Latest Stories
Meta’s billion-dollar KC data center just came online; here’s what the region expects it to generate
As Meta officially flipped the switch this week on its Kansas City Data Center — making the $1 billion project part of the company’s global infrastructure — the move positions the metro as a hub for cutting-edge tech, said Quinton Lucas. “Meta’s investment in Kansas City is a clear signal that our city is a…
Bean around the block: How this Westport coffee shop is cherry picking roasts from its own farm in the Andes
A hemisphere away from Brett Janssen’s former job at General Motors in Kansas City’s Northland, the now-budding Westport coffee shop owner found a fresh batch of opportunities: his wife, business partner and a transcontinental farm-to-cup Columbian coffee operation. Janssen’s House Coffee — the fruit of Janssen and his fiancée Genisis Mejia’s passion for coffee —…
Attic with global ambitions: Luxury brand builds from humble origins to Material Opulence
Renauld Shelton II sees power stitched into the seams of fashion, the Kansas City designer said, detailing the dynamic pairing of apparel and pride that grounds his luxury clothing brand. “It’s a confidence builder. When you look good, you feel good,” said Shelton, founder and CEO of Material Opulence. “It sets you up for success.”…
Startup Crawl returns Sept. 19, marking Startland’s 10-year anniversary with KC innovation focus
Kansas City’s largest startup open house is back this fall — celebrating a decade of innovation alongside emerging builders and newsmakers. Set for Sept.19 and organized by Startland News, Startup Crawl will mark the newsroom’s 10-year anniversary with a high-energy showcase of the city’s entrepreneurial community. The event, presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation,…
How reactivating history can drive economic growth more sustainably than a new build
Editor’s note: The following is part of an ongoing feature series exploring impacts of initiatives within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City through a paid partnership with EDCKC. Hotel owners wanted charm that can’t be built in today’s economy; Kansas City history booked them the bones to do it A one-of-a-kind, limestone-clad building at 906…
Meet 20 entrepreneurs primed to scale their ventures through KC program’s 15th cohort
Transformational opportunities await growth-minded entrepreneurs from across Kansas City’s wide range of industries, said Jill Hathaway, noting business leaders from sports tech to roofing, brewing to nutrition counseling, can scale with the right coaching, perspective and connections. ScaleUP! Kansas City on Monday announced its 15th cohort of 20 local companies looking to create new jobs,…
Plaza food hall returns with Lula’s, Guy’s, J. Rieger and more KC foodie favorites inside
A hotel food hall — just up the hill from a main artery of the Country Club Plaza — is planning a restaurant rally this week; reopening its shared culinary experience with some of the Kansas City food scene’s biggest local brands and a food hall rarity: full-service. Under new management, a new name, and…
Fit Truk shifts gears, building mass by scaling custom-built mobile gyms across US
Fit Truk has traded its hometown workout circuit for a manufacturing floor and an international sales map. The Kansas City-born company is now producing custom-built mobile gyms for clients across the country and abroad. “We have three different models of trucks,” said Josh Guffey, co-founder of Fit Truk. “We have trucks going out all over…
Down to vibes: Fans of fellow their musicians form Kansas City dream pop group Silvee
Kansas City’s lineup of creative talent plays best when musicians can plug into bands where they’re needed most, said Sky Cowdry, describing an inclusive local music scene built on shared resources, and sounds. Silvee — a singer-songwriter-driven dream pop group infused with rock and roll (and set to perform at Tuesday’s Small Biz to Watch…
‘Economic eviction notice’: Property owners decry tax spike as ‘death sentence for small business’
Critic of tax office says Jackson County is betting most property owners hit with inflated bills are too intimidated to appeal State lawmakers could be Jackson County business owners’ last hope, said Ian Davis, testifying Wednesday in the Missouri state capitol about spiking property tax assessments that have seen entrepreneurs hit with increases of up…
