Two USDA research agencies will be relocating to the Kansas City region, according to an announcement today from the U.S. secretary of agriculture.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture will relocate to the Kansas City area, according to the announcement. Both agencies are currently in Washington, D.C.
The exact location for the two agencies has not been selected yet, and there will be competitive bids for leasing in the Kansas City area through the General Services Administration, according to the announcement. They could locate on the Missouri or Kansas side of the state line.
U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, issued a joint statement with U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, applauding the selection of the Kansas City area. U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., also commended the relocation announcement. A regional application was advanced by Kansas City leaders on both sides of the state line.
“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” Sen. Moran said in a news release. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry.”
“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” Sen. Roberts said in a news release.
“I’m pleased the USDA has chosen the Kansas City metro as the site to relocate its research facilities, and I’m proud to have been a part of the bipartisan effort to advocate for this move. The Kansas City metro is in the middle of the National Biosciences Corridor that stretches from Manhattan, Kansas, to Columbia, Missouri, so this selection makes all the sense in the world,” Rep. Davids said in a news release.
According to the USDA news release, the USDA did a cost-benefit analysis that showed that by moving to the Kansas City area, it might save about $300 million over a 15-year lease term on employment costs and rent or about $20 million a year. This will allow more funding for research of critical needs like rural prosperity and agricultural competitiveness, and for programs and employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets, according to the USDA news release.
In addition, state and local governments offered relocation incentive packages totaling more than $26 million, the USDA stated in its news release. Also, the USDA noted it will be able to attract a diverse staff with training and interest in agriculture.
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a news release. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
Mayor David Alvey during the 5 p.m. Thursday Unified Government Commission session said it was a very important announcement, with the USDA selecting the Kansas City area among all cities in the country. As soon as it was announced, however, the UG heard from its federal lobbyist, Jim Davenport, that there could be significant opposition in Washington to the selection of Kansas City.
“Letting us know that immediately was very helpful, and I’ve already asked him to let us know what we need to do in terms of lobbying, working with our delegation and others, to make sure it does come to Kansas City, whether it lands in Kansas City, Kansas, or not, but certainly get it to the region,” Mayor Alvey said at the meeting.