Renderings: World Cup innovation-networking hub, FIFA fan fest plans unveiled by KC organizers

By Tommy Felts | October 30, 2025

Short-term fun, long-term gains. It’s a win-win for Kansas City, local leaders said Thursday, announcing new high-profile concepts set to take the pitch alongside the summer 2026 FIFA World Cup — games that could redefine the region in front of a global audience. “The KC region has an incredible opportunity to showcase our market’s business environment,…

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Big win for UMKC: Unlocking top tier research status gives KC new competitive edge

By Tommy Felts | February 14, 2025

A new milestone for the University of Missouri-Kansas City — achieving status as Kansas City’s first Carnegie R1 research institution — is expected to help boost the region’s ability to start, grow and scale more startups, leaders said this week, emphasizing the role university-led research plays in innovation across industries and communities. “It’s absolutely massive…

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Google makes new $120K pledge to KC schools; region embraces a future built on flexibility 

By Tommy Felts | November 14, 2024

In an era of artificial intelligence and high-tech solutions, the children of Kansas City remain a vital piece of the region’s future economic sustainability, said Utaukwa Allen, announcing a new financial pledge from Google that targets local students. Kansas City Public Schools have been selected for a $120,000 partnership with Google to strengthen KCPS’ STEM…

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Scoring Google’s $1B data center feels like Super Bowl overtime as KC keeps notching wins, officials say

By Tommy Felts | March 20, 2024

Kansas City is hitting it out of the ballpark, said Mike Parson, returning from the governor’s office to the region Wednesday for yet another major economic development announcement — this time, a billion-dollar Google data center coming in 2025. “Maybe I should say, ‘You’re hitting it out of the ballpark and scoring touchdowns,” Parson, R-Missouri, told…

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