Kansas Invests $10M in National Guard Center, STEM Programs

0:00A nearly $10 million investment has turned in 1956 armory in Kansas City, Kansas, into a state-of-the-art National Guard Readiness. Center. They cut the ribbon Thursday morning at 100 South 20th Street, with Governor Laura Kelly and other leaders on hand. The spot now supports Guard units and youth STEM programs through Kansas City Starbase. We're kicked off in 2023, revamping the basement and first floor, with new ceilings, lighting, electrical systems, communication gear, and networks. It costs $6.8 million total for this, $4.9 million federal, $1.9 million stayed on top of a $2.6 million structural fix back in 2014. For folks like Kansas Army National Guard Chief of Staff Rodney Seba, who started his career there in 2005, it's a personal win. The center houses the first battalion, 6.35th armor, plus recruiting, artillery, and troop command units. Meanwhile, Starbase draws about 1,800 kids a year for hands-on science, tech, engineering, and math lessons.

1:06Kansas runs one of the biggest Starbase networks nationwide, with five sites across the state, and this upgrade gives them more room to serve even. Better? The program started here in 1999, bounced around nearby spots, then came back stronger. Governor Kelly says the revamp facility boosts Kansas's strength, safety, and resilience, setting up guard members and young learners for the long. Hall, stay informed with Kansas News today, AI-powered updates.