Kansas City Consulting Firm Announces Massive Layoffs Following Contract Loss

In a startling development, a well-known consulting firm based in the Kansas City area has disclosed that it is set to lay off nearly 200 employees. The decision to terminate employment for a significant portion of its staff comes on the heels of an unexpected contract loss.

Cherokee Nation Federal Consulting Announces Layoffs

Cherokee Nation Federal Consulting, LLC, established at the IRS Processing Center at 333 W. Pershing Road, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN notice) with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on Tuesday. An in-house attorney confirmed that an estimated 187 employees, accounting for the entire workforce at the location, will be affected by the conclusion of the contract on June 30, 2024.

A Blow Following Proud Support to the IRS

The company made it clear that since 2022, it had proudly provided support to the IRS, primarily assisting in managing the backlog of paper tax filings resulting from the pandemic crunch. This contract was temporary and had been prolonged on a monthly basis since December. The firm highlighted their transparency with employees throughout the contract period and promised openness as work concludes and potential subsequent projects are considered.

What the Company Does

Cherokee Nation Federal Consulting employs government contracting experts who work on intricate issues relating to national security, information technology, health solutions, Department of Defense logistics, and humanitarian relief, according to the company’s website. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the company states that all its profit goes toward supporting the Cherokee Nation Tribe.

Impact on Kansas City and Beyond

The layoffs not only affect the livelihoods of nearly 200 local Kansas City residents, but could potentially ripple through the local economy affecting families, businesses, and the community at large. As the company continues to deliberate on subsequent projects following the contract loss, one can only hope that alternative opportunities are presented to those being laid off and that Kansas City quickly recovers from this setback.

Layoffs and the Future

Although the company had alluded to the temporary nature of the contract, the reality of this significant staff reduction is likely a hard pill to swallow for the Kansas City-based employees who had provided critical support during a challenging economic period. As these professionals look towards their future career prospects, it is hoped that the extensive experience gained while at Cherokee Nation Federal Consulting will be leveraged to secure new opportunities in this competitive job market.