Hi John.

Lowering costs and building an economy that works for everyone are my top priorities.

I understand many Kansans are concerned about our economy. There’s no question that there’s a lot of work we have to do, especially when it comes to making life more affordable.

Thankfully, there are exciting local economic developments that are making a difference. That’s especially true when it comes to Panasonic’s new major manufacturing facility that’s coming to De Soto.

This is the largest-ever economic development project for Kansas and means 4,000 new permanent jobs for our region. I was glad to work with both Republicans and Democrats in Kansas to help make this new investment possible.

I joined local and state elected officials from both sides of the aisle in 2022 to meet with Panasonic and share what makes Kansas a great place to invest — and to see if they would be a good fit for Johnson County.

Now, the new facility is set to open next year. It’s going to have an amazing impact on our local economy. It will also support plenty of new small business jobs – like child care, grocery stores, construction, and more – and attract other advanced industries to our area.

But I also understand there’s more work to do. That’s why I’ve been working with local officials to help prepare our region for the growth that’s coming with this new facility. We must make sure our public systems, from housing to education, are ready.

I’ve been glad to be in regular contact with local officials, including De Soto Mayor Rick Walker, to discuss the necessary planning and infrastructure improvements that are needed to support our region.

For example, the bipartisan infrastructure law that I helped pass is supporting upgrades to help our communities prepare.

That includes installing new decking on the K-10 bridge over Lexington Avenue, which will serve as the primary route to the new Panasonic plant. This will help  address the planned increased reliance on the roadway.

I shadowed workers at the K-10 Lexington Avenue Exit in one of my Sharice’s Shifts to get a firsthand update. I helped with potholing for utilities, a non-destructive digging process that uses vacuum excavation to dig precision holes to expose utility lines.

There’s more work to do to keep our economy moving forward, especially when it comes to making life more affordable for Kansas families. Thankfully, Panasonic’s new facility is a huge win that’s driving our region forward.

It’s an honor and privilege to serve you in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

My warmest regards,

Sharice L. Davids
Member of Congress

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