ORDINANCE NO. 210989

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Authorizing an application to the Missouri Development Finance Board for the authorization of state tax credits in the amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 to support a facility expansion for the Grooming Project; and authorizing the City Manager to execute a tax credit agreement with the Missouri Development Finance Board in connection with the tax credits.

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WHEREAS, the Grooming Project is located at 5829 Troost, Kansas City, Missouri, in the 5th Council District; and

WHEREAS, the Grooming Project was established in 2016 as a non-profit entity to provide training and jobs in the living wage industry of pet grooming for homeless single mothers with children as a pathway out of poverty and homelessness; and

WHEREAS, over 70 parents have graduated from these training programs and found meaningful family-supporting work in the field of pet grooming throughout Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, the Grooming Project appears to be the only nonprofit grooming school in the country; and

WHEREAS, the Grooming Project will undertake a $3 million dollar rehabilitation of a vacant building located at 5805 Troost (the “Project”) which will double capacity for pet care services and the number of graduates from their workforce training program; and

WHEREAS, this expansion of facilities will result in hiring of additional staff and creation of construction jobs, allow for expanded training and conference activities, and allow them to begin offering retail sales on site, which will expand job opportunities for economically disadvantages individuals and provide additional revenue to support programs/services of this non-profit; and

WHEREAS, construction of this Project is anticipated to commence in early 2022 and has a target completion date of December 2022, with commencement of operations in Spring 2023; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the Council authorizes the City Manager to submit an application to the Missouri Development Finance Board (“MDFB”) in the amount of $1,000,000.00 for tax credits under the Contribution for Tax Credit program to assist in fundraising and financing for the Grooming Project.

Section 2. That the Council authorizes the City Manager to execute a tax credit agreement with the MDFB for the issuance of tax credits by the MDFB in the amount of $1,000,000.00.  Such agreement is approved in such form as the City Manager shall determine to be appropriate for the purposes contemplated by this ordinance.

Section 3. That the Council finds and determines that the project will significantly benefit the City and the State, the benefits derived by the State are expected to exceed the benefits provided in the tax credit agreement, and the project would not proceed without the assistance provided by the MDFB.

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Approved as to form and legality:

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Emalea Kaye Black

Assistant City Attorney