The federal government plans to draw from universities when it fills hundreds of positions in the Kansas City area associated with two divisions that are being moved out of Washington D.C.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is relocating the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The move is meant to benefit producers in the heartland, said U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler of Missouri.
"These two agencies do research on rural America that will help our farmers and our ranchers, as well as they administer the grants that go to rural America, so it makes sense that they get out of Washington D.C. and be right here in the center of the country," Hartzler said.
Up to 450 new jobs, including around 250 which have not been filled, will follow the agencies to KC, with an average salary of around $150,000.
Fewer than half of the USDA workers opted to follow the agency division jobs to Kansas City.
"(The USDA move) is going to save and estimated $20 million a year, or $300 million over the 15-year life of the potential lease, so it's good for taxpayers, and it's going to be good for recruiting," Harzler said.