Davids, De Soto Leaders Highlight Community Development Needs with Future Panasonic Job Growth
DESOTO, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with DeSoto elected officials and local leaders on how she can best support the community from a federal level as they prepare to welcome a new Panasonic Energy manufacturing plant. Davids worked closely with Governor Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of local leaders in government and business to help attract the $4 billion investment.
"Panasonic's $4 billion investment is a game changer for our community, but we must make sure our public systems, from housing to education, are ready to support this growth," said Davids. "I was proud to help highlight Johnson County's benefits as Panasonic was choosing where to build, and am proud once more to work with local leaders so current and future Kansans have strong roads, quality education, and affordable housing."
Rep. Sharice Davids with De Soto Mayor Rick Walker (left) and De Soto City Administrator Mike Brungardt (right).
"The City of DeSoto has a rich history of supporting critical manufacturing jobs and we're ready to re-ignite this area," said Rick Walker, DeSoto Mayor. "This project requires partnerships at every level of government and it's a testament to what happens when people work together."
"The city is proud to be a part of an innovative industry supporting renewables and manufacturing jobs," said Mike Brungardt, DeSoto City Administrator. "We're working hard to get the infrastructure in place for this incredible economic opportunity."
"This project is an example of what happens when people work together from the local to the federal level," said Sara Ritter, DeSoto Chamber of Commerce President. "Our thriving business community is excited about the opportunity this presents -- and looking forward to continued support from partners across the region."
The Kansas Department of Commerce estimates more than 20,000 jobs will be created because of the Panasonic facility - 4,000 new jobs, 16,500 construction jobs, and 4,000 supplier and community business jobs. To keep up with this job growth, Johnson County and De Soto must now update and invest in their community's systems, from education to business to housing to infrastructure. Davids serves as a partner in the federal government to help bring resources and federal funding home to Kansas.
Davids has worked hard to increase domestic manufacturing and workforce opportunities in Kansas' Third District. In July, Davids voted to pass major, bipartisan legislation aimed at lowering costs for Kansas families and increasing America's global competitiveness by making more goods at home. She was also the only member of the Kansas delegation to support the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is not only improving our roads, broadband, and water quality, but also creating good-paying jobs.
This planned state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, one of the largest of its kind, will create and supply lithium-ion batteries and accelerate the future of electric vehicle innovation on a global scale. Panasonic Energy selected Kansas due to its skilled manufacturing workforce, dedication to sustainability, and commitment to clean and renewable energy. The electric vehicle sector is expected to grow 2.4 percent annually, making the Kansas City region a future national leader.