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
Best-in-show FitBark pet tech now groomed for 2019 launch on FitBit
Kansas City-bred FitBark is set to unleash a new partnership with industry-leading fitness wearable FitBit in early 2019, the company announced Monday. “For many of us, happiness is about helping others achieve their goals,” said Davide Rossi, CEO and co-founder of FitBark. “We may not have the motivation to get in the gym every day,…
Woof’s dog spa wagging into new markets with startup mindset, owner says
It’s a classic startup tail: Disillusionment with corporate life sends a would-be founder fetching for fresh ideas and more innovative inspiration. Woof’s Play & Stay provided Andy Wiltz the opportunity to scratch that itch, the dog spa owner said. Purchasing the plateauing brand in 2015, Wiltz turned his original Merriam location into a model for…
Destiny Wealth moving HQ to KC; former football player owes debt of inspiration to mother
Grit and the gridiron might have helped shape Parker Graham’s business acumen, but it’s the influence of his coach in the game of life who inspired Destiny Wealth — his fintech startup that soon will move to Kansas City. “My Mom stretched herself so thin and sometimes it was hard to put food on the…
LaunchKC pivoting from annual grants contest to supporting industry verticals, accelerators
LaunchKC is expected to focus on specific business verticals in 2019 — an effort to bring companies to Kansas City that can fill industry gaps, said Jim Malle. A revamped version of the annual grants competition eventually would grow those verticals into individual accelerator programs, said Malle, business development officer at the Economic Development Corporation…