Kansas City, Missouri wins the latest round in the economic “border wars.” by regaining a company that started on the Missouri side, but moved to Leawood.
A. B. May Company will be moving its headquarters to a former “big box” retail building at 50th and I-435 in Eastern Kansas City. The Economic Development Committee endorsed property tax abatement to offset May's payments on the $12 million in bonds the city will issue.
Councilman Scott Taylor explained that by issuing the bonds, the city opens the door for more than 6 million dollars in state incentives that would not otherwise be available.
The move itself will bring 165 employees to the facility. AB May expects to add 130 more jobs over the next 5 years.
The company specializes in heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical products, installation and repairs.
The committee also endorsed $2 million in city assistance for the developers of a 137-unit apartment project in the River Market area.
Another council committee approved an ordinance that would increase fines for animal cruelty, including animal fighting. It also irons out several technical problems with the city's ordinance regulating urban chicken raising.
