Earp Meat Company of Edwardsville, Kan., will receive $5 million in allocated funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The funds were received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Areas were targeted based on recovery needs and the economic situation.

Earp is one of four businesses to receive funding.

Over $99 million worth of requests were made to the state; only $30.6 million were rewarded in the competitive process.

UPDATE: More on the funds, from a press release:

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds are two new types of bonds created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help economically distressed areas. Recovery Zone Facility Bonds are much like Private Activity Bonds and can be used for privately owned or used projects. These bonds are federally tax exempt, which can provide the issuer with a lower cost of capital. Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, which are used for public infrastructure, are fully taxable to the bond holders, but the U.S. Treasury will pay to the issuer (cities, counties) an amount equal to 45 percent of each interest payment.
 
The Kansas Department of Commerce reviewed applications for these two categories of bonds through a competitive process. The Recovery Zone Facility Bond process was exceptionally competitive, with the Department of Commerce receiving $99 million in requests for $30.617 million in available authority.
 
Organizations that have been issued bond authority through the first round of this reallocation process must confirm their intent to issue bonds with the Department of Commerce’s Bond Allocation Administrator by February 17, 2010. Allocations that are not confirmed by this date will be surrendered and redistributed among other applicants. The bond authority allocated to a project may be combined with other funding sources. This bond allocation expires if the bonds are not issued by May 31, 2010.

Having to fill 1,400 slots in Wyandotte County, the federal government is still seeking employees for the 2010 Census.

Temporary, part-time jobs are still available. Those who are bilingual are especially sought.

"This is the largest civilian mobilization of workers in the history of the United States" said Dennis Johnson, Regional Director.

For more information, you can visit the Unified Government's Web site at www.wycokck.org or visit the official site of the Census, located at www.2010census.gov.

By phone, you can contact the Wyandotte County Census Bureau office at (913) 233-8400.

Note: We had this poll question last fall when the issue of outsourcing in public school districts began to become a hot topic locally.

With the issue heating back up after yesterday's Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education budget retreat, it would be interesting to ask it again.

Also, feel free to comment if have some to share.

As expected, the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Education picked up its discussion on outsourcing positions in security, custodian, transportation nutritional services today during a budget workshop.

However, the board rejected a motion that would call for bids in these areas...for now.

Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools Executive Director of Operations and Quality Control Kelli Mather outlined some possibilities in terms of cost savings and the costs of outsourcing these positions.

"This topic brings about emotion and anxiety," Mather said to board members. "It's critical information you need to make informed decisions."

Since exact cost savings are unknown, Mather went on research. The district could save an estimated five to 10 percent of its operation costs. Overall, the district spends 12.2 percent of its expenses on maintenance and operation costs.

Mather also cautioned board members regarding contracts with larger companies that would fill the positions.

"There are some disadvantages and potential for higher costs," she said. "If contracts are not clearfully or clearly written, you could look at being lowballed and the board should be very cautious at that."

The district would look at these cost savings: Between $3-4 million in cleaning services, just over $741,000 in security cost savings and hundreds of thousands more in transportation and nutritional services.

Current employees would likely have the option of taking reduced salaries and benefits if the district goes the route.

But there are other costs associated with outsourcing, mostly those on the community.

Over 75 percent of the employees in security, transportation, nutritional and custodial departments work and live in Wyandotte County.

And if a lively discussion between board members is any preview, a battle to approve outsourcing could be divided.

Board member Richard Kaminski suggested some board members were taking the issue "personally."

"We're here to save money for the district," he said. "Would you rather lay off teachers?"

Board member Brenda Jones responded.

"These are people in our community," she said. "That's why I'm taking it personally. It impacts our community regardless of the cost savings."

Board members wanted more information and more discussion before sending out bids for these areas. However, the issue will continue to be discussed and a call for bids in at least some areas will likely be made eventually.

No final decision was made Tuesday.

After dipping back down into single figures in November, the unemployment rate in both Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., has increased to over 10 percent.

In Wyandotte County overall, unemployment rate jumped from 8.7 percent in November to 10.3 percent in December 2009. In 2008, the number was 8.8 percent.

In KCK, the jump in unemployment was similar.

The December 2009 figure came in at 10.7 percent, up from 9.0 percent last month. At this point last year, the number was 9.1 percent. Both numbers are the highest in the State of Kansas. The overall unemployment rate in the state is 6.3 percent.

"We continue to experience a weak labor market in Kansas as evidenced by significant over-the-year job losses," said Tyler Tenbrink, with the Kansas Department of Labor "Industries where we expect to see job losses this time of year experienced more significant losses than are typical, and industries where we normally see job gains experienced smaller gains than normal."

Across the state, 60,000 jobs were lost in 2009.

