Davids Hosts Transportation Secretary Buttigieg in De Soto to Highlight Panasonic Job Creation, Clean Energy Investments
DE SOTO, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids welcomed U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to De Soto to view the planned Panasonic Energy manufacturing plant site and discuss the impact of transformational legislation like the bipartisan infrastructure law and CHIPS and Science Act in the state. Davids worked closely with Governor Laura Kelly and a bipartisan group of local leaders in government and business to help attract Panasonic Energy's $4 billion investment, and has been coordinating with city and county officials to ensure the community is prepared for the new growth.
"I'm proud to host Secretary Buttigieg in De Soto to tour the planned Panasonic Energy site and visit the surrounding community. Right here in the Kansas Third, we have a great example of the resurgence of American manufacturing, which I've been working hard to encourage through smart, bipartisan policy," said Davids. "It's especially encouraging to see local investment in industries like electric vehicle battery manufacturing, which is going to continue to provide good jobs and sustainable economic opportunity here in Kansas."
"Representative Davids is somebody who is relentlessly advocating for this district and for this community. She has been a leader in infrastructure from the moment that she got to Washington, and she's somebody who turns to find solutions, especially those bipartisan solutions," said Secretary Buttigieg. "Her support for the bipartisan infrastructure law, for the CHIPS and Science Act, and for the Inflation Reduction Act are all part of what makes it possible for us to now be going around the country celebrating big wins in infrastructure and celebrating big wins when it comes to good-paying, American manufacturing jobs like the ones that are going to happen right here."
The 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. 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. The electric vehicle sector is expected to grow 2.4 percent annually, making the Kansas City region a future national leader.
Davids has made increasing domestic manufacturing and workforce opportunities in Kansas' Third District a priority. Davids helped negotiate and pass the CHIPS and Science Act, major, bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing America's global competitiveness by making more goods at home. Since its passage, several companies have announced major investments in Kansas manufacturing, including Panasonic Energy, Integra, and EMP Shield.
Davids was also the only member of the Kansas delegation to support the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is not only improving Kansas' roads, broadband, and water quality, but also creating good-paying jobs and investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state. Today, she and Secretary Buttigieg discussed the need for strong, continuous oversight as the bipartisan infrastructure law is implemented and communities continue to receive project funding.
Davids also joined Secretary Buttigieg earlier in the day for the official ribbon cutting on the new Kansas City International Airport terminal. The terminal, opening on February 28, adds 39 new gates and will support more efficient airline operations and provide updated technology and amenities for passengers. The project generated up to 5,000 construction-related jobs with more than 240 Kansas City-area firms tapped to work on it—including more than 130 minority- and women-owned business partners.
