Buc-ee’s plans to bring hundreds of jobs, millions of visitors to Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – Buc-ee’s is expected to bring millions of visitors to the metro and hire hundreds of employees when the store opens near Kansas Speedway.

The figures are some of the new information presented to Wyandotte County Commissioners during a meeting Monday evening. During the meeting, commissioners approved Buc-ee’s development plans and a timeline for the project.

According to the plans, Buc-ee‘s plans to build a travel center that is about 74,000 square feet. It will be one of the company’s largest locations, according to the plan.

It will stand just northwest of Interstate 435 and Interstate 70, right next to Kansas Speedway.

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A representative for the company told commissioners Monday that Buc-ee’s expects to hire at least 175 full-time employees to work at the new location. Those jobs all come with benefits.

“The average starting pay is ranging anywhere between $17 and $20 an hour. That‘s somebody walking in who has little or no experience who is willing to work hard, friendly, and it includes benefits, participation in a 401k, three weeks paid time off. It‘s a tough job, but it’s definitely a good one,” Stan Beard, Buc-ee’s Director of Real Estate and Development, said.

The company said one of the reasons it will employ so many people is because of the wide variety of things it offers.

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“We have some pretty good barbecue, fresh food. All of the fresh food is made in the store, another reason we have so many employees. When you see freshly chopped up pineapple somebody in the back chopped it up. It didn’t come to the store like that,” Beard said.

The center will also include 120 gas pumps and 12 electric charging stations.

In addition to the new options and jobs the development is expected to bring to the area, it will also attract tourists, according to supporters.

“A conservative estimate of the number of visitors Buc-ee’s will bring to our area is 4 million a year. Roughly 70% of those will be from out of state. It’s just a phenomenal development opportunity for Wyandotte County generally and specifically Village West,” Pat Warren, Kansas Speedway, said.

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Warren said Kansas Speedway actually approached Buc-ee’s about building the new location. It‘s a deal they’ve been working on for about four years.

“We‘re really excited about what Buc-ee’s is going to bring to Kansas City, Kansas, and to be a neighbor to Kansas Speedway. We think they’re gonna be a great edition to the community,” Warren said.

Buc-ee‘s won’t be the only change coming to the area when construction starts.

Village West Parkway will be moved and a new roundabout will be added in the area before Buc-ee’s opens. The proposal also calls for changes to the I-70 interchange.

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“Lanes will be widened on 110th street and a lane will be added with a free righthand turn heading westbound,” Warren said.

The project is expected to cost about $95 million. That includes a request for $10 million in Community Improvement District sales tax funding and $3.3 million in Tax Increment Financing.

According to a timeline construction will begin before May 1, 2025. The store will need to be completed 24 months after construction begins, according to the agreement.

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Commissioners are expected to discuss rezoning and other issues surrounding the project at a meeting on Nov. 7.

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