For years, different people have suggested moving more federal jobs out of the District of Columbia and to other parts of the country. The Centers for Disease Control has succeeded in Atlanta, and many wonder if other federal agencies might provide an economic boost to communities outside the Beltway. Not to mention any efforts at de-centralization or ‘swamp-draining.’
Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue – now Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, perhaps remembering the efficiency of the CDC in his home state, has decided to move the offices of the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City.
“The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve,” said Perdue. “This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
The relocation was welcomed by representatives of Kansas City who have been lobbying for a move like this for some time. “This is a major win for the Kansas City region, and I’m pleased that Secretary Perdue was receptive to our calls to bring these agencies to America’s heartland where they can better serve the communities they were created for,” said Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) – remember Kansas City straddles the border of the two states. “While this is just the first step in bringing these agencies to Kansas City, I, along with other members of the Missouri and Kansas delegations, will continue our fight to bring these jobs and economic activity back home.”
The USDA estimates a savings of nearly $300 million over a 15-year period on employment costs and rent – roughly $20 million per year. The savings should allow more funding for needs like rural prosperity programs and agricultural competitiveness.
“I’m pleased the USDA has chosen the Kansas City Metro as the site to relocate its research facilities, and I’m proud to have been a part of the bipartisan effort to advocate for this move. The Kansas City Metro is in the middle of the National Biosciences Corridor that stretches from Manhattan, KS to Columbia, MO, so this selection makes all the sense in the world,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS).
However, not everyone is in favor of the decision. D.C. residents and many Democrats, though notably not the aforementioned ones who represent Kansas City, are opposed to the move and claim it will harm the agency and farmers.
Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), who happens to represent the location of the current offices, is against the move. “Secretary Perdue is ignoring his own Inspector General, he is ignoring Congress, and he is ignoring many of the farmers he supposedly serves. This relocation needs to be halted immediately,” said Wexton.
Wexton and other critics have raised what seem to be legitimate concerns about the speed with which federal workers must uproot their lives for a possible move to Kansas City but private sector job transfers are likely similar. Other concerns about inter-agency collaboration or whether the move is part of a plan to gut the agency out of sight of Washington may have merit but strike a partisan tone that is difficult to parse.
September 30 is the mandatory report date for all relocating employees and those that do not show will be terminated. Some in Congress are trying to forestall that date but chances of success are slim.
