Business and Government


Strata Office Tower Proposal Could Face City Council Today

The City Council could today vote on a long-planned Downtown office tower known as Strata, a 250,000-square-foot development at the southwest corner of 13th and Main streets. It is across the street from the world headquarters of H&R Block, which… more

Auditor: Visit KC Needs More Accountability

The City Auditor's Office has released a report saying that Visit KC, the city's economic development agency devoted to promoting tourism, is not reporting its finances in a way that gives a clear picture of how it spends money. Visit… more

Kansas’ Biggest and Costliest Export? Its Talent.

Kansas is great at educating its young people and getting them prepared for the work force. But when they leave for other states, Kansas employers are stuck looking for talent. "Our most valuable export is our educated kids to companies… more

USDA Picks KC Headquarters Site

The USDA has chosen 805 Pennsylvania Ave. as the new headquarters for its Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture offices.  Its decision follows a June announcement by the agricultural department that it was relocating the agencies… more

Mayor Lucas’ Firearms Ordinance Takes Aim at Domestic Violence

Crime is one of the biggest concerns in the Kansas City business community, and the high level of firearms-related offenses in the area accounts for a big chunk of that worry. Mayor Quinton Lucas announced an ordinance that will go… more

Next Step For Hyperloop: 12-Mile Missouri Track Site

The Virgin Hyperloop One, which will be able to take passengers from Kansas City to St. Louis in 30 minutes, according to the company behind it, needs a 12-to-15-mile test track in Missouri for the new form of transportation to… more

UBS: ‘Proceed With Caution’ In This Economy

No, there isn't a sure sign of a recession hitting the U.S. economy any time in the near future, but investors should be aware that there are some elements in place that could create a slight downturn, or at least… more

Mayor Lucas Chooses TIF Commission Nominees

Mayor Quinton Lucas has chosen six members and six alternates for the city's TIF (tax-increment finance) Commission who will decide which development projects do and don't get tax breaks over the next four years, if the nominees are approved by… more

KC Area Leads Kansas Job Growth

Kansas counties in the Kansas City metropolitan area led the rest of the state in job growth over the past year, according to the recently released Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) 2019 Kansas Economic Report. Total employment in the area,… more

Affordable Housing Is Also Complicated Housing

By several accounts the United States has a severe affordable-housing shortage, and Kansas City mirrors that national problem.  On the surface, it seems like an easy problem to solve, simply with the construction of apartment buildings with inexpensive rents. Panelists… more