Economic Development Update
Posted by
Kevin Yoder
at
May 27, 2009 09:00 AM
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With all of the gloomy talk about the 2009 budget crisis and the fledgling economy, Kansas fared very well in the economic development category this session...
National Bio and
Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF).
Legislators began the session with the good news that the Federal Government had selected Kansas State University to house its new $650 Million bio-terrorism defense facility. Previously legislators had passed a series of provisions to provide Kansas State with the land space and our Federal delegation the tools necessary to compete with many states over this coveted prize.
Once completed the new facility is expected to employ 300 people and have a payroll of over $30 Million. In its construction stage, it is predicted to employ over 1,500 construction jobs. The state of Kansas is counting on this facility to help boost the economy in the short-term and in the long-term help the state further its efforts to promote Kansas as a hub for life-science research.
Click here to learn more http://www.nbafinkansas.org/
Energy Production.
With the recent proposal by Governor Mark Parkinson (D-Kansas) of a compromise package of energy and environmental reforms, Kansas is now on its way to promoting further energy production in the state of Kansas. First, the Governor removed an obstacle that has been holding Kansas stagnant on all types of energy production over the past couple of years: the Holcomb coal-fired expansion.
Previously, Sunflower Energy had proposed a 1400 megawatt expansion to its current coal fired facility in Western Kansas. Governor Sebelius had proposed a 600 megawatt expansion. Ultimate, with newly minted Governor Parkinson at the helm in late April, the parties agreed on an 895 megawatt facility expansion that included a host of provisions that should help promote wind energy development in Kansas as well, including a renewable portfolio standard that requires power companies to be a certain percentage of wind energy.
The construction of the Holcomb plant expansion is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar construction project employing thousands of construction jobs as well as hundreds of high-paying jobs once operationa.
The hope of the Governor as well as legislative leaders is that we have now opened the path-way to a broad and productive energy future in Kansas that will help Kansas rise to a top producer in wind energy, promoting job growth and keeping energy costs low for Kansans.
Wind Turbine Manufacturing - Siemens.
Another bright spot was the announcement of Siemens Energy, Inc., that it would construct a 300,000 square foot facility in Reno Co., Kansas to help produce parts for wind turbine construction in the surrounding area.
The project is the first of its kind in Kansas and represents 400 high paying jobs in south central Kansas. Reno County and state officials at the Department of Commerce had spent months working with Siemens to help bring them to the state. Legislators included incentive funding in the Appropriations Bill passed in March.
Community Improvement Districts.
This session legislators gave city governments another tool to help develop old, run-down shopping centers in our communities. Through the creation of a Community Improvement District (CID), cities are now able to help make the financing and development of a dilapidated area much easier. Patterned off a Missouri law that is being used successfully to renovate the Bannister Mall area, chamber leaders hope it will bring similar renovation to warn down areas in Kansas as well.
Legislators began the session with the good news that the Federal Government had selected Kansas State University to house its new $650 Million bio-terrorism defense facility. Previously legislators had passed a series of provisions to provide Kansas State with the land space and our Federal delegation the tools necessary to compete with many states over this coveted prize.
Once completed the new facility is expected to employ 300 people and have a payroll of over $30 Million. In its construction stage, it is predicted to employ over 1,500 construction jobs. The state of Kansas is counting on this facility to help boost the economy in the short-term and in the long-term help the state further its efforts to promote Kansas as a hub for life-science research.
Click here to learn more http://www.nbafinkansas.org/
Energy Production.
With the recent proposal by Governor Mark Parkinson (D-Kansas) of a compromise package of energy and environmental reforms, Kansas is now on its way to promoting further energy production in the state of Kansas. First, the Governor removed an obstacle that has been holding Kansas stagnant on all types of energy production over the past couple of years: the Holcomb coal-fired expansion.
Previously, Sunflower Energy had proposed a 1400 megawatt expansion to its current coal fired facility in Western Kansas. Governor Sebelius had proposed a 600 megawatt expansion. Ultimate, with newly minted Governor Parkinson at the helm in late April, the parties agreed on an 895 megawatt facility expansion that included a host of provisions that should help promote wind energy development in Kansas as well, including a renewable portfolio standard that requires power companies to be a certain percentage of wind energy.
The construction of the Holcomb plant expansion is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar construction project employing thousands of construction jobs as well as hundreds of high-paying jobs once operationa.
The hope of the Governor as well as legislative leaders is that we have now opened the path-way to a broad and productive energy future in Kansas that will help Kansas rise to a top producer in wind energy, promoting job growth and keeping energy costs low for Kansans.
Wind Turbine Manufacturing - Siemens.
Another bright spot was the announcement of Siemens Energy, Inc., that it would construct a 300,000 square foot facility in Reno Co., Kansas to help produce parts for wind turbine construction in the surrounding area.
The project is the first of its kind in Kansas and represents 400 high paying jobs in south central Kansas. Reno County and state officials at the Department of Commerce had spent months working with Siemens to help bring them to the state. Legislators included incentive funding in the Appropriations Bill passed in March.
Community Improvement Districts.
This session legislators gave city governments another tool to help develop old, run-down shopping centers in our communities. Through the creation of a Community Improvement District (CID), cities are now able to help make the financing and development of a dilapidated area much easier. Patterned off a Missouri law that is being used successfully to renovate the Bannister Mall area, chamber leaders hope it will bring similar renovation to warn down areas in Kansas as well.
