Pure Imagination Project Could Bring 101 High-Wage Creative Tech Jobs to Salina

One of Salina’s most ambitious development projects was back in the spotlight during the Salina Community Economic Development Organization’s annual meeting on March 26. The Pure Imagination project, first announced in 2023, is a $41 million investment centered on advanced spatial computing and immersive technology. State officials have said the project is expected to bring 101 new jobs to Salina, making it one of the city’s most closely watched economic development efforts in recent years.

Publicly announced plans describe the project as a high-tech studio and learning center built around next-generation digital production, modeling, and interactive environments. The development has been promoted as a major addition to Salina’s economic future, tying the city to a growing mix of creative and technical work that is far removed from the usual small-market playbook.

Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics helps show why the project has drawn so much attention. In Kansas, BLS data shows special effects artists and animators average about $42.09 per hour, or about $87,550 annually. Nationally, BLS reports a mean wage of $52.71 per hour for that occupation, while the median annual wage was $99,800 in May 2024, which works out to roughly $48 an hour.

That means the kinds of roles associated with a project like Pure Imagination can land well above many traditional local wage levels, especially when compared with standard arts and media jobs. It is one reason the project continues to stand out. With a $41 million price tag, more than 100 projected jobs, and work tied to immersive technology and digital production, Pure Imagination remains one of the boldest economic development stories now connected to Salina.