By DaRon McGee
On April 2, Jackson County residents face a generational vote: to uphold the decades-long partnership we have held with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, or gamble with a legacy that has enriched all corners of our community – and one that stands to boost our local economy even further for generations to come.
The Chiefs and the Royals are institutions in Kansas City, driving economic output from restaurants, bars and hotels to local t-shirt companies and Kansas City branded goods. We’re proud to be a major league city – one of the smallest out there. We all bleed Chiefs red, and our sweat and tears are Royals blue; there’s an inexorable link between this city and our teams.
As a Jackson County legislator dedicated to preserving our culture while also ensuring we have sustainable and equitable economic growth, I sponsored the initiative to get Question 1 on the April ballot. I stand strong in my support for a YES vote.
Voting YES on April 2 is more than just an extension of the current partnership under the 3/8 cent sales tax that has supported both the Chiefs and the Royals. It is a commitment to keeping our teams in Jackson County where they belong. This support must remain in place to keep the Chiefs and the Royals home, as the proposed projects hinge on renewing this partnership.
The Proposal
It’s true that this is not the same exact circumstances that we’ve had before. Why is that? It’s an even better proposal.
Under plans offered by the Chiefs and Royals, the two clubs have made historic commitments of over $260 million in Community Benefits Agreements that are pacesetters across the industry. The teams have also agreed to free up $200 million for Jackson County by eliminating our obligation to pay stadium insurance premiums and park levy. The Royals have also guaranteed that the Kansas City Public Schools will be made whole as a part of this proposal and outlined an impressive list of commitments to preserving and elevating their new neighborhood, the Crossroads.
One of the key factors that went into my thinking in order to support this ballot initiative is that no one will pay more in taxes by voting YES on Question 1, and that city and state funding will supplement public money from Jackson County.
Plus, the two teams have also committed more than $1.3 billion in private funding to support both projects – a true public-private partnership. This private money pledged is not just an investment in sports. It’s an investment in the cultural and economic vitality of Jackson County, and an investment into our community. This historic public-private partnership is projected to create jobs and boost enormous economic impact.
Economic boost
A new analysis just released showed that during the construction phase alone, Jackson County will benefit from 5,400 new labor jobs, $300 million in labor income and $800 million in economic output. In total, we’ll see 26,000 jobs created, $1.8 billion in labor income, and $3.8 billion in total economic output.
Our teams play a huge role in our community on and off the field, and these new commitments underscore just how much more they will be doing to support Jackson County in the years ahead, benefiting our children and grandchildren.
Voting YES on Question 1 isn’t just a vote for a new ballpark location and Arrowhead renovations. A YES vote on April 2 is a vote for new good paying jobs, labor income, and billions of dollars in economic output for all of Jackson County.
There’s a reason this vote has the support of so many important voices in our community – the Greater Kansas City AFL-CIO, the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and many others.
Don’t let a few loud voices fool you: This proposal has the support, commitments and buy-in it needs to enhance our entire community.
The Chiefs and the Royals already play a crucial role in the Kansas City economy, driving billions of dollars in economic revenue for Jackson County annually. These plans will only increase that economic output through significant investment back into our community, supporting the ongoing growth of Kansas City tourism and the thriving local business scene.
What’s to lose
When I sponsored the legislation to put Question 1 on the ballot, I knew a new Royals ballpark and renovated Arrowhead were important for the continued growth of Jackson County. Losing our teams would mean the opposite – stifled economic growth and empty stadiums. A Chiefs parade through someone else’s downtown? An Opening Day pitch in another city? It would be nothing short of surreal – and a significant loss to the momentum for our community.
We’ve had that experience before, we can’t risk it again and let our legacy be losing two incredible teams.
Voting YES on April 2 declares your support for Kansas City’s teams while advancing the growth and prosperity of Jackson County.
DaRon McGee is the current chairman of the Jackson County Legislature.
DaRon has sat still in Jackson County while they fail, but he certainly wants to keep the sports here. What he doesn’t know is that he knows so very little about this.topic.amd he clearly doesn’t understand timelines and negotiations.