In a continuation of a public hearing for a TIF development that stretches from 39th and Rainbow to 40th and Adams in Rosedale, more information was released about the project.

But concerns from business owners already in the area remain, which were voiced at Thursday night's Unified Government Board of Commissioners meeting. The entire project is $35 million and includes an 89-room hotel, over 60 "Class A" departments and 30,000 of mixed retail and businesses.

Chase Simmons of Polsinelli Law Firm spoke out in representation of Rainbow Redevelopment Partners, the group responsible for the development of the TIF project.

"It's very consistent with the Rosedale Master Plan," he said. "You see buildings and structures very much like these in Rosedale."

In order to establish a TIF district, nine criteria must be met in the area. Two independent studies established that nine criteria exist, Simmons said.

While the majority of Thursday night's attendants strongly support the TIF project, a few tenants within the district have questions about it.

Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers Sports Bar & Grill – which is located inside the TIF boundaries – said the lack of action has left his business and the bar's 15 employees in limbo.

"We are still a business," he said. "A valuable business. We're still trying to do good things in the community."

Since opening about three years ago, Jaywalkers has generated $130,000 in sales tax. Nelson said 15 employees at the business are unsure if they'll have jobs soon.

"We don't feel like we're part of the process," he said.

Carl Scruggs, who's also a tenant in the area, voiced similar concerns.

"I was not aware of the project," he said. "I'm not quite sure what the next step is for my business."

Interestingly, both said the TIF project would be good for the Rosedale area.

Simmons said the development's partners will work with the area owners. But....

"We can't make everyone feel great right now and say we can buy them out."

As for the project, it's scheduled completion date would be Fall 2011 if everything is approved. Other representatives for the project said Mariott is close to an agreement on becoming the hotel brand associated with the TIF project.

At Thursday's meeting, nothing was approved as it was just a public hearing.

PHOTO: Shawn Nelson of Jaywalkers addresses the Unified Government's Board of Commissioners at Thursday night's meeting. The UG held a public hearing about a TIF development project on 39th and Rainbow.

The deal between the State of Kansas, Unified Government and Kansas City Wizards is reverberating across the political, local and sports world.

Here are a collection of statements from various parties.

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson:

“I applaud the work of Mayor Reardon, the Wyandotte County Commissioners, Secretary Thornton and the entire team at the Department of Commerce for bringing thousands of jobs to Kansas and helping our state get back on track. The proposal we offered was responsible and did not overreach; as a result, we were successful.”

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber:

“We applaud OnGoal and the State of Kansas for creating an innovative partnership to bring a world-class soccer stadium to Kansas City. Lamar Hunt’s vision to build true homes for the soccer community began more than 10 years ago and we will now have a minimum of 12 clubs playing in stadiums built for built for MLS teams by 2011. This new stadium will provide the appropriate environment for our fans to enjoy the beautiful game and give young players the opportunity to dream about playing on that field for the Wizards someday.”

Unified Government/Wyandotte County Administrator Dennis Hays:

“It will not only bring jobs, but new housing and families to our community,” explained Wyandotte County Administrator Dennis Hays. “This will truly make Wyandotte County a growing and vital county in the Kansas City metro and a true destination for the entire Midwest.”
 

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved of multiple motions tonight that will officially allow for construction on the new Kansas City Wizards' stadium and new Cerner facility to begin.

In a process that began in September, Kansas City, Kan., will now be home to a Major League Soccer team permanently and an office complex expected to bring thousands of jobs.

For Cerner, a 600,000 square feet office complex will be built, which will generate about 4,000 jobs in job creation within four years. For the Wizards, a brand new soccer-only 18,000-seat stadium.

For Wyandotte County, the biggest benefit will be jobs.

"The (Cerner office) is part of the journey of Wyandotte County," said Joe Reardon, Unified Government Mayor/CEO. "When you look at the economy in Wyandotte County, so much of it is still tied to industry. These will be job opportunities for the near term and the long-term."

Along with the jobs created by Cerner, over 1,000 construction jobs will be created during the project's construction.

Financially, the plan will be boosted by $147 million in STAR bond proceeds generated by sales tax revenues. No property tax dollars will be used to finance it.

A $30 million investment from private donors and investors will finance a 18-field facility at Wyandotte County Park. The fields are expected to draw over 2 million to Wyandotte County.

Three recreational soccer fields will also be built across Wyandotte County. They will be spread out over the county's geography.

"The development of these fields will allow us to bring development in the sport of soccer in Kansas City," said Robb Heineman, OnGoal CEO. (OnGoal owns the Wizards.) "I think the two million number is too low. There's no reason to think this won't be a first class complex."

