Regional

Central Bank of the Midwest Buying BankLiberty Parent for $104M

Central Bancompany, the parent of Central Bank of the Midwest, is purchasing Liberty Bankcorp, owner of BankLiberty, in a $42-per-share stock deal that totals $103.7 million.  The transaction, expected to close in the third quarter, will bring Central to $2.3… more

Sears Starts a New Chapter in Overland Park

We're so used to hearing about Sears Holdings (and retailers in general) closing stores lately that it came as an unexpected surprise when the company, relatively fresh out of bankruptcy, announced it was testing a new concept. Overland Park--specifically 6327… more

Retail Downturn? Not at Block: Investors Spend $22M on Three Shopping Centers

There's been a lot of talk about a retail real estate downturn and the end of shopping in physical stores as we know it. Apparently, David Block and a group of local investors didn't get the news. His firm, Block… more

Cerner Looks to Improve Operations, Retools Board

Cerner Corp. management, in an agreement with activist investor Starboard Value LP, is taking measures to improve its operating margins. The news comes after the company's fourth-quarter report, in February, when earnings came in at $131.3 million, down from $336.7… more

Cohen-Esrey Bringing Upscale Apartment Complex to Midtown

A luxury apartment complex is coming to Midtown Kansas City, in the former Missouri Gas Energy building, at 3420 Broadway Blvd. Cohen-Esrey Development Group is converting the current structure into 107 one- and two-bedroom luxury units expected to open in… more

Polsinelli Tabs Two to Lead KC Office

Polsinelli, which has more lawyers on staff than any other law firm based in Kansas City, has announced that two of them will oversee the Kansas City office, in new roles created under the firm's new chairman and CEO, Chase… more

ProPharma Group Acquires Large Competitor

ProPharma Group has announced the acquisition of Washington D.C.-based The Weinberg Group, which also provides regulatory and compliance services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries. “This acquisition further solidifies ProPharma Group’s position as a leading, globally integrated pharmaceutical… more

UMKC Conservatory Landing on Main Campus

The University of Missouri-Kansas City announced this afternoon that the new home for its performing arts programs will be built on the university’s main campus near the Country Club Plaza. The new Conservatory of Music and Dance and Department of… more

UMKC, Bloch Foundations Roll Out $20 Million Scholarship Program

Since his arrival on the UMKC campus last summer, Chancellor Mauli Agrawal has talked about the need for the university to increase both its enrollment and the numbers of graduates entering the regional work force. Today, UMKC backed up that… more

Bank of Blue Valley Merging into Morrill & Janes

The parent companies of two prominent Johnson County banks, Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Co. and Bank of Blue Valley, have reached a merger agreement that will allow M&J parent Heartland Financial USA to acquire Bank of Blue Valley.… more