Regional


De Soto $4B Panasonic Plant Officially Begins Mass Production

Posted July 14, 2025 The $4 billion Panasonic electric-vehicle battery plant in De Soto has officially begun mass production. The Panasonic Group announced that the plant has opened its doors and started its production of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. Panasonic held… more

Walmart Opens $257M Beef Distribution Plant in Olathe

Posted June 30, 2025 Walmart has officially opened its $257 million beef-packing and distribution facility in Olathe. The facility, located at 20200 W. 167th Street, encompasses nearly 331,000 square feet and will be used to package and distribute beef to… more

Arvest Bank KC Market President & CEO Retiring, New Successor Named

Posted June 26, 2025 Arvest Bank’s president of the Kansas City market, Mark Larrabee, has announced his retirement following 16 years with the bank. Larrabee is retiring from his position and will be succeeded by Kelly Carlson, Arvest Bank’s executive… more

BJC Health System CEO Rich Liekweg Announces Retirement, Successor

Posted June 25, 2025 BJC Health System today announced that CEO Rich Liekweg will retire effective October 1, and the health system’s current president, Nick Barto, will succeed him. With a career of over 40 years, Liekweg spent 16 years… more

Populous Adds Fentress Architects to Portfolio of Studios

Posted June 9, 2025 Kansas City architecture and design firm Populous has announced its acquisition of Denver-based Fentress Architects, adding aviation, convention centers, museums and government facilities to its portfolio of projects. The acquisition significantly broadens the scope and scale… more

Chicken N Pickle Brand to Focus on Acquisitions, City Partnerships

Posted June 2, 2025 Chicken N Pickle will shift its focus toward acquiring complementary entertainment and hospitality concepts as part of a new strategy to seek growth in new markets. With 13 locations operating across the country, the restaurant and… more

Q&A With … Mike Orth, CEO of GFT

Posted May 21, 2025 Q: As CEO of GFT, what strategies do you plan to bring to the role, especially with your time at Black & Veatch in both the Kansas City and Phoenix, AZ areas? A: As the new… more

Black & Veatch Seeking Incentives For $1.12B Overland Park HQ Expansion

Posted May 20, 2025 Overland Park-based Black & Veatch has proposed plans to expand its headquarters building at its Overland Park campus as part of a $1.12 billion redevelopment. The project is a mixed-use redevelopment located at the Black &… more

Mahomes Co-Owned KMO Burger Acquires 16 Whataburger Restaurants

Posted May 15, 2025 Fast food franchise Whataburger and KMO Burger, LLC, have announced a joint venture, allowing the latter to own and operate all restaurant locations in the Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri markets. The new partnership will see… more

Grain Belt Express Awards $1.7B in Contracts for 800-mile Transmission Line Across Four States

Posted May 8, 2025 Quanta Services and Kiewit Energy Group have been awarded $1.7 billion in contracts for the Grain Belt Express project, an 800-mile transmission line across Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. The Grain Belt Express is a project… more