Jackson County

GM Pumping $174 Million into Fairfax Plant

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, was in Kansas City this morning to announce the carmaker's plans for investing $174 million in its Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kan. It was a 2-for-1 ceremony, as GM also popped the cork… more

Six Questions Every Business Owner Must Answer

As long as businesses are managed and owned by humans, business succession will happen. Will it happen in an orderly fashion, according to a thoughtful plan based on the owner’s wishes? Or will it be sorted out by those who… more

KCU Adding Campus in Joplin

The Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences’ College of Osteopathic Medicine announced today that it had received approval from the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation to develop an additional medical school campus in Joplin, Mo. KCU, the largest medical school in… more

Replacing the Big Dog

In some ways, it is the typical small-business succession story: After a decade of building a start-up with a relative handful of employees into a leader in its field with more than 150 on the payroll, the chief executive is… more

All in the Family

The role of family business in America’s economy may be changing, but the foundation is solid Walmart started as a family business. Still is, if you think about it in terms of stock shares controlled by the Walton family (roughly… more

Wealth Management: Looming End of Tax Year Has Gifting Consequences

These simple guidelines can help maximize the power of your charitable giving in 2013. As we count our blessings this holiday season, it is a natural time to consider supporting favorite charities. And though supporting charity is worthwhile and rewarding… more

Small Business Adviser: Answer the Call to Serve for All the Right Reasons

Board service with non-profit organizations affords a powerful opportunity to put your skill sets to work, and in ways that truly give back to the community. A close friend of mine from Kansas City became a successful business owner early… more

Philanthropy Industry Outlook

On the Front Lines in a Regional Battle Against Need A score of Kansas City area leaders in the philanthropic community braved a bitterly cold December morning to attend a spirited assembly on the challenges facing their community. Ingram’s Magazine… more

For Small Business, Nowhere to Hide

Large companies won a one-year reprieve from the employer mandate under health-care reforms. Smaller companies face different issues, but those aren’t waiting until 2015 to make their mark. Here’s what Melissa Dziurawiec gets when she does the math: The chief… more

Of Counsel: Obamacare’s Broken Hip: A Balm for Employers?

With all the delays and hiccups in ACA’s rollout, take stock of where you stand. My late father used to tell me with sad prescience that at a certain age, one’s health can seem to fail in a temporally compact… more