Banking & Financial Services

Missouri rural broadband providers net over $90 million in latest investment from USDA

The latest investment for Missouri rural broadband expansion has brings in $91.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Grant funding will be distributed through the national ReConnect Program, or Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program, originally launched in 2018. The… more

UMKC awarded thousands for research on residential hazards

The U.S.  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $699,997 to the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC), included in the $9.4 million to 13 universities and public health organizations to improve our understanding of the longer… more

Eligible Kansas businesses, homes receive CARES Act funding for rental assistance

Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Kansans experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in rental assistance.  Approximately $35 million of CARES Act funding is now available through the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program,… more

Missouri receives millions for rural broadband expansion

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt on Thursday commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that it is investing an additional $91.5 million in grant funding through the ReConnect Pilot Program to expand rural broadband in Missouri. The Fiscal Year 2020 government funding bill,… more

Beige Book report shows KC economic activity increased slightly in September

In the latest Beige Book, overall economic activity continued to increase across all districts, with the pace of growth characterized as slight to modest in most districts. Changes in activity varied greatly by sector. Manufacturing activity generally increased at a… more

New Senate bill to tackle purported bank discrimination

This week Congress members introduced a new bill called the Fair Access to Financial Services Act to the Senate Banking Committee. The bill seeks to outlaw discrimination against bank customers, supporters claiming that a loophole in federal law allows discrimination… more

Single family homeowners receive forbearance extension

On Tuesday, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced it is extending the date for single family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages to request an initial forbearance from their mortgage servicer to forbear their mortgage payments for up to six months. Homeowners… more

KCRise Fund to receive investment from region’s largest insurance provider

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC), the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare insurance provider, announced today it will invest in KCRise Fund II, which funds high-growth, early-stage technology companies in the Kansas City area. “Blue KC’s investment… more

Missouri town receives grant for water, sewers from U.S. Department of Commerce

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.8 million grant to the city of Moberly, Missouri, to make water and wastewater infrastructure improvements needed to support businesses growth. The… more

Johnson County program to deliver more CARES Act funding to small businesses

A new government lifeline designed to boost Johnson County entrepreneurs hit by the COVID-19 pandemic soon will offer a one-time $10,000 grant to qualified recipients. “Many of Johnson County’s small businesses have limited resources and access to capital during this unprecedented… more