Kiewit Power--a subsidiary of Kiewit Corp-is planning on adding almost 180 jobs and expanding its Lenexa, KS, headquarters. The new positions will be created for two divisions-Kiewit Power Constructors Co . (average wage: $86,223) and Kiewit Power Engineers Co. (average wage: $74,642).

Currently the company employs nearly 680 in this thriving Kansas City suburb, named the #26 "Best Small Town to Live in the United States" by Money magazine in 2009.

Kiewit Power provides engineering, procurement and construction services for the North American energy industry.

According to an announcement made by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the company will lease a 17,000-sq,-ft. space in the CoreFirst Bank & Trust building across the street from its current 150,000-sq.-ft. location. In addition, it will buy new equipment and machinery; all activity representing a $8.79 million capital investment, said a department statement.

Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George said the announcement is "tremendous news for Johnson County and Kansas. Kiewit made the commitment to expand its operations based on the quality of our workforce and the ability to find workers to fill these high-wage positions."

To sweeten the expansion deal, Kiewit is set to receive $5.36 million in incentives--including $3.35 million in Promoting Employment Across Kansas incentives and $869,000 from the High Performance Incentive Program-- as well as sales tax savings, personal property tax exemption and Kansas Industrial Training assistance.