News Releases
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 News from the City of Lawrence
(Sent: 2010-07-28 09:23:33)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010 News from the City of Lawrence
1) Street maintenance planned for Thursday on Oread Avenue
2) Lawrence granted Foreign Trade Zone Designation
3) Brown Bag Concert Series concludes with The Good Ole Boys
4) Indoor Aquatic Center to close for annual maintenance
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1) Street maintenance planned for Thursday on Oread Avenue
(Lawrence, Kan.) – Weather permitting, city street maintenance crews will begin paving the 1200 block of Oread Avenue on Thursday, July 29. Crews will begin work at 6:00 a.m. and finish by 4:00 p.m. The block will be closed to traffic during the paving operation.
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Contact: Roger Zalneraitis, economic development administrator, City of Lawrence, (785) 832-3472, rzalneraitis@ci.lawrence.ks.us or Beth Johnson, vice president – economic development, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, (785) 865-4425, bjohnson@lawrencechamber.com.
2) Lawrence granted Foreign Trade Zone designation
(Lawrence, Kan.) - The City of Lawrence and the Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce Lawrence businesses will now benefit from the advantages of the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ). This designation provides greater flexibility for manufacturers located in the city.
The original non-profit “grantee” for Foreign Trade Zone Status under the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone Act of 1934 is the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone, Inc. for FTZ activities in and around the greater Kansas City U.S. Customs Port of Entry. The new designation allows Douglas County businesses that import, distribute or manufacture products with imported components to export the final product without tariffs.
“This designation allows our local businesses to compete effectively with foreign manufacturers,” said Tom Kern, Chamber President and CEO. “It provides flexibility and reduced cost that ensures manufacturing and distribution remains economically viable and profitable now and into the future.”
Traditionally, FTZs were limited to one or two areas within a metro region. Under the new framework, participation has been expanded to a larger number of areas in the Kansas City area and allows firms to participate at their current and/or new locations. Businesses must apply for FTZ status. The process for securing FTZ status is now much shorter and less expensive than it was previously. Participating businesses will see costs of their investment pay off quickly through reduced Customs duties and lower fees they typically would pay on their imports. Customs duties can be reduced or even eliminated for certain manufacturing, processing, and assembly activities occurring in FTZs.
“From an economic development standpoint, this is excellent news for Lawrence and Douglas County,” said Mayor Mike Amyx. “It is yet another incentive our businesses can use to be competitive in a global economy.”
The process of expanding the Foreign Trade Zone to include Lawrence and Douglas County began in spring 2009. In addition to Douglas County, Shawnee, Wyandotte, Johnson, Miami and Leavenworth also are included in the expanded Foreign Trade Zone.
Firms interested in learning more about FTZs or applying for FTZ status can contact the Greater Kansas City Foreign Trade Zone, Inc. at (816) 474-2227.
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3) Brown Bag Concert Series concludes with The Good Ole Boys
(Lawrence, Kan.) – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Brownbag Concert Series concludes this week with a performance by The Good Ole Boys.
The concert will begin at noon tomorrow, July 29, in front of U.S. Bank, 900 Massachusetts St. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at Watkins Community Museum, 1047 Massachusetts St.
The concert is free and open to the public.
For more information regarding the concerts, contact Duane Peterson, special events supervisor, at (785) 832-7940.
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4) Indoor Aquatic Center to close for annual maintenance
(Lawrence, Kan.) – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will be closed Saturday, July 31- Sunday, Aug. 15, for annual maintenance. The center will reopen with fall operating hours beginning Monday, August 16.
The annual shutdown allows staff the opportunity to perform maintenance that cannot be done when the facility is in use.
The Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., will maintain its regular hours with a morning lap swim available 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and open swim from 1-8:45 p.m. daily through August 11.
All monthly and annual pass holders will have two weeks added to their account at no extra charge, and may still use their pass at the Outdoor Aquatic Center during the time of shutdown.
The Aquatic Division office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and staff may still be contacted at 832-SWIM. For the schedules of both the Indoor and Outdoor Aquatic Centers, please visit the department’s website, www.lprd.org.
For more information, contact Jimmy Gibbs, aquatics manager, (785) 832-7946.
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