TOUCHDOWN!!
by Rob Schmidt
Thursday, June 18, 2009

Negotiations are complete. Get ready for some football!

Big news from the governor's afternoon press conference at Missouri Western,Thursday. The Kansas City Chiefs will conduct their summer training camp at Missouri Western for a minimum of 5 years. The Chiefs also committed to another 5 years that will keep the camp in the state of Missouri.

According to the governor, the finalized agreement hasn't changed much in the last few weeks.

The Chiefs are committed to the first 5 years in St. Joseph. Also, the Chiefs will pay $10 million of the $13.4 million it will take to build the athletic facility on the Western campus.

Nixon added a provision to the contract that would allow the state to reclaim some of the tax incentives given to the Chiefs if they do not fulfill their 10 year contract.

Both Chiefs' President Denny Thune and Senate Protem, Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, gave credit to the St. Joseph community.

Thune told the standing room only press conference that the Chief's graciously accept the invitation to come to St. Joseph. Shields credited the St. Joseph community for sticking together and making the summer training camp a reality.

Bids to construct the new facility were accepted by the university Tuesday with 14 contractors submitting proposals. A July 1st ground-breaking is planned with the winning bid expected to be announced in the next few days.