TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly recently announced Kansas secured the Panasonic electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant project which is projected to bring at least 4,000 new jobs and $4 billion in new business investment to the state. This bipartisan effort is the largest business investment in state history, and Republicans and Democrats alike showed support for the historic win.
Here’s what they’re saying:
- Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt:
“We always welcome business investment in Kansas, and today’s announcement of the new Panasonic project is very good news, especially for the northeast region of our state.”
- U.S. Senator Jerry Moran:
“With this significant development, Kansas is being recognized around the world for our talented workforce, innovative environment and quality of life. Panasonic will bring thousands of good-paying, high-quality jobs to our state which will be a massive economic boost for local businesses and our communities for decades to come. With the goal of making Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering and innovation, we will keep our students, their knowledge and intellect in Kansas.”
“This decision will offer opportunities to Kansans across the state from my hometown in western Kansas to Kansas City and solidify our state’s competitive standing as a sought-out place to live and work.”
- U.S. Senator Roger Marshall:
“Great news today! Panasonic announced it chose Kansas as the location for a brand new battery plant. Billions of dollars in investments and thousands of great jobs are on the way to Kansas!”
- U.S. Representative Sharice Davids:
“I’m excited to welcome Panasonic to Johnson County! This was a collaborative effort that I’m grateful to be a part of, and it’s going to have an amazing impact on our local economy—creating good jobs and attracting other advanced industry to our area.”
- Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson:
“I’d much prefer an incentive like this that incentivizes this kind of stable generational growth,” he said. “It’s akin to bringing aviation to Wichita, which is still there 100 years later.”
“A project of this magnitude is something that can change the state for generations.”
“Kansas is proving itself to be an attractive place where entrepreneurs can unleash innovation and create jobs. The Panasonic announcement shows that attraction is global.”
- Kansas State Senator Cindy Holsher:
“Their results have been super impressive! Gov. Kelly & Lt. Gov. Toland have brought record-setting economic investment/development to the state! We need to keep their forward thinking leadership in place!”
- Speaker Ron Ryckman, Majority Leader Dan Hawkins and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch:
“Kansas has sent a clear message today that it can compete with and win against any state in the Union when it comes to economic development. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without the work of the House Commerce Committee and the legislature. The improvements to the APEX bill were a game changer in adding accountability, transparency, and right-sizing the available incentives so 8,000 new jobs could be created in Kansas.”
- Kansas Rep. Troy Waymaster:
“We want to be an economic driving state. We were obviously in competition with another state, one of our neighbors. And I’m glad to say that the state of Kansas was able to land the deal.”
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