This story is part of an ongoing series, Powering Change: Panasonic and De Soto. If you'd like to share your excitement or concerns about the electric vehicle battery plant, you can do so here.
—
As Panasonic brings new energy and jobs to De Soto, the city is using that momentum to bring some life into its downtown.
Inspired by community input following the 2022 announcement of the Panasonic plant, local leaders are launching a weekly event called Rhythm and Roots.
Change took off for sleepy downtown De Soto last year with the opening of a new brewery, Force of Nature.
“A Friday night without Force of Nature, I'm not really sure what that looks like because it's kind of the thing to do right now,” said Lindsay Waller, brewery owner.
LINK | Learn more about Rhythm and Roots
However, the city's 2024 community survey showed that residents want more, especially special events and investment in the downtown area.
That sentiment was echoed by 42% of respondents.
“We've forgotten downtown, and that's what the residents want,” Waller said. “They want us to remember what downtown was. They want it to be alive again.”
So, De Soto started Rhythm and Roots, a Friday night farmers market that will feature live music, food trucks and local vendors.
Panasonic, now one of the city’s biggest businesses, is sponsoring the event.
“It's really important that they are involved,” said Whitney Lange, De Soto's communications and events director. "Not just monetary, but having their employees come and enjoy in our community. And after work, they are coming to De Soto, and they're staying in De Soto.”
The event also aims to appeal to all ages, including young adults like Kaylee Reynolds.
“The only way you can grow as a town is ... more stuff comes,” Reynolds said. “I'm also 22, so I like to have fun... There's more stuff coming, and I genuinely just love it.”
As big businesses move in, De Soto is embracing both its future and its roots.
“You got to kind of crawl out of your own room and find what is beautiful in De Soto,” Waller said.
Lange added, “As we grow bigger, we still want to remain grounded in our community roots."
Rhythm and Roots kicks off this Friday, May 2, and will run every week from 4-10 p.m. in downtown De Soto.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Olivia Acree covers portions of Johnson County, Kansas. Share your story idea with Olivia.