Government

Kauffman targets $250K grant toward vacant storefront revitalization as World Cup looms

By Tommy Felts / August 7, 2025

Funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is expected to help Kansas City prepare for an influx of visitors cheering on competitors at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — activating vacant storefronts in key areas with retail, artist, and community-focused pop-ups, city leaders said this week. The KCMO-centered initiative — first announced in June and patterned…

Read More >

Entrepreneurs say DoorDash accelerator delivered, prepping their small businesses for tall orders ahead 

By Tommy Felts / July 31, 2025

Ten graduates of DoorDash’s 12-week Midwest accelerator gathered Wednesday to celebrate successes from the program, along with lessons they say will last longer than the $5,000 grants each entrepreneur received. “Running a small business is tough work, and it meant so much to receive support from DoorDash and my home of Kansas City,” said Tanyech…

Read More >

KCK party store’s sales plummet because of ICE fears; It’s not the only business slowed by the crackdown

By Tommy Felts / July 30, 2025

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has many recent immigrants terrified, hunkering down and holding onto their money; That new fear and…

Read More >

‘Stablecoin summer’: Crypto community greets GENIUS Act with optimism, caution

By Tommy Felts / July 25, 2025

Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Missouri Business Alert, a member of the Kansas City Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and The Kansas City Beacon. Click here to read the original story. A new federal cryptocurrency law has sparked a range of reactions across Missouri,…

Read More >

Match this: ‘Ted Lasso’ filming in KC another win for city’s tax credit pitch, mayor says 

By Tommy Felts / July 22, 2025

Scoring state-side shooting locations for the newest season of “Ted Lasso” reflects a strategy by the KC Film Office that’s straight from the hit Apple TV+ series’ playbook: the harder you work, the luckier you get. “‘Ted Lasso’ filming in Kansas City represents everything we’ve been working toward,” said Rachel Kephart, director of the KC…

Read More >