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