‘Punching above our weight’: KC requests $75M in federal funds as region’s Tech Hubs effort builds even more momentum

Leaders of Kansas City’s Tech Hubs initiative won’t find out until this summer if the regional effort will receive a new round of federal funding, but there’s already plenty to cheer, shared Dennis Ridenour. “We fully expect to be here — or someplace like this — four or five months from now celebrating our region’s…

Read More

Davids’ effort to level the playing field for Native entrepreneurs passes US House, moving to Senate

Legislation meant to address entrepreneurship challenges specific to Native and tribal business owners advanced in the U.S. Congress this week, with a Kansas City lawmaker championing the effort to bring equity to an overlooked corner of the small business community. “In Indian Country, Native-owned businesses employ over 300,000 Americans and are vital drivers of our…

Read More

Honeywell investing $84M in Olathe aviation innovation, adding 150+ jobs, ‘dream careers’ for young workers 

As Kansas works to reframe perceptions of the region around its health innovation and biologics industries, corporate and government officials on Friday announced a win for another innovation-driver and “compelling megatrend” for the Sunflower State: the future of aviation. Honeywell Aerospace Technologies plans to invest $84 million to expand its Olathe manufacturing facility, the company…

Read More

Legislation to support Native American entrepreneurs could boost grants to tribes, Hawaiian natives

A bipartisan effort to strengthen and expand government-backed opportunities for Native American entrepreneurs got a boost this week, with legislation championed by a Kansas lawmaker advancing in the U.S. House. The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act — introduced by U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, and Eli Crane, R-Arizona — moved out of committee Wednesday, according…

Read More