Government

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas; file photo, courtesy of Sharice Davids' office

Women bore the brunt of pandemic; now it’s time to reinvest in their businesses, Rep. Davids says

By Tommy Felts / June 17, 2021

A strong recovery from the COVID-19 crisis — which destroyed the businesses of many women, and particularly women of color — requires a deliberate investment in initiatives that drive and support female entrepreneurship, said Sharice Davids. [pullquote] Rep. Davids’ opening remarks on pandemic’s damage “Women are at the center of the American economy. They make…

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KCMO mask order ends noon Friday; Mayor says CDC update makes rules impossible for businesses to follow

By Tommy Felts / May 14, 2021

Just hours after the CDC issued new guidelines Thursday saying fully vaccinated Americans can stop wearing masks indoors and outdoors, Kansas City’s mayor announced an end to remaining KCMO mask rules — effective noon Friday — saying he won’t force businesses to face continued harassment for enforcing restrictions amid conflicting, unclear guidance. “The challenge for…

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Topeka approves $5.9M for innovation campus, locking in key funding for animal health, ag hub

By Tommy Felts / May 14, 2021

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. This series is possible thanks to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which leads a collaborative, nationwide effort to identify and remove large and small barriers to new business creation. [divide]…

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A high-tech funder planted seeds in 135+ Missouri startups; three bloomed into $1B+ unicorns in the past six months

By Tommy Felts / May 13, 2021

When news broke this week that St. Louis-based plant tech firm Benson Hill reached a $2 billion valuation, it marked the third “unicorn” minted among MTC-funded companies in the past six months, said Jack Scatizzi. “Early-stage investing takes patience and the results can’t be rushed,” said Scatizzi, executive director of the Missouri Technology Corporation, noting…

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Missouri Chamber

Missouri House advances pro-entrepreneur bill that would lower taxes on self-starters

By Tommy Felts / May 4, 2021

A vision to make Missouri more entrepreneur-friendly moved closer to reality Monday as state legislators passed a first-in-the-nation Right To Start Act, advancing the bill to the Senate on an 85-69 vote. “We made progress today to make Missouri a state that welcomes risk takers, the crazy ones, who want to build the next generation…

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