© 2025 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

KBA To Legislature: 'We're doing what you told us to do!'

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-882024.mp3

Kansas City – Members of the Kansas Bioscience Authority told Governor Mark Parkinson, legislators, researchers and entrepreneurs last night they have been successful in recruiting investment from biotech and animal health companies for Kansas.

That's the mission of the KBA, which was established as a result of the $581 million dollar Economic Growth Act of 2004.

Chad Bettes, spokesman for the KBA, said in an interview before the meeting, that in spite of lingering unemployment and a sputtering Kansas economy, the report from the KBA is a good one:

"In 2009 we have a cumulative impact of 1,170 new jobs related to KBA investment, $112 million in capital investments, and $30 million in equity investments, so the numbers are really starting to hit a critical mass."

The meeting in Topeka is one of several the KBA will hold around the state to talk about the work it is doing and solicit ideas for potential future investments.

As Kansas City grows and diversifies, journalists need to listen to the people, to your challenges and successes..As engagement and solutions editor, I’ll make sure we’re framing stories based on what we hear from you, and we’ll partner with communities so our stories help us understand and connect to one another. Email me at lauraz@kcur.org.
KCUR prides ourselves on bringing local journalism to the public without a paywall — ever.

Our reporting will always be free for you to read. But it's not free to produce.

As a nonprofit, we rely on your donations to keep operating and trying new things. If you value our work, consider becoming a member.