O.
University Daily Kansan / Friday, October 18, 1991
5
KU joins effort to lure plant to KC
McDonnell Douglas could benefit from University engineering program
By Keith Thorpe Special to the Kansan
A top-rated aerospace program at the University of Kansas could contribute to the chances of Kansas City, Mo., landing McDonnell Douglas' new aircraft-manufacturing plant.
The plant, which would build the company's new MD-12 commercial airliner, would generate thousands of dollars in revenue from dozens of dollars to Kansas City's economy.
In addition, the plant would provide career opportunities for KU aerospace-engineering graduates
Although he would not discuss specifics of the Kansas City proposal, John Thom, McDonnell Douglas company representative, said the company knew about KU's department of aerospace engineering.
"I think the Kansas City proposal has made us aware of the fact that there is a KU program," he said.
Saeed Farokhi, interim director of the department, said KU's program was well known in the industry and could help the city's chances.
"The strength of our program is known to our colleagues at McDonnell Douglas," he said. "We are part of a package put to them as to why they should consider Kansas City as a possible site."
Farokhi said the department would work closely with McDonnell Douglas if it decided to build the plant at Kansas City International Airport, the site proposed by Kansas City's negotiating team.
"We believe that having KU aerospace next door is a great plus for
them to consider with location," Farokhi said.
The availability of employee-training facilities would play a role in the company's decision. Thom said.
Farokhi said the department would be willing to offer McDonnell Douglas educational programs that would benefit the company's engineers.
"We can train their engineers through a graduate program, provide them with specialized skills with graduate courses or short courses, and counsel them on industrial research and development projects," he said.
"We would not alter our programs, but we are going to add new capabilities so McDonnell Douglas could benefit from our proximity."
C. Edward Lan, professor of flight research, said he was looking forward
to working with McDonnell Douglas if the company chose Kansas City for its new plant.
"We want to work with them," he said. "We would provide education opportunities for them, and it would offer better opportunities for our students."
Farakhi said KU had an internship program with McDonnel Douglas that could expand if the plant was built in Kansas City.
Steve Maley, Kansas City, Mo., senior, said a plant in Kansas City would be helpful to aerospace students.
"In St. Louis, where there is a plant, there are Park College and the University of Missouri at Rolla nearby who have aerospace programs," he said. "I'm sure they do a lot of recruiting at those schools."
Rating may influence decision
By Keith Thorpe Special to the Kansan
Kansas City's fourth-place ranking in Fortune magazine's list of the top 10 cities in which to do business may influence McDonnell Douglas' decision to build a plant at Kansas City International Airport.
Luther Washington, representative for Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Emmel Cleaver, said the rating was up from the company toward Kansas City.
"I think that this looks good to McDonnell Douglas," he said. "I think it helps Kansas City's position."
The rankings, based on tax structure, quality of labor pool, and labor and housing costs, rated Kansas City behind Atlanta, the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Pittsburgh.
Roundout on the top 10 were Nashville,Tenn.; Salt Lake City; Charlotte, N.C.; Orlando, Fla.; Austin, Texas, and Phoenix.
Cleaver said Fortune's ranking was no surprise to city leaders.
"Our economy is on an even ceel," he said. "We don't have a lot of dips and a lot of highs.
in addition to that, we still have a quality of life that is unequaled on either coast."
Washington said quality of life and business environment were important to McDonnell Douglas.
"Part of the McDonnell Douglas request had to deal with the quality of life in the prospect cities," he said. "This demonstrates that Kansas City is among the top cities in this respect."
-The Associated Press contributed information to this story.
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