News


Report values KC housing market at $189B in 2020

A strong housing market in 2020 placed the Kansas City metro’s housing value at $189 billion, according to a report from Zillow. The U.S. housing market gained more value in 2020 than any year since 2005, according to the report.… more

Restrictions remain in JoCo with two-month extension

In a 5-2 vote by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday, certain COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place in the county for at least the next two months. The board's vote moves the expiration of a public… more

Kansas labor department selects new secretary

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Amber Shultz of Lawrence, Kan. as the state's new Secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). Shultz will serve in an acting capacity until the Kansas Senate confirms her as the new head of the… more

Coping with COVID: Kansas City to add COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force to coordinate distribution

The COVID-19 vaccination rate among residents of Kansas City, Mo. is expected to pick up soon, the Kansas City Council voting to approve the creation of a COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force. As of Thursday, Jan. 28, Missouri is tied at… more

Affordable housing ordinance receives vote of approval from Kansas City Council members

Future incentivized apartment housing projects in Kansas City, Mo. face a new ordinance that will take effect in April. During a Thursday Kansas City Council meeting, members unanimously approved an ordinance that requires a minimum of 20 percent of units… more

GDP rises in Q4, year shows overall decline of 3.5 percent

After a year dominated by COVID-19, the economy closed 2020 in decent conditions, all things considered. Gross domestic product (GDP), increased at a 4 percent pace in the fourth quarter, slightly below the 4.3 percent expectation from economists surveyed by… more

SBA applies extension to 8(a) business development program

The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted an extension to select 8(a) Program participants due to COVID-19 challenges, allowing eligible applicants to elect a one-year program extension in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) program helps these firms… more

Overland Park OneDigital adds $7B in assets with acquisition

OneDigital Retirement + Wealth in Overland Park, Kan., one part of the whole that makes up OneDigital Investment Advisors in Atlanta, Ga., has gained new strength through the company’s latest acquisition of Fulcrum Partners. The acquisition has added roughly $7… more

In a Nutshell

We now have a new, much more liberal president. One of his first actions was to propose an additional $1.9 trillion stimulus package that includes $1,400 per-person direct payments to most households, a $400 per week unemployment insurance supplement through… more

Weekly jobless claims fall below expected totals

In the week ending January 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 847,000, a decrease of 67,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 14,000 from 900,000 to 914,000. The… more