Quality-of-life amenities fuel Johnson County growth

Johnson County leads the state in private-sector job growth. But it isn’t low taxes that are fueling its economy, local officials say. Rather, it is taxpayer-funded amenities – parks, bike paths, ball fields, festivals, pothole-free roads and well-regarded public schools – that are drawing families and attracting employers, the Kansas City Star reported. Johnson County taxpayers have voted many times to increase their taxes to pay for more quality-of-life improvements. One parent group is even suing for the right to pay more school taxes under state law, the Star reported. “In Johnson County historically, the lowest possible taxes are not necessarily the best economic development policy,” said Blake Schreck, president of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published September 30, 2014 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Quality-of-life amenities fuel Johnson County growth."