September 15, 2025
New Boots, Local Roots
This summer, Vaulted Deep gathered local leaders, neighbors, and partners for two days of connection, conversation, and celebration around our flagship Great Plains facility in Hutchinson, Kansas.
First, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark a major expansion of the site. The new equipment and technology will triple the facility’s waste processing capacity, increase hiring, and expand contracts with our local network of suppliers.
The following day, we opened our doors even wider to invite anyone to learn more about Vaulted and enjoy delicious barbecue at a community open house nearby.
Our facility is rooted in a simple idea: organic waste that often poses a risk above ground can be safely and permanently stored deep below ground. Although the organic wastes Vaulted tackles are nonhazardous, they can contaminate local soil and water when applied to land, which is the typical status quo. Instead, we protect these resources and solve disposal challenges for our waste partners at the same time.
Through this work, our Great Plains site creates real jobs for local workers both at our company and in our supply chain, such as operators, truckers, waste suppliers and construction workers. We now have more than 38 full-time team members in Hutchinson (and growing!).
“This isn’t an experiment,” CEO Julia Reichelstein told the group gathered for the ribbon cutting. “It’s an evolution of more than a decade of safe, proven operations. Built with Kansas expertise, for Kansas’ future.”
Site Expansion Ribbon Cutting: A shared stake in the future
Our ribbon cutting event brought together an inspiring group of local leaders, policymakers, team members, partners, and more to experience our Great Plains site. For a bit of history: The site originally started as Underground Cavern Solutions, LLC in 2012 for beneficial reuse of the area’s salt caverns. Vaulted took over operations in 2023, adding in our technology, keeping the local team, and hiring for new positions as we’ve grown.
“But perhaps what I’m most proud of is the people who make this work possible,” said Julia. “Some of our employees at the Great Plains Facility have been here since the facility was first developed. Steve Pangburn, who leads our team here, has been stewarding this site for years. These aren’t just jobs – these are careers, built by people who know this land, who understand this work, and who are deeply invested in this area.”
Hutchinson Mayor Stacy Goss applauded our growth, and Hutchinson / Reno County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debra Teufel noted the expansion would strengthen the county’s diverse economy. “Economic development is a team sport,” Debra said.
What started as a small, staged photo turned into an all-in moment. Without prompting, nearly every attendee—Chamber ambassadors, city leaders, team members, and neighbors—all stepped forward to take part.
The celebration closed with local favorite Salt City Scoops ice cream sandwiches, which was a fitting touch for the 90-degree summer day.
Community Open House: From questions to confidence
The next evening, more than 120 people came to the Hutchinson Career & Technical Center to learn more about Vaulted’s operations. Guests explored informational displays, talked with Vaulted team members about our work, and enjoyed the communal atmosphere.
Many arrived with questions—about safety, groundwater protection, and long-term impacts—and left satisfied with answers. Children dove into arts and crafts while adults enjoyed Hickory Stik barbecue, turning the evening into a summer hangout rather than a quick drop-in.
Why it matters
Tripling our capacity isn’t just about processing more waste. It means:
- Diverting more pollution from land and waterways
- Permanently removing more carbon from the atmosphere
- Strengthening Hutchinson’s economy with new jobs and partnerships
- Continuing a track record of safe, regulated operations
As Julia told guests, “Kansas isn’t just where we operate—it’s a blueprint for the future we’re building together.”
From the golf cart arrivals at the ribbon cutting to the last bites of barbecue at the open house, these two days reflected the best of what can happen when infrastructure and community grow together.
To everyone who joined us: thank you for your warm welcome and for helping us mark this milestone. We’re grateful to call Kansas home as we grow this important work.
