Overland Park, KS - Money Magazine issued its national rankings of top cities today and Overland Park finished among the Top 10 communities.

Overland Park was rated seventh as one of the "Best Places to Live." Amenities mentioned include outstanding schools, the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the downtown Overland Park Farmers Market and Overland Park Soccer Complex.

"Overland Park leaders have continuously strived to be above and beyond in every effort of building this top notch city," said Mayor Carl Gerlach. "Today's recognition is acknowledgement of that achievement. However, know that Overland Park will not remain still. We know we have more to achieve."

Money Magazine focused, in part, on local economies when considering cities across the country. The Overland Park Soccer Complex, which opened in September, has had a distinct impact on surrounding businesses.

This $35 million complex is paid for by the transient guest tax charged to customers of Overland Park hotels and motels. This year it's estimated that tournaments and regular games will have a $7 million economic impact on Overland Park.

From July 20 to 25, the US Youth Soccer National Championships will be hosted at the Soccer Complex. Nearly 6,000 hotel room nights are expected to be reserved by families and members of the 64 teams coming to the city. The tournament may have an economic impact exceeding $1 million.

"In addition to the soccer complex, Black & Veatch is locating its world headquarters in Overland Park, hiring 300 new engineers this year, with plans to grow in the years to come. Other companies have added 3,000 new jobs to the Overland Park economy in 2009 and this year," said Gerlach.

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Contact: Mayor Carl Gerlach, 913/895-6104
Sean Reilly, communications manager, 913/895-6109