KC BizCare receives $20K grant to promote economic mobility ahead of 2026 World Cup
June 13, 2025 | Startland News Staff
A sixth-month initiative to rapidly boost small businesses and entrepreneurs in Kansas City is expected to help KCMO leaders drive readiness for the massive influx of FIFA World Cup visitors in summer 2026.
The National League of Cities (NLC) this week awarded Kansas City a $20,000 grant and expert guidance to promote economic mobility in the city ahead of the unprecedented, 40-day sports event that is expected to bring 650,000 professional soccer fans to the region.
Mayor Quinton Lucas speaks in April during the Downtown Council’s annual luncheon at the Kansas City Convention Center; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“As Kansas City prepares to welcome the world for FIFA World Cup 2026, we’re committed to ensuring that every corner and zip code in our community benefits from this historic moment,” said Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
Industries targeted for impact through the program include outdoor dining, liquor licensing, short-term rentals, and restaurants.
Kansas City is one of 12 municipalities from across the country competitively selected to participate in the NLC’s grant initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation.
“The Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant to KC BizCare will help level the playing field for small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing essential business readiness training,” Lucas said. “When the world’s eyes are on Kansas City, we want them to see a city where opportunity is truly accessible to all.”
Editor’s note: KC BizCare is a partner of Startland News’ nonprofit newsroom.
RELATED: KCMO sets aside $1.4M to get small biz, artists in the front door before World Cup arrives
Regional leaders discuss Kansas City preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside host city supporters from Populous and Purina during an update event June 11 at Union Station in Kansas City; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
The NLC program is expected to help fund the promotion of regulatory processes — as well as to expand, test, and implement economic mobility measures — that could impact small businesses and entrepreneurs during the runup to the World Cup, as well as during the games (set for June and July 2026) at Arrowhead Stadium.
KCMO Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw speaks to small business owners during an April town hall event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Participation in the program also has the potential to leverage additional funding for Kansas City to promote economic mobility efforts, according to the KC BizCare Office.
In the past two years, NLC worked with 20 other municipalities, providing more than $350,000 in awards, coaching, and peer-learning opportunities. A team from Kansas City is expected to join representatives from the 23 other municipalities from the current and previous cohorts in a joint economic mobility conference in October.
“I suggested staff to pursue this opportunity because economic mobility must be a reality for every Kansas Citian,” said Ryana Parks-Shaw, who serves as mayor pro tem for KCMO. “This grant allows us to remove barriers for small businesses and entrepreneurs in a pivotal moment for our city. As we prepare for the global spotlight of World Cup 2026, we’re making strategic investments that will position our communities to grow and thrive well beyond the tournament.”
Click here to learn more about city-led efforts to prepare Kansas City entrepreneurs for the coming FIFA World Cup.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
PHKC planning to open its retail incubator in mid-May; here’s a first look inside the east side space
A new space for entrepreneurs to test-run their retail businesses is envisioned as a 12- to 16-month stepping stone to their own permanent storefronts or locations, said Dan Smith, and the resource could be open as soon as this spring. “We’re preparing entrepreneurs to open their own brick and mortars on the east side,” said…
Chingu founders, Mean Mule partner for KC’s first soju — a Korean nod to vodka, distilled with culture
Serial foodpreneurs Keeyoung Kim and David Son are launching the Midwest’s first locally distilled premium soju — a pays homage to the traditions of soju, but embraces a new era of cocktail culture. Through a partnership with Mean Mule Distilling Co., the first release of Chingu Soju will be just 15-20 cases of the product. …
WeCode KC, high school partner to launch cybersecurity program for students
A new program from an expanding Kansas City nonprofit plans to expose high school students to job readiness and life skills that prepare them for careers in cybersecurity, right out of high school. WeCode KC, which promotes tech education and creating sustainable career pathways, recently announced a partnership with KIPP Legacy High School to introduce…
WeWork closing Corrigan Station, once a core hub for Kansas City’s startup community
Coworking giant WeWork on Thursday confirmed the planned closure of its Corrigan Station location in Kansas City — a space once closely intertwined with the local startup scene and its flourishing culture of innovation. “As part of WeWork’s strategic restructuring efforts, we have made the difficult decision to end our operations at Corrigan Station,” a…