Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder Press Releases
September 6, 2012
Kinder tours facilities at Missouri Western, highlights success of Chiefs training camp
He calls camp's move a win for Missouri, St. Joseph
ST. JOSEPH – Lt. Governor Peter Kinder visited Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, where he called the venture that brought the Kansas City Chiefs training camp to the university in 2010 a "win for the people of Missouri, keeping tourism dollars here; a win for St. Joseph and its economy; and a win for Missouri Western, which now is unique in the MIAA in the quality of facilities it has."
Kinder today met with Missouri Western President Dr. Robert Vertabedian, Athletic Director Kurt McGuffin and Director of Athletic Facilities Mike Halloran to discuss the recently completed third year of the Chiefs summer training camp in St. Joseph and to tour the new athletic facilities that were built as part of the incentives package that brought the Chiefs to the university.
Kinder was chairman of the Missouri Development Finance Board when it approved $25 million in state tax credits that helped secure the return in 2010 of the Chiefs training camp to St. Joseph from River Falls, Wis. Kinder helped negotiate the incentives package.
“Like a successful football season, bringing the Chiefs’ training camp back to Missouri was the result of a lot of hard work, dedication and the persistent pursuit of a common goal,” he said. “Just as a successful football team requires leadership, dedication, perseverance and teamwork, the Chiefs’ moving its camp to Missouri Western was the culmination of several years of effort from many quarters.”
The project included construction of new practice facilities at Missouri Western, including an indoor practice field, a new end zone complex, a parking lot and additional outdoor practice fields.
In 2010, officials estimated 60,000 people visited St. Joseph and the Missouri Western campus to watch the Chiefs train. Last year, the number dropped because of the NFL labor dispute, but the visitors rebounded again this year.
“Aside from the direct economic benefit, there are intangibles that, although harder to gauge, are no less meaningful,” Kinder added. “Missouri Western is now the fastest-growing university in Missouri. The exposure from hosting the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp undoubtedly contributes to all the other great things you’re doing at Missouri Western. I’m proud to have played a role in bringing the Chiefs training camp back to Missouri and, especially, to St. Joseph and Missouri Western.”