KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has selected the greater Kansas City region as a finalist for relocation of its sites for research agencies.
The two agencies include the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Economic Research Service. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue made the announcement Friday. In addition to Kansas City, two other bids which include multiple locations in Indiana and the Research Triangle region in North Carolina were named to the short list.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) said in a statement that the animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan to Columbia, Missouri and the National Bio and Agro-defense facility, under construction in Manhattan, as major draws for the region:
“The concentration of animal health companies and location of NBAF will not only complement the research capabilities of NIFA and ERS, but have also fostered a talented workforce that will help meet the personnel needs of USDA. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue advocating to Secretary Purdue and USDA that Kansas City be chosen as ERS and NIFA’s new home.”
More than 136 groups from 35 states submitted their interest to the USDA.
There has been no formal announcement as to when a final decision will be reached. The USDA has previously stated it would like those ERS and NIFA employees in the new location by the end of 2019.
