EC from DC - March 29, 2013

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What a pleasure it was to help announce that more jobs are on the way, as well as more support for farmers and fresher food for area residents. A 100,000 square foot, greenhouse farm will soon be built at the Berkley Riverfront Development, along the Missouri River. BrightFarms, Inc., is building a state-of-the-art, hydroponic greenhouse that will produce up to 1 million pounds of produce. Tomatoes, various lettuces, and herbs are among the crops that will be grown at the new farm.

BrightFarms recognizes how progressively-minded Missouri's Fifth District is when it comes to being ‘green' – and wants to bring their business here to partner with local leaders, companies, and residents.

I want to congratulate all of those who helped make this critical piece of economic redevelopment a reality. Hundreds of people devoted thousands of hours to bring this project to fruition. Partnering with the Port Authority of Kansas City, the farm is expected to help revitalize and reenergize the riverfront, and certainly add to the ongoing efforts to increase urban agriculture in the city. In addition to growing local produce, this will also help to grow our local economy. Green-collar jobs will be added, construction jobs will be continued, and residents will have access to fresh food at cost efficient prices.

"The Kansas City Port Authority and elected officials have been tremendous champions of BrightFarms and have a visionary plan for the future of this city," said BrightFarms CEO Paul Lightfoot. "We can't wait to grow millions of pounds of fresh local produce a year and partner with the most innovative local supermarket."

I believe this announcement is one of many good ones to come. It is a win/win situation and I look forward to continuing to do all I can to attract new business, new jobs, and new economic growth to the entire area.

This week all of those living in Jackson County may have started sleeping a bit more soundly. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Emergency Operations Center marks a new time and a new way of responding in the face of disaster.

Jackson County officials, along with local mayors, rolled up their sleeves and worked together tirelessly on this project, to ensure we will be ready, efficient, and fast in the event of any natural or man-made emergency.

I think it is important to point out that this cooperative effort took place regardless of political party, and without bickering about who would get the credit. A lesson I often tell you I'd like all of us in Washington to learn. Homeland Security and FEMA also played very important roles in guiding this project, and I was pleased to be able to secure funds for this center. It is a center, I believe, that will save lives and create calm when and if chaos strikes.

The Independence/Eastern Jackson County Emergency Operations Center will dramatically increase and improve the ability of first responders and local leaders to both manage, and respond to, a whole variety of possible events. From flooding, fires, and tornados to terrorism, gun violence and any other natural or man-made disaster -- all communities within the county will have access to these services and technologies.

The snow on the ground earlier this week didn't deter from digging into the dirt to get this improvements project underway. The scheduled changes to Emanuel Cleaver, II, Boulevard are needed, and will help to make the area more accessible, safer, and efficient for transportation.

Improvements that will soon be underway include:

• Bike lanes

• New curbs and sidewalks

• New street and pedestrian lights

• Improved crosswalks

• Trees

• And new bus shelters

The bus shelters will have solar powered LED lighting. The bike lanes will allow families to exercise together – burning calories instead of burning fossil fuel to get from one place to another. Trees and landscaping will help beautiful, while better curbs, sidewalks, and lighting will allow neighbors, the disabled, and children get safely from one place to another. The entire project will also help to keep and create jobs.

As I have often said, I do not believe the federal government should be involved in everything. But there is a role for the government to play. The $2 M project was funded in part with federal dollars I was pleased to work for, on behalf of Missouri's Fifth District.

There is good economic news throughout our area, and this is a perfect example of that.

It is hard to believe we are already marking the 3^rd anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. It is giving Americans more security, more healthcare coverage, and more savings.

Already:

• 71 million Americans in private plans are now getting free, preventive services

• 34 million seniors in Medicare are now getting free preventive services

• And more than 6 million seniors have saved almost 6 billion dollars on their prescription drugs.

It used to be that people could lose their health insurance coverage just because they got sick. And a woman could lose her coverage – perhaps at the most important time – when she got pregnant.

Beginning next year – women can no longer be denied coverage for what has been considered by some companies as a pre-existing condition – such as breast or cervical cancer, pregnancy, or having been a victim of domestic violence.

Indeed, hundreds of thousands of people here in Missouri – and millions across the country are already seeing lower costs and better coverage.

• More than 3 million young people are now covered under their parents' plans.

• Next year – 129 million Americans with health conditions will no longer live in fear of constant rate hikes or being locked out of the market completely – because of preexisting conditions.

There is much work to do on this issue, but also much to celebrate. We start with saving money, saving peace of mind – and saving lives.