by Jeff Quibell
6. May 2009 19:51
The Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation made an excellent presentation to the City Council this week, giving us a peek at the future of our city and state as an international center for animal and human health research.
The development of the Missouri Innovation Park will bring the original vision of higher paying jobs in Blue Springs to fruition.
The City Council realized several years ago that is was important for development on the Parkway to be well-rounded. Encouraging retail and restaurants in close proximity has facilitated a broader interest in the parkway, making it a desirable place to locate companies that will fulfill the original plan conceived more than 20 years ago.
Organizations such as the University of Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light, the Kansas City Area Development Council and the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute are on board and actively promoting Blue Springs as the premier place for this development. Our city has contributed greatly to the initial progress. As citizens, we should support our elected representatives as they carefully consider dedicating future resources to ensure that this development is successful.
New payroll to our citizens and those employed within the project is estimated at approximately $192 million when the project is fully developed. With $341 million in capital investment and as much as 1.74 million square feet in new real estate to be constructed, the total development could bring 3,765 new jobs with an additional 2,140 jobs created indirectly during the construction phases of the project.
When Wanda and I moved here in 1984, Blue Springs was known nationally as the fastest growing community in our nation. The Missouri Innovation Park will shine an international spotlight on Blue Springs in the animal and human health science research industry, and will encourage economic growth and investment throughout our city.
I have participated in many discussions over the last four years, and know that this opportunity was truly a collaborative effort. It was made possible by community leaders willing to adjust the original vision of Adams Dairy Parkway and allow for necessary changes. To Mayor Ross, Brien Starner of the Economic Development Corporation and all of those leaders who continue to support the new vision of Adams Dairy Parkway, I extend my compliments on the progress thus far. Now is the time for the entire City Council to work together and focus on the future to nurture this exciting project for our community!
