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Economy

Restaurant Industry Seeks Bailout From Congress

The restaurant industry has had widespread strife since stay-at-home orders were put into place in states across the country, and now the National Restaurant Association (NRA) lobbying group is asking Congress for funding. The group is reportedly asking Congress for… more

Cheesecake Factory Getting $200M Cash Infusion

Restaurant chain The Cheesecake Factory, with two prominent area locations, has received $200 million in financing from a private investment group. The company, based in California, has locations in the Country Club Plaza, as well as one on 119th Street… more

Conagra Plant in Marshall Shutting Down

A Conagra plant in Marhsall, Mo., is shutting down after about 20 employees there tested positive for COVID-19. The plant, which reportedly was already practicing social distancing and making sanitation efforts, is set to reopen on April 27. The company… more

KS, MO Both Facing Major Budget Shortfalls

The State of Kansas is predicting major budget shortfalls due to income taxes not being filed until the next fiscal year, and Gov. Laura Kelly has announced that no new positions will be filled with the state and all discretionary… more

Even Tech Not Immune to COVID-19

The technology industry, which has seen incredible growth over the last several years due to nearly every industry adapting its services and devices, has also gotten smacked by COVID-19. Job listings in the Kansas City area, which has seen a… more

$450B More Might be On the Way for Small Businesses

There might be $450 million more on the way for small-business and hospital relief if the measure is approved by Congress. The Senate is scheduled to meet today, and the House could vote as early as Wednesday, according to an… more

Best Buy Furloughs Hourly Employees

National electronics chain Best Buy, which operates eight stores in the Kansas City Metro area, is furloughing 51,000 hourly employees and nearly all of its part-time workers. The retailer switched to curbside-only business on March 22, due to COVID-19, and… more

White House Rolls Out Three-Phase Reopening Plan

President Donald Trump has released a three-phase advisory plan for states to reopen the country. For states to start reopening, the policy says, there needs to be  downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases over a 14-day period, the ability for hospitals… more

KC Fed Encourages Shrinking Digital Divide

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City recently launched a program called the Employer Laptop Challenge, a community development program that encourages companies and other organizations to donate used computers and other devices to nonprofits, schools and firms that refurbish… more

Commerce Bancshares Paying Out Dividend

Kansas City-based Commerce Bancshares is paying dividends to shareholders still, despite challenges posed to the economy due to COVID-19. The company just declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share for common stock, and payments are expected to be paid… more