KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A two-state proposal from Kansas and Missouri will bring hundreds of federal jobs to the Kansas City area after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to relocate two research agencies to the region.
Kansas City’s bid beat out 135 other proposals from 35 different states including a pitch from the Manhattan region. Kansas and Missouri submitted a joint proposal to the USDA. The agencies include the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. A decision on whether to locate on the Kansas or Missouri side of the Kansas City metro is expected in July. All told, the relocation will bring nearly 600 high-paying federal jobs to the region.
The relocation puts USDA employees closer to farmers and other agricultural interests including the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, which stretches from Manhattan to Columbia, Missouri.
The ERS jobs pay an average of $120,000 per year. NIFA jobs pay between $110,000 and $190,000.
In addition to Kansas City, other finalists for the two agencies included proposals from Indiana and North Carolina.
Lawmaker reaction:
Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday applauded the announcement, calling it a win for Kansas and Missouri.
“While we’ll work hard to make sure the final location is on our side of the river, we know the new location on either side will meet the needs of the USDA and benefit Kansas and Missouri.”
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) says Thursday’s decision “further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry.”
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) says “the vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit.
First District Representative Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) says “the move by NIFA and ERS only strengthens the animal health corridor and will benefit our communities for many years to come.”
