Quivira Council Boy Scouts of America Receives Land Donation From Koch Industries, Inc.

WICHITA, KS--(Marketwire - June 1, 2009) - The Quivira Council of Boy Scouts of America announced it has received a land donation of 5.18 acres from Koch Industries, Inc. (www.kochind.com) for construction of a new 11,000-square-foot service center near K-96 and North Oliver.

The new center will serve as the organization's headquarters and provide increased service and support to volunteer leaders and Scouting families with an expanded Scout shop, space to support volunteer training and programs, and offices for staff. It will replace the current office located at 1555 East Second Street near downtown Wichita.

"Young people are the future of our state, and Koch Industries is pleased to support programs that benefit youth in Kansas," said Dave Robertson, president and chief operating officer of Koch Industries, Inc. "Boy Scouts of America is a tremendous organization that helps develop leadership skills, self-reliance, good citizenship and community service, all values that are important to Koch companies."

The Quivira Council serves more than 13,000 young men and women in 30 counties with a values-based character development program. Programs include Cub Scouting and Boy Scouting along with a Scoutreach program for at-risk youth, a Venturing program that serves high school aged young men and women and a Learning for Life program that provides character education.

The property being donated by Koch Industries is valued at approximately $395,000. According to Mike Johnson, Scout Executive for Quivira Council, the new location will offer added convenience to Scouts, staff and volunteers from throughout central and south central Kansas. "One of the benefits of this property is its high visibility and accessibility from K-96," said Johnson. "Koch Industries' gift of land will allow us to better serve our volunteers and Scouting families who make Scouting come alive for our youth."

The property is adjacent to Rainbows United's new center for early child care and education. Construction of that facility was also made possible by a land donation from Koch Industries and financial support from the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation. According to Johnson, "Rainbows will be an excellent neighbor, and we look forward to collaborative opportunities between our organizations and the young people we serve."

Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries, Inc. (www.kochind.com) owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining and chemicals; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; minerals; fertilizers; fibers and polymers; commodity and financial trading and services; and forest and consumer products. With more than $110 billion in revenues, 80,000 employees and a presence in nearly 60 countries, Koch Industries is one of the largest private companies in America according to Forbes magazine.