News & Updates
Stay in-the-know with KC Rising
Read up on the latest news and updates from KC Rising. Explore a wide range of topics including Economic Recovery, Small Business Support, Talent Development and more.
News & Updates
Stay in-the-know with KC Rising
Read up on the latest news and updates from KC Rising. Explore a wide range of topics including Economic Recovery, Small Business Support, Talent Development and more.
Growing Access to Capital
One of the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic is the KC Chamber’s Access to Capital initiative. Though improvements were made in the second round of funding, the first round of Paycheck Protection Program funding starkly illustrated the difficulties minority-owned...
Innovation Fest: Celebrating Breakthroughs in Science!
Are you a fan of innovation, science, and technology? Are you looking for an opportunity to immerse yourself in the region's ecosystem and network with top innovators and scientists? Then, don't miss the 2023 Innovation Fest! The festival is a three-day conference...
Hearts Celebrate Art: 2023 Parade of Hearts
Parade of Hearts in Kansas City is a public art experience that celebrates art, culture and diversity by uniting communities while supporting nonprofits. The event features beautifully designed hearts by local artists placed throughout the Kansas City region. The...
Education Resources Pave Way to Inclusive Prosperity
Over 5,310 scholars in the KC Scholars program said they would not have attended college if they did not receive a scholarship. This access to resources and funding for education is vital to Kansas City’s inclusive prosperity because it leads to higher employment...
Project LEAD to Move the Needle on Systemic Racism in the Workplace
“What can the business community do?”
That was the question the KC Chamber Board of Directors asked in response to the calls for social justice stemming from the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Board’s African American members met and determined five areas of focus: education, employment, access to capital, law enforcement reform, and professional development. Subcommittees were formed for Board members to work on each of those issues.
Project LEAD to Move the Needle on Systemic Racism in the Workplace #2
“What can the business community do?”
That was the question the KC Chamber Board of Directors asked in response to the calls for social justice stemming from the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Board’s African American members met and determined five areas of focus: education, employment, access to capital, law enforcement reform, and professional development. Subcommittees were formed for Board members to work on each of those issues.
Connectivity and Digital Equity Report
Access to the internet has become a fundamental asset that all Kansas City area households require in achieving economic prosperity. A recent study by KC Rising highlighted the increased importance for all households to have a reliable, affordable connection and computer devices for access to education, employment and health. The COVID-19 pandemic made this need more urgent, with over 100,000 area households currently without broadband subscriptions and computer devices to enable these meaningful uses. While many neighborhoods and communities show high numbers of households with internet subscriptions and devices, many urban core neighborhoods, small outlying communities, and rural areas lack such access.
Kansas City’s Future Global Biologics Hub to be Built on a Foundation of Cooperation
“No one is in charge of entrepreneurship.” – this quote, attributed to Professor Scott Stern in a May 16th blog, became the motto for faculty facilitating the MIT REAP Cohort 9. With no single party in charge, the government, existing corporations, entrepreneurs, venture capital and universities have a vital role. They cooperated, supported each other, and were willing to let everyone (and no one) be in charge.
Kansas City To Create Global Biologics Hub As Part Of Acceptance To Prestigious MIT Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
(Kansas City, MO – May 16, 2022) – Building on prior life science success in human and animal health, Kansas City is creating the most inclusive biologics hub for the development, production and distribution of biologics as part of its acceptance to the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program (MIT REAP). Kansas City was selected as part of the Heartland Civic Collaborative, working with Des Moines, Omaha, and St. Louis to be a global life science destination.
Together we are Making a Shared Vision Reality
Led by the Downtown Council (DTC), business, civic, and neighborhood leaders joined together over the last two years to imagine the future of greater Downtown Kansas City. With the guidance of the steering committee chair, Warren Erdman, Kansas City Southern, the planning process attracted both long-time stakeholders and emerging voices across greater Downtown to work together.