News

USDA moving two key agencies to KC, expected to bring 568 new jobs to the animal health corridor

By Tommy Felts / June 13, 2019

Corporate and government leaders agree: Kansas City is positioned at the hub of innovation in the animal health space, they said Thursday, announcing the metro has been chosen as the new home of two federal agencies. “Kansas City is a city with a small town feel, which makes it a great place to build a…

Local Legends unplugs Westport eSports gaming center; founder vows his vision won’t be reduced by May shooting

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2019

The doors at 3933 Main St. are locked tight, but the startup journey once housed inside them is far from over, teased AbdulRasheed Yahaya. “Local Legends isn’t going anywhere … unless we’re talking about the video game truck. That’s going everywhere,” said Yahaya, owner of Local Legends Gaming — an eSports and gaming business that…

Missouri governor signs bill to end KC ‘border war,’ awaits Kansas response

By Tommy Felts / June 12, 2019

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill Tuesday placing restrictions on tax incentives offered to businesses moving from certain counties in Kansas to Missouri. The bill represents a step toward ending the economic development “border war” between the two states. “This is really about being competitive with real competitors,” said Parson, who was in Kansas…

Wave’s $405M acquisition a move toward ‘bigger, bolder, faster’ H&R Block, CEO says

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2019

The $405 million acquisition of Wave Financial wasn’t about H&R Block’s image — it was a move to join like-minded companies in the trenches of innovation, no matter the weight either surging business holds, said Jeff Jones. “We knew strategically that industry makes Wave a fit with H&R Block, and then it was a matter…

Into the weeds: Your corner CBD store might’ve just lost its bank thanks to a slow-to-innovate industry

By Tommy Felts / June 11, 2019

Banking as a mom-and-pop CBD shop can be treacherous, said Kyle Steppe. “Our first week in business, our bank shut us down and liquidated all of our assets,” said Steppe, who operates KC Hemp Co. with his wife, Heather. Their downtown Overland Park storefront is one of many independent, regional CBD sites suffering from the…