KC programs become semifinalists in Harvard innovation contest
January 19, 2017 | Bobby Burch
Harvard University has recognized two Kansas City initiatives as semifinalists in the school’s Innovations in American Government Awards competition.
Led by the City of Kansas City, Mo., the Community Improvement District Revolving Loan Fund and Women’s Empowerment initiative both are among 100 programs vying for a shot to become finalists and the $100,000 grand prize.
“These programs demonstrate that there are no prerequisites for doing the good work of governing,” Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in American Government Program at the Ash Center, said in a release. “Small towns and massive cities, huge federal agencies and local school districts, large budgets or no budgets at all — what makes government work best is the drive to do better, and this group proves that drive can be found anywhere.”
The two programs beat out more than 500 other applicants from 50 states as examples of “effective actions whose work has had significant impact,” and can be replicated around the world, the city said in a release.
The Women’s Empowerment program is a collaboration between the Mayor Sly James’ office, Central Exchange, the Women’s Foundation and the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Women’s Center. It aims to ensure that Kansas City is an inclusive, diverse and supportive of women-owned businesses and female entrepreneurs.
About half of Kansas City’s Zip+4 zones were considered economically distressed in 2011 when the city began its CID fund, the city said. The fund partners with a neighborhood to provide resources and support to make changes that change its landscape for the better. Instead of relying on third parties to make neighborhood improvements, the CID fund provides citizens with essential resources, while focusing on opportunities leaders can identify and solve. As part of the effort, the city created tools to assist organizations in the formation of their CIDs and managing expenses throughout their work.
The competition expects to announce 10 programs as finalists in March, with the grand prize winners to be named in June.
Featured Business
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
‘We’re a big damn deal!’ KC is an underground fintech hub, says Zach Pettet
Editor’s note: Zach Pettet is the Fintech Strategist at nbkc bank, with which Startland News has partnered on an upcoming Innovation Exchange event. Opinions expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Kansas City is the United States’ underground financial center. Over the years, many financial juggernauts have been born and grown up in Kansas…
Traditional marketing tactics fail to wow consumers, Boomn startup says
If an idea doesn’t prompt a “Heck yeah!” response from the team at Boomn, it gets an “Um, no” verdict, said Ryan O’Connell. A data-driven and performance-based digital marketing company, KC-based Boomn works primarily with ecommerce brands. Such clients range from food and beverage companies to TV and YouTube personalities, said O’Connell, Boomn’s chief operating…
Video: ‘Have you eaten?’ KC Pinoy adds food math to flavorful Filipino fare
Editor’s note: The following content about Chrissy Nucum’s KC Pinoy is sponsored by Mid-Continent Public Library but independently produced by Startland News. KC Pinoy food truck’s last customer of the day was aptly named: Lucky. “We’ve had a good enough day to break a hundred [dollar bill],” owner Chrissy Nucum told the diner at the…
Blue Hills incubator merging with mission-based urban core developer
A catalyst for change within the neighborhoods surrounding Prospect Avenue, the Blue Hills incubator is expected to continue serving entrepreneurs after merging with a leading development group in the urban core. The not-for-profit formed by combining the expertise of Blue Hills Community Services and Swope Community Builders aims to reclaim areas of Kansas City by…