Kansas City Business Journal – by Krista Klaus, James Dornbrook, Staff Writers
Trader Joe’s is one of the economic development wins Kansas City officials are touting, saying it brought a $1 million investment and 60 jobs. The popular grocery chain’s Kansas City store opened earlier this month.
Kansas City has 10 new projects in different stages, which economic development officials hope will spur optimism about the local economy.
The leadership of the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City touted the combined investment, valued at more than $37 million, as the largest number of simultaneous projects in the agency’s nearly 25-year existence.
In all, the 10 projects mean 1,125 new jobs and 160 retained jobs in the city, EDC officials said.
Several projects previously were announced, including Applebee’s Services Inc. and Trader Joe’s moving into Kansas City, Blount International Inc. building a new facility near Kansas City International Airport and Milbank ManufacturingCo. expanding its Kansas City plant. Trader Joe’s opened earlier this month.
Economic development officials said the overall investment and sheer number of new projects signal that Kansas City is open for business.
“These are exciting times for our city,” Mayor Sly James said in a written statement. “There is an abundance of energy and growth — you can feel it. The EDC is a resource and advocate for businesses to tap. The mission is to help cut through red tape and provide an invaluable service to our community. The impact of these 10 projects are measurable in both dollars and jobs created and retained.”
The rally comes just after an EDC management shake-up that included CEO Jeff Kaczmarek resigning.
Interim CEO John Crawford told the Kansas City Business Journal that the EDC is gaining momentum with new leadership and a new city administration.
“With a new mayor and council, they are providing a new injection of energy and enthusiasm,” he said. “I think you have an opportunity to attract the attention of the business community for Kansas City as a place to do business.”
The 10 projects were announced at a Friday morning EDC meeting, attended by James, at the Gem Theater, 1615 E. 18th St.
Here is the EDC’s list of the projects, their addresses, investment amounts, and new or retained jobs expected:
• Applebee’s Services Inc., 8140 Ward Parkway, $1.5 million, 378
• Trader Joe’s, 8600 Ward Parkway, $1 million, 60
• NASB (North American Savings Bank) Mortgage and Lending, 903 E. 104th St., $6 million, 270
• Blount International Inc., 5331 Municipal Drive, $17 million, 164
• Marks Nelson Vohland Campbell Radetic LLC, 1310 E. 104th St., $2.69 million, 82
• Milbank Manufacturing Co., 4801 Deramus Ave., $2.75 million, 57
• Star Financial, 601 E. 63rd St., $1.4 million, 100-plus
• Vianney Industries Inc., dba Midland Metal Manufacturing, 3122 Gillham Road, $2.6 million, 89
• Superior Metal Treating, 2540 Indiana Ave., $1 million, 49
• AMDG Enterprises Inc., dba Midland Metal, 2016 E. 19th St., $1.1 million, 36 (Vianney and AMDG formerly were related companies.)
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration followed the EDC announcement Friday afternoon with details on economic development incentives for two of the projects.
The state authorized $5.7 million in Quality Jobs program tax credits during a five-year period for the NASB relocation. The Quality Jobs program provides economic incentives for companies that create a minimum number of jobs that meet certain wage, hour and benefits criteria.
AMDG, a plumbing parts distributor, will receive $66,004 in Enhanced Enterprise Zone program tax credits over five years for its new facility. EEZs are designated by local governments and certified by the Missouri Department of Economic Development based on demographics, potential job creation and effect on a specific industry cluster.