KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 1, 2018) – The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri (EDCKC) board of directors has unanimously approved a $576,500 grant to the Hickman Mills C-1 School District for the 2018-19 school year. The source of the funds is the Bannister & I-435 Tax Increment Financing Plan being implemented by Cerner Corporation at its Innovations campus located at 8779 Hillcrest Road.
The plan calls for $6 million in city revenues generated at the Cerner Innovations campus over the next few years to be dedicated to Hickman Mills for College and Career Readiness, STEM, Professional Studies and other district programs.
An advisory committee comprised of Fifth District Councilwoman Alissia Canady, Cerner Community Strategist Anna Hennes and Hickman Mills School District Director of Technology and Learning Systems Dr. Constance Smith, made the request at the Aug. 31 EDCKC board meeting. Smith indicated the funds will be used in areas approved by the district’s internal planning committee and the district’s school board. Students will directly benefit from the first round of funds disbursement during the current 2018-19 school year.
Cerner has completed two buildings and is working on the third and fourth buildings as outlined in the Bannister & I-435 Tax Increment Financing Plan approved by the City Council in October 2013. The allocation to the school district is made on a reimbursement basis following receipt of documentation. An annual report will document the previous year’s expenditures and impact. It is estimated that $1.28 million will be distributed to the school district over the next two school years. Distribution of the full $6 million will be guided by how quickly projects are completed and new employees hired.
“Without the investment and vision of corporate citizens like Cerner, Kansas City would not be experiencing the momentum we currently have,” Mayor Sly James said. “This TIF grant will have a critical impact on our students and community moving forward.”
“As a former school board member, I am excited about how the $6 million education fund from the Cerner project can help Hickman Mills educate and train the next generation to enter the city’s workforce,” said 6th District Councilman Scott Taylor. “This is the largest education fund from a single project in the long history of Kansas City.”
“We are excited to see these investments being made in valuable tools and experiences designed to help prepare students for STEM careers – possibly even those at Cerner – through the hard work and dedication of the Hickman Mills School District,” said Julie Wilson, chief people officer, Cerner. “This is important work that will impact our community for generations.”
“This is a vital component of our engagement with the Hickman Mills School District that will positively impact students,” said Mike Nill, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Cerner. “Innovation is core to our work at Cerner and this grant will allow for programs that help prepare the next generation of workers for that environment.”
“Cindy Circo, chair of the Tax Increment Financing Commission and former city councilwoman for the Fifth District, is pleased with the progress at the Innovations campus and is thrilled that the grant funds are coming to the Hickman Mills School District as planned.
“It is always heartening to see so much hard work pay off,” Circo said. “Cerner’s investment in the project has resulted in the creation of more than 3,000 new jobs to date, as well as an investment in beautification projects for the surrounding neighborhoods. Now, we’re pleased to see funds being made available to the students of the district. This is truly a win for Kansas City.”
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About the EDCKC
The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, is a 501c4 agency that works to retain and grow its resident businesses, attract high opportunity companies to locate in the city and attract and retain a skilled and diverse workforce all to ensure a vibrant community and growing, self-sustaining economy.
About Cerner
Cerner’s health technologies connect people and information systems at more than 27,000 contracted provider facilities worldwide dedicated to creating smarter and better care for individuals and communities. Recognized globally for innovation, Cerner assists clinicians in making care decisions and assists organizations in managing the health of their populations. The company also offers an integrated clinical and financial system to help manage day-to-day revenue functions, as well as a wide range of services to support clinical, financial and operational needs, focused on people. For more information, visit Cerner.com, The Cerner Blog or connect on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or The Cerner Podcast. Nasdaq: CERN. Smarter Care. Better Outcomes. Healthier You.