Since our official launch in October of last year, CREDA Kansas City has hit the ground running, sponsoring networking and educational events that bring members of the commercial real estate community together to learn about new projects, exchange ideas and get deals done.
As chair of our Government Affairs Committee, I have focused on our chapter’s efforts to support the growth of the commercial real estate industry throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area through effective advocacy on local, state, regional and federal legislation that positively impacts our industry.
To bolster those efforts, more than 20 CREDA Kansas City members met last month with Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, for an engaging discussion on federal tax policy and the future of commercial real estate. The conversation centered on several key federal initiatives, including implementation of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the infrastructure-focused BUILD America 250 Act, and the SPEED Act, which aims to reform the federal permitting process.
The discussion was hosted by Mark Johnson of ARCO Construction in Riverside, Missouri, and moderated by CREDA Kansas City member Joe Oaks, an associate in the real estate practice at Polsinelli. CREDA Kansas City President, Ryan Tompkins from Hunt Midwest welcomed the group.
Congressman Estes represents Kansas’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Since taking office in 2017, he has played a leading role in advancing tax reform, reducing regulatory burdens and implementing trade agreements with key U.S. trading partners.
While discussing the importance of the new tax law, Congressman Estes stated:
“The Working Families Tax Cuts created permanency in the tax code that provides certainty and stability for small businesses throughout Kansas, including those in commercial real estate. As a proud member of the Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to advocate for tax policies that incentivize long-term investment, promote job growth, and push back against overregulation. It was great to speak with CREDA members and discuss the growth of the Kansas City region, which has a positive impact throughout our state.”
Also in attendance was CREDA’s Senior Director of Federal Affairs Eric Schmutz. Schmutz emphasized the importance of Kansas City’s role in shaping public policy:
“While CREDA Kansas City is a new chapter, my time in Washington has taught me that commercial real estate leaders from the Kansas City area have long had a significant influence on local, state and federal policy. Positioned on the Kansas-Missouri border, the Kansas City metropolitan area is not only a major economic driver for both states, but decisions made here often influence policy discussions across the Midwest.”
Coming Up Next
Our next event will be a luncheon on Aug. 27 featuring special guests Korb Maxwell and Ron Ryckman. They will provide an overview of the Kansas City Chiefs stadium agreement, one of the largest cross-border economic incentive deals in the country.
