Why does Feet to the fire on Schlitterbahn subsidies?
It’s encouraging to see the Unified Government try to make sure a developer follows the rules before getting its taxpayer handout. In this case, Wyandotte County officials say they won’t release money for the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village until the developer meets the goals for hiring local, minority- and women-owned contractors. At stake eventually is up to $225 million in public support. One of the reasons the county supported the huge project was to boost hiring of local companies and those owned by women and minorities. If that’s not happening, then the county must hold Schlitterbahn’s feet to the fire. The Texas-based company says it disagrees with the numbers being used by the Unified Government to deny the subsidy payout. It’s essential that this data-related disagreement be worked out in the coming months. The numbers so far: — Wyandotte County contracts are supposed to get work worth at least 18 percent of the total investment; so far it’s 6.75 percent. — Minority-owned con
Feet to the fire on Schlitterbahn subsidies By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist It’s encouraging to see the Unified Government try to make sure a developer follows the rules before getting its taxpayer handout. In this case, Wyandotte County officials say they won’t release money for the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village until the developer meets the goals for hiring local, minority- and women-owned contractors. At stake eventually is up to $225 million in public support. One of the reasons the county supported the huge project was to boost hiring of local companies and those owned by women and minorities. If that’s not happening, then the county must hold Schlitterbahn’s feet to the fire. The Texas-based company says it disagrees with the numbers being used by the Unified Government to deny the subsidy payout. It’s essential that this data-related disagreement be worked out in the coming months. The numbers so far: — Wyandotte County contracts are supposed t
