Leave KC better than you found it: How matching growth to city’s needs is paying off

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a four-part series exploring the verticals and impact of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC.

• Wrong tool can wreck a neighborhood; Precision development key to avoiding gentrification’s negative impacts
• Homegrown startups can redefine KC; they just need help surviving long enough to do it
• Feel good, but get off the bench: KC’s next big wins require all players join EDCKC in the field

A focused effort to raise Kansas City, Missouri’s average wage — now topping $76,000 — marks a major milestone that Steven Anthony sees as just the beginning of a more intentional and inclusive economic strategy for the region.

“Now that’s a wage that people can actually take care of their families with, a family of three or four, and even have a little extra to take their kids to Worlds of Fun every so often,” said Anthony, outgoing vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC).

Through agency, Anthony and his team have led the charge to attract new businesses, support existing companies as they grow, and foster entrepreneurship — all while ensuring that Kansas City’s economic expansion reflects the needs and diversity of its communities, he said.

“We’re not just trying to grow for growth’s sake,” Anthony said. “Economic development is about building opportunities that strengthen the fabric of our city.”

As he prepares to leave Kansas City for a new position in Miami Beach, he said, that foundational and integrated work continues. (The EDCKC is currently in the process of identifying a successor to carry on the work that Steven helped build to ensure seamless business continuity.)

ICYMI: EDCKC leader to begin new role with City of Miami in May

Steven Anthony, outgoing vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, at EDCKC’s offices in River Market; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Business attraction, real estate, entrepreneurship, and tourism

Anthony describes EDCKC’s approach as a four-part framework: business development, real estate development, entrepreneurship, and tourism. Each area plays a role in sustaining Kansas City’s economy while setting the stage for future growth.

While EDCKC is often associated with tax incentives, Anthony said, he stressed that the organization’s role goes far beyond financial tools.

“My business development team helps people navigate the city,” he explained. “It’s not just about incentives. We help companies navigate city hall, community engagement, permitting, zoning — we’re a one-stop shop.”

A central value throughout all their work, Anthony said, is intentionality, especially when evaluating what kinds of businesses are welcomed into Kansas City.

“It’s about making sure the companies that want to be here are thinking about all the things that are important to our community,” he said. “If you’re going to utilize city resources or be a part of our community in general, you’ve got to be thinking about inclusion and about what our community needs.”

Tracey Lewis, EDCKC, center, speaks about the anticipated regional impact of the coming FIFA World Cup 2026 events in Kansas, alongside Dr. Lomax Campbell, Third Eye Network, and Steven Anthony, EDCKC, during a Small Business Task Force roundtable gathering at CPKC Stadium; photo courtesy of EDCKC

Transforming neighborhoods through investment, opportunity

Alongside raising wages, EDCKC’s work is focused on helping underinvested neighborhoods benefit from Kansas City’s growth.

“There have been areas of the city where there was nothing there,” Anthony said. “Now you have businesses like Niagara Bottling up north and KC Pallets on the east side, manufacturing firms employing folks from within the community. That’s how you transform neighborhoods — not just changing the infrastructure, but changing the lives of the people who live there.”

Anthony emphasized that EDCKC prioritizes deals that align with these community-driven goals, even if it means turning away flashy projects that don’t fit.

“I’ve shied away from businesses that said, ‘Hey, we’ll bring 500 jobs,’ but they only paid $50,000 a year,” he said. “I’ve said ‘no’ to projects because it just doesn’t fit where we need to take the community going forward.”

Steven Anthony, outgoing vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, at EDCKC’s offices in River Market; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

Building on strengths, growing new industries

Kansas City’s diversified economy, built on strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, gives EDCKC a sturdy platform to grow from, Anthony said. His team’s strategy leverages these traditional industries while also planting seeds in emerging sectors like technology.

“We identify companies by asking, where do we already have an advantage?” Anthony said. “We’ve been really good in healthcare with Cerner being here for so many years. Manufacturing is another one, we’ve got Ford, GM, all the big manufacturers. Everybody knows somebody who works there.”

“But we’re also planting seeds,” he added. “Technology is an area we want to continue to grow in. LaunchKC, for instance, is finding and fostering the next generation of homegrown tech companies — the next DST or the next Cerner.”

While no one can predict exactly who Kansas City’s next breakout success will be, Anthony is optimistic about the startups rising through the ranks.

“There’s no telling who could potentially be that next something,” he said. “Some of the companies that have come through LaunchKC have high potential opportunities. Any of them could be the next big company.”

RELATED: LaunchKC unveils 7 newest grant winners, topping $385K in startup capital

Community voices matter

For Kansas City to achieve its full potential, Anthony said, residents must stay informed, involved, and vocal about what’s happening in their neighborhoods.

“Community members are extremely important,” he said. “We need your feedback. I always tell our business development officers: relationships are crucial. We set them up by territory because they need to know what’s happening in their part of town.”

Anthony stressed that economic development is personal — directly affecting people’s everyday lives in ways that go beyond headlines and ribbon cuttings.

“Economic development is the stuff that affects people’s everyday lives,” he said. “It’s not just the big national stuff you see on TV. It’s whether you have a good job, whether there’s a business around the corner, whether your kid can get a summer internship. That’s why the community’s voice matters so much.”

Click here to learn more about EDCKC and how it can help.