.
• Chamber / Partnership: Vaerus is a Chamber member and has been publicly praised by GO Topeka leadership. The Partnership connection via Pettit is the most direct governance link among the four companies.

Chamber Membership Status Only – 2024 JEDO Incentive Recipients (Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce / Greater Topeka Partnership)

Here is the focused breakdown based solely on membership and active participation status:

• HME Inc. (Haas Metal Engineering): Yes — Long-time Chamber/Partnership participant. Recognized in Topeka Chamber/GO Topeka small business awards and routinely featured in official Partnership announcements and economic development materials.
• Vaerus Aviation: Yes — Active member and listed Strategic Investor in Greater Topeka Partnership materials. Hosted official Partnership “Business Unwind” networking events.
• PTMW Inc.: Yes — Active member. Hosted Greater Topeka Partnership events; president Ashley Bettis serves on the Go Topeka board. Previously nominated by the Chamber for state business excellence awards.
• Moore Digital (Moore Co. / Southwest Publishing & Mailing): Yes — Long-standing Topeka business with ongoing Partnership/GO Topeka support and public recognition in official announcements.

Overall Context

• No JEDO board members (elected officials) from these companies — JEDO’s voting board is strictly limited to County Commissioners and Topeka elected officials.
• Most of these are repeat or expanding local employers who have received prior JEDO support, which is common for high-performing manufacturers/aviation firms in Topeka.
• The Greater Topeka Partnership and Chamber routinely list hundreds of business members and donors; only the specific board-level ties noted above rise to governance involvement.
• All incentives followed the standard public JEDO approval process (agenda packets, Finance Committee review, open board vote).