National

Department of Labor Reports on Productivity

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that labor productivity in the nonfarm business sector increased at a 3.1-percent annual rate during the third quarter of 2016, the first increase in that measure after three consecutive declines. An Associated… more

Income, Spending and Prices Are on the Rise, Says Commerce Department

The likelihood of an interest-rate increase from the Federal Reserve grew today with the release of October’s consumer spending and personal income numbers from the United States Commerce Department. The Commerce Department also said that consumer spending in October increased… more

Johnson County Gateway Swings Into Service

The meeting of routes 35, 435 and K-10 is about to become a much more driver-friendly meeting as the Johnson County Gateway swings into full effect over the coming week. Yesterday in Lenexa, officials celebrated a ribbon-cutting for the completion… more

Kauffman Foundation Stresses the Importance of “Main Street” Entrepreneurs

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation shared some information today from its report on what it calls “Main Street” entrepreneurs, owners and founders of companies more than five years old and with 50 or fewer employees—companies that account for 63 percent… more

Study Says Entrepreneurship Is Alive and Well

The 2016 Kauffman Index of Main Street Entrepreneurship, released today by Kansas City’s Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, indicates an increase of small business activity across the country. A particularly good sign, the report says, is a consistent rise in the survival… more

Boeing to Consolidate Space and Move Jobs

In a move the company says will make it a stronger partner for customers, Boeing [NYSE: BA] is undertaking a series of consolidations and work movements aimed at increasing efficiency in its Defense, Space & Security business. In addition to… more

AMC Adds Theatres with $1.2 Billion Merger

Kansas-based AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) will acquire Georgia-based Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC) in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion. According to David Passman, Carmike president and CEO, “In addition to providing Carmike stockholders with significant value and the… more

KC Companies Reach Goes Far Beyond Home

Kessinger/Hunter has joined four other Kansas City area companies in a project with Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE:IRM)—the storage and information management services company. The other Kansas City firms that have been brought on for the project are, JE Dunn Construction,… more

What’s Next for the Affordable Care Act?

Kansas City’s Lockton Benefit Group is offering some perspective on the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in light of Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. presidential election: “President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the message that if elected, he… more

Employers Don’t Expect Revenue to Keep Pace with Medical Benefits Costs

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.— a risk management and benefits solutions firm—has released the results of its 2016 Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey of more than 3,000 U.S.-based employers, with findings on benefits strategy and trends. Here are some of… more