Coca-Cola set to make Olathe pop with new bottling facility

OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) - Heartland Coca-Cola company is expanding its presence in Johnson County and surrounding businesses are hoping to get a taste.

Last week, Olathe City Council approved $350,000 in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) to be issued toward a Heartland Coca-Cola Regional Headquarters and bottling facility.

“We actually didn’t know it was being built and so it’s really exciting to have some new businesses open up in the area,” said Kiddie Academy assistant director Brittney Prock.

Kiddie Academy is about three miles away from the new facility and already partners with other companies like Garmin, the Olathe School District, and Olathe Medical Center to offer discounted care for employees. They’re hoping they’ll be able to add Coca-Cola to the list.

“It’s been growing exponentially. There’s families that have multiple children that go here. I have four of my own that attend here as well,” said Prock.

Heartland Coca-Cola is investing more than $1 million into the project. The 677,000 square-foot industrial facility will be on the southwest corner of 167th Street and Hedge Lane. The Olathe Chamber of Commerce expects it to be a two-way benefit to both the company and the surrounding community with goods and services.

“Obviously, their employees will be visiting our restaurants, our service providers that will the plant as they move in,” said Olathe Chamber of Commerce CEO Tim McKee.

The Chamber of Commerce said because of this project they also received a state grant to improve Hedge Lane from 175th Street to 167th Street. They expect the project to add a tax base to the Spring Hill School District and help decrease truck traffic in the community due to the addition of bottling lines.

Phase one of the Heartland Coca-Cola project is expected to open later this year. The grand opening is scheduled for Spring 2025.

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