Changes in play for economic development

city-hall

Mayor Sly James has announced major changes related to tax breaks for developers and other economic development issues.

He introduced an ordinance for a proposed new policy that would set a “new normal” of 50 percent abatement on projects within certain development areas.

It would apply to payments in lieu of taxes, including tax increment financing.

Also from his press release:

The city will also move accounting functions of the Tax Increment Financing Commission from the Economic Development Corporation to city hall.

“We have made progress on many economic development fronts and these two policy changes are natural next steps,” James said. “Now is the time to start a conversation about the appropriate level of incentives we need to grant, especially considering the impact of declining property values felt by all taxing jurisdictions during the recent economic downturn.”

The Mayor also made two appointments to the TIF Commission:

  • Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Circo – serves as the 5th District at-Large representative and appointed as Mayor Pro Tem by Mayor James in 2011.  She has seven years of experience in planning and zoning, municipal finance, and urban housing and neighborhood development. She has a Liberal Arts degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
  • Troy Nash, Vice President, Principal at Newmark Grubb Zimmer – served on the City Council from 1999 until 2007. Nash holds a bachelors degree in economics, a masters degrees in economics and political science, as well as a JD/MBA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Bloch School of Management and the School of Law. He will complete a doctorate in education in 2014 from St. Louis University.

Additionally, Mayor James made four new appointments and one reappointment to the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority (PIEA):

  • Missy Rockers (new appointment), Area Market Manager, Community America Credit Union – also served as Pricing Manager and Manager of Pricing Strategy at YRC Worldwide, Inc. She earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in Business Administration from the University of Kansas City – Missouri.
  • Amy Bretall (new appointment), President, Arbor Grove, LLC. – previously served as the Senior Vice President, Human Resources Manager at Arvest Bank.  Bretall earned her bachelors degree in business, emphasis in human resources management, at Missouri State University and went on to receive her masters in human resources management from Webster University.
  • Vic Terranella (new appointment), President, Teamsters Local 41 – previously served as the union’s Organizer and Business Agent.  Prior to working at Teamsters Local 41, Terranella worked at Roadway Express.
  • Jay Wilson (new appointment), Director of Major Gifts, University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine – Wilson previously held the position of the Development Director at Park University. Wilson serves on the board for the North Kansas City School District. He earned his bachelors degree in political science at the University of Central Missouri and his masters in public administration in public policy from Park University.
  • Demona Manlove-Owens (reappointment), Former business Manager, Construction and Project Manager – Manlove-Owens began her career working as a paralegal for several top law firms within Kansas City. She earned her bachelors degree from Park College in Administration of Justice and Management and has contributed to projects such as the Arrowhead Stadium, Sprint Center, H&R Block.

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