Austin Barnes
Recent Articles by Austin Barnes
A massive influx of visitors are expected next year when more than 600,000 fans descend on Kansas City for its piece of the FIFA World Cup 2026 prize, but potential roadblocks lie ahead for small business owners who are waiting for the action instead of preparing now to capitalize on it, said local leaders. “This…
Read MoreWith World Cup visitors already eyeing plane tickets to Kansas City for matches opening in June 2026, clarity around what constitutes “Kansas City” will be key, said Quinton Lucas, who in late 2024 made moves to restrict labeling the city’s name on certain projects. The effort aims to authentically represent KCMO on the world’s stage,…
Read MoreIt’s more than just a parking garage, said Pat Jordan, revealing a plan to develop a state-of-the-art, transit-oriented parking facility in the heart of the historic 18th & Vine District is about opening a gateway to the entertainment and cultural hub. “Limited parking has historically been a barrier for visitors, especially during peak hours and…
Read MoreEditor’s note: The perspectives expressed in this commentary are the author’s alone. Gib Kerr is the chair of the Downtown Council of Kansas City, Missouri, managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, and an author. This piece was first published by the Downtown Council. [divide] Where should the Royals play baseball? Last year, the debate was…
Read MoreA Kansas City company’s latest funding round will help the startup manage critical infrastructure provided by utilities and municipalities — driving its growth within the electric utility market and accelerating international expansion into utilities in the United Kingdom and European Union. Daupler on Thursday announced an oversubscribed $15 million Series B round led by Aqualateral,…
Read MoreLocal favorite Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is expanding in Johnson County — taking a coveted corner spot in the Shoppes at Deer Creek Woods in sprawling Overland Park. A May opening is scheduled at 6936 W. 135th. St. It will be the sixth Betty Rae’s for the metro. (Hen House Market is an anchor tenant in…
Read MoreKansas City designer Lauren Allen is serving up something fresh — both in style and in message. Her latest T-shirt for the Ivanhoe Farmers Market delivers a bold statement: “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion are always in season.” Designed with vibrant vegetable illustrations, the shirt celebrates DEI while supporting a vital community resource — and its…
Read MoreKansas City’s frozen yogurt game is getting a major upgrade as Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt and Chocolate prepares to open three new locations in Zona Rosa, Olathe, and Lenexa this year. “I didn’t work this hard just to stop here,” said founder Isaac Lee Collins, who previously operated the venture as a handful of…
Read MoreParade of Hearts scores new sculpture design as campaign looks down the pitch to World Cup potential A newly revealed sculpture design for the 2026 Parade of Hearts campaign is more than just the fiberglass from which it takes shape, Carmen Zuniga told a crowd gathered for a sneak peek at the prototype for the…
Read MoreURL to IRL insights: KC analytics startup downloads $1.2M pre-seed round powered by coalition of VCs
The region’s investment community is rallying around an Overland Park tech startup that unlocks insights from videos online and beyond — and its trio of Kansas City founders is grateful to see local talent earning capital that more easily flows to coastal innovators. A $1.2 million pre-seed for dScribe AI is expected to fuel growth…
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