Heineman believes league tournaments not just from Kansas City – but across the United States and throughout Europe – will select KCK as a host city.

Cliff Illig, vice chairman and co-founder of Cerner, said Cerner's expansion across the state-line is exciting.

"We see Kansas City as a community without a state line," he said. "We've grown our business and we're just excited to serve as part of this joint vision."

The soccer stadium, located across the street from Nebraska Furniture Mart, will be completed by the opening of the 2012 season. The recreation fields will be available for use in 2011.
 

In 2009, the Kansas Department of Transportation received $378 million in stimulus dollars.

KDOT used $348 million on highway projects and an additional $30 million on transit.

“Building roads creates well-paying jobs during construction and provides the infrastructure necessary to both sustain and grow the Kansas economy,” said Transportation Secretary Deb Miller. “And when hundreds of workers spend millions of dollars in thousands of Kansas businesses, it creates a ripple effect felt throughout the local and state economies. The Recovery projects have done exactly what they were intended to do.”

KDOT said over 100 "local projects" across Kansas have been funded because of the stimulus package, which is formally known as the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."

As Kansas City Wizards president Robb Heineman promised late last week, there is indeed activity out at Village West in relation to the team's new stadium, located across Nebraska Furniture Mart.

About six heavy machinery can be spotted at the site.

Our friends at Hillcrest Road Blog – the official blog of the Wizards – have posted a photo gallery of the site.

The New York Times has produced this map detailing the county-by-county usage of food stamps across the United States.

According to the map, 16 percent of Wyandotte County's population use food stamps, an increase of 34 percent from 2007.

Usage of food stamps involve 27 percent of the children in the county.

Wyandotte County ranks as the highest county in the state when it comes to the use of food stamps. It's second in the Greater Kansas City metro area, just behind Jefferson County, Mo.

According to The Times, nearly 25 percent of the entire nation's children receive food stamps in some away, with around 13 percent of the general population using the stamps.

Sealy Mattress, the largest bedding manufacturer in North America, will move its Wyandotte County location to 435 Riverpark next July.

The move is the result of a newer and larger facility – about 20 percent more than its current location. Over 100 manufacturing jobs will be maintained or created due to the move, which was announced this week.

Sealy will be located at the building for at least 10 years.

"Keeping the quality-driven and world recognized brand of the Sealy Mattress Company associated with Wyandotte County for at least ten more years is a huge credit to the community and our local workforce," Unified Government Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon said. "Our development team continues to work hard to retain local businesses, which will prove to be a huge advantage for Wyandotte County in the short and long-term."

The KCK plant manufactures products for Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Arkansas.

The Board of Public Utilities will begin its budget presentation next Monday.

All week, board members and administrators will meet at the utility's administration building at 540 Minnesota Avenue to discuss the 2010 budget.

The meeting schedule:

• Monday, Dec. 7: The overview of the proposed budget will be presented. A strategic plan will be developed. The meeting will last from 1-5 p.m.

• Tuesday, Dec. 8: Administrative Division budgets, which include accounting, general management, human resources, customer service and purchasing/supply. The meeting is from 1-5 p.m.

• Wednesday, Dec. 9: Electric operations, technology division, electric production and supply division will have their presentations. The meeting is from 1-5 p.m.

• Thursday, Dec. 10: The water division will make the final presentation for the week. A wrap-up and follow-up will be made.

• Wednesday, Dec. 16: The budget will be approved by board members.

The public is welcomed to all meetings.

Representatives from Schools for Fair Funding presented some bad budget news to the Kansas City, Kan. Board of Education.

With another education funding cut announced by Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson on Monday, the school district has lost about $15 million in state funding from this year's budget.

However, according to attorney John S. Robb, the numbers could be more troublesome in the future.

Next year's fiscal budget faces a $406 million deficit, with a shortfall of $855.5 million coming in 2011-2. The shortfall in that year comes as federal stimulus dollars expire.

While some have pinpointed the recession as the reason for the shortfall, Robb pointed to the Kansas Legislature.

"They projected three years ago they would be $429 million short," he said. "In 2008 they overspent by $400 million. They granted school funding increases greater than their income, spent state's savings account. It was known three and a half years ago. The Legislation did nothing to fix it."

If Robb is correct, the state would decrease its education funding by 32 percent, nearly one-third.

Robb pointed to about $1 billion in tax cuts approved by the state.

KCK Public Schools is one of 62 school districts across the state involved with Schools for Fair Funding.

"This is about advocating for the future of our children," said assistant superintendent Cindy Lane. "If decisions are not made wisely communities with needs will have a greater challenge of providing an education."

Speculation has been rampant that school districts, led by Schools for Fair Funding, would take the state to court again. Three years, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that state education funding would have to increase.