PRESS RELEASE

101 E. Kansas St. - Liberty, Mo. 64068 - Phone: 816.439.4415 - Fax: 816.439.4419 - W: www.ci.liberty.mo.us

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

DATE:             March 11, 2010

CONTACT:     Karan Johnson, Economic & Business Development manager, T: 816.439.4532,
E: kjohnson@ci.liberty.mo.us

 

New task force setting the stage for innovation business park

 

LIBERTY, Mo. - A new Science and Technology Executive Task Force is building a foundation for Liberty's economic future.  The new, 14-member task force is taking the next steps to bring a technology and innovation business park to Liberty with the ultimate goal of improving Liberty's workforce, technology opportunities and business growth.

Members of the executive task force are:

Blane Barker, professor, William Jewell College
Pete Burney, vice president, Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Mike Brewer, superintendent, Liberty Public School District
Greg Canuteson, mayor, City of Liberty
Joe Crossett, CEO Liberty Hospital
Bill Dunn III, JE Dunn Construction
John Engelmann, Manager of Economic Development, KCP&L
Tim Harris, STAR Development Corp.
Karan Johnson, Economic & Business Development manager, City of Liberty
John Parry, Parry Group
Tony Reinhart, regional director of Government Affairs, Ford Motor Co.
Dr. David Sallee, president, William Jewell College
Alicia Stephens, executive director, Partnership for Community Growth & Development
Jeff Watt, councilmember, City of Liberty

"While other cities have staggered through these tough economic, we are persevering and preparing to come out of this recession stronger than ever," said Liberty Mayor Greg Canuteson.  "This won't happen overnight.  But if we start now, in the dark hours of this recession, we will be better positioned than other cities when the economy turns around."

The executive task force is the product of the Science and Technology Task Force initiated by Mayor Canuteson in 2009.  That original task force recommended a second group be convened comprised of community partners, regional and national developers and owners of large tracts of land in Liberty, who could "develop an attractive legislative and regularity environment."

Although still early in its development, the S&T executive task force already met with the City Council and representatives from Blue Springs Economic Development Council to discuss ways in which the communities could work together to this end.  Liberty and Blue Springs officials are lobbying the Missouri General Assembly to pass legislation that would have a positive impact on economic development opportunities for Liberty and all communities in Missouri.

The creation of the Science & Technology Executive Task Force is the latest step in the City's efforts to encourage development opportunities in light industrial, manufacturing and technology parks thereby creating jobs in the community.  As a result, the Liberty City Council adopted a policy that increases tax abatements to 75 percent for new light industrial businesses that invest up to $6 million and bring 50 new jobs to Liberty. The City will also allow abatements up to 90 percent in property tax abatements if a percentage of higher paying jobs will be included; the buildings will be certified by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System; or if the project will be located within a "green" park.

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