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
Photos: Folklore transformed this rooftop for one-night; its $100K impact on small biz lasts even longer
A packed rooftop event that started five years ago as a small gathering among friends has grown into a sold-out celebration that not only highlights music, food, and tradition, but also invests back into local nonprofits and entrepreneurs, said Luis Padilla, founder of Folklore and its popular small business grant program. “That balance of culture…
Fresh in the tin: Crossroads cafe targets TikTok generation for laid-back canned seafood cuisine
A new venue specializing in “sangria, tins and snacks” pairs viral tastes with inspiration from a classic culinary voice, said longtime Kansas City restaurateur Shawn McClenny, whose Crossroads “taverna” is expected to open by mid-November. “It will be more of a Spanish cafe, very informal, no reservations,” said McClenny, describing the future Lilico’s Taverna slated…
Lula bets on responsible growth to hit profitability; why the startup’s most valuable property is room to scale
Lula opened 2025 by announcing a hefty funding round; the momentum has only continued to build, founder Bo Lais shared. On top of its $28 million Series A round in early February, the Kansas City-based proptech startup expanded to more than 50 markets nationwide and had eight straight months of record gross merchandise value and…
World Cup hosts launch KC Game Plan for entrepreneurs; heat map, cultural insights on global visitors warming up next
Kansas City boasts no better roster of ambassadors than the region’s small business owners, said Tracy Whelpley, announcing a new KC2026 “Game Plan” for entrepreneurs who are eager to put cleats to streets ahead of the incoming FIFA World Cup. “There’s so many entrepreneurial people out there and they really represent what our community is…