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Chinn happy Missouri locations in USDA finals

Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn says she’s excited Kansas City and St. Louis are among the finalists for the relocation of some USDA agencies. Chinn tells Brownfield Ag News, “The Kansas City and St. Louis areas have both had some USDA offices and they’ve seen great success. We think that the employees that work there are close to the communities that they serve. They understand the community that they serve and so we’re excited about that. We think it’s going to bring a lot of talent to the Midwest.”

Chinn tells Brownfield her department has been heavily involved with Governor Parson’s office and the Missouri Department of Economic Development to make Missouri a top contender and remains in touch with USDA, “We’re doing everything that we can at the Department of Agriculture to answer any questions that they might have, to be very helpful. And, to let them know that we’re just here as an asset. We’re here to be a part of the team to help them in any way that we can.”

The USDA has narrowed the list of applicants for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) relocation to Kansas City, Indiana and North Carolina. St. Louis and Madison, Wisconsin are named as alternative locations if the top three don’t work out.