News

Let’s eat out: KCMO wants more outdoor dining; new grants program pays for restaurant upgrades 

By Tommy Felts / July 29, 2024

Outdoor dining’s economic impact outlasted the pandemic, said Mayor Quinton Lucas. A new push to boost KCMO businesses — with the backing of city tourism dollars — is expected to help local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars embrace the opportunity, he said. His goal: Make outdoor dining spaces even more attractive to visitors and hometown…

Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC

By Tommy Felts / July 27, 2024

Launching a retail incubator in Midtown Kansas City — a physical space targeted for overlooked and under-resourced entrepreneurs — The Porter House KC faced many of the same challenges as emerging small businesses, said Miranda Schultz, but ultimately the effort made it to opening day. “It’s been nice to go through our own trial and…

Pitch prize puts founders closer to building their utopia; How KCMO is backing entrepreneurs who do the right thing

By Tommy Felts / July 26, 2024

Hearing the personal reasons behind judges’ support for her business at the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition provides much-needed validation for Utopia Point, said Shereese Hameed-Muhammad. The business — launched by Patricia McCreary and Hameed-Muhammad to redesign the geriatric and disabled care community in Kansas City and beyond — was the overwhelming favorite…

Lawmakers announce $500K federal grant for KC BioHub, tout region’s job creation, innovation

By Tommy Felts / July 26, 2024

Kansas City’s “top-notch” research capabilities and talented workforce prove the region is ready to lead the country in innovation, said Sharice Davids, revealing news that the local Tech Hubs initiative would receive another $500,000 in federal funding. The award for the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) comes less than a…

Innovation Festival returns Aug. 16 with focus on human connections in a surging biotech hub

By Tommy Felts / July 25, 2024

While the third iteration of BioKansas’ Innovation Festival might initially seem scaled back, said Dr. Kevin Mills, the summer biosciences conference is amping up its emphasis on what makes Kansas City a great biotech hub. “The idea is really to get people with really diverse viewpoints and diverse jobs and careers together to hear from…