To: Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Members
From: Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
Joan Golden, Chair
Jim Otten, Chair Elect
Jane Bateman
Paul Carttar
Jason Edmonds
Matt Hoy
David Johnson
Bonnie Lowe
Regarding: Deciphera Project
As a result of the Lawrence City Commission meeting Tuesday night (November 13, 2007), the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee at the November 14 meeting unanimously agreed to provide you with additional perspective on the Deciphera Project.
For your clarification we submit the following information:
The Deciphera project approvals were not on the consent agenda at the time of the October 23 meeting. It was in fact the first regular agenda item as printed that night. Commissioner Highberger had requested the Deciphera agenda item be moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda, on Monday, October 22 at 4:00 pm. That change was reflected and publicized on the City website.
Click here to view agenda document
According to the City's Attorney, the overall project, including the associated tax refund provision(s), were covered by Lawrence City Code 1-2130 Other Public Subsidies and Industrial Revenue Bonds
Click here to view Article 21-Economic Development Incentives and Tax Abatement Policy
On January 2, 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was approved by the City of Lawrence. Other approving bodies included: Kansas Bioscience Authority, Douglas County, Lawrence Douglas County Bioscience Authority and Douglas County Development Inc. At this time, the City of Lawrence committed to a maximum investment of $125,000 for ten (10) years. And, the building was to be purchased by the Kansas Bioscience Authority. This current project involves Deciphera purchasing the building.
Click here to view City Commission brief about the issue from Dave Corliss
This project has been endorsed unanimously by a consortium comprised of four local entities the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Douglas County Development, Inc. (DCDI), and the Lawrence-Douglas County Biosciences Authority (LDCBA).
This project has been strengthened from its original adoption (the January 2, 2007 MOU) through the addition of performance standards, employment targets, and clawbacks. Deciphera has willingly accepted all of the contractual provisions. The community, in fact, will gain additional benefits from the net taxes paid, wages, building acquisition, building improvements.
This investment in Deciphera represents a great opportunity for the City.
~ Deciphera's current average wage is $72,000 with the lowest wage at $15/hr and all include health and related benefits.
~Deciphera expects to employ 200 individuals in the next five years.
~Most of these 200 employees will be PhD scientists.
We as the community need to fully embrace this opportunity. Please express your thoughts and support to our City Commissioners and others as soon as possible.
Sue Hack, Mayor suehack@sunflower.com
Mike Dever, Vice Mayor mdever@sunflower.com
Mike Amyx mikeamyx515@hotmail.com
Rob Chestnut robchestnut@sunflower.com
Boog Highberger boog@lawrence.ixks.com
Dave Corliss dcorliss@ci.lawrence.ks.us
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
dotteboy (anonymous) says…
Most of these 200 employees will be PhD scientists.
Wow! What a deal!
toefungus (anonymous) says…
The Chamber is the enemy of the Lawrence taxpayer. They must be audited by an independent auditor and a report made public on what is being done with the public funds. Bonnie Lowe is at the center of a lot of controversy lately, too. PLAY, Chamber, and what else? If you bank with her, you had better be careful. I wonder what her former husband would have to say about her behavior.
WWoftheW (anonymous) says…
Read it for yourselves:
1-2130 other public subsidies and industrial revenue bonds.
a business receiving a public subsidy for economic development purposes, as defined by this section, that is not in the form of a tax abatement, shall enter into a Performance Agreement with the City and shall be required to comply with the wage floor and health insurance requirements of this ordinance. A public subsidy may include the granting of public funds or a public good to a business for the sole purpose of inducing the business to relocate in Lawrence or to remain in Lawrence for economic development purposes. Examples of a public subsidy for economic development purposes in the form of public funds or a public good, include, but are not limited to, the construction of public infrastructure for the sole benefit of a business, without a general City at-large infrastructure benefit; the donation of public land or the reduction of rent for the use of City land or a City building, the reduction or elimination of required City fees, charges, etc. A public subsidy below an annual amount of $100,000 shall not require compliance with the provisions of this ordinance. The provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to a business receiving industrial revenue bonds, unless the industrial revenue bond recipient is receiving a tax abatement for economic development purposes. (Ord. 7706)