Economic Development

A survey that will remain open through Dec. 18 seeks public input on the 2027-2032 strategic plan for the sales tax.

More than a dozen Historic Northeast neighbors and community members took Mayor Quinton Lucas on a walk along the length of Independence Avenue to highlight the area’s best qualities — and point out the problems in need of city solutions.

A key part of Kansas City’s financing for a new downtown ballpark relies on evidence of blight in one of the city’s top tourist areas. Critics of the tax incentive say the deal ignores blight in underserved neighborhoods and saps future city funds that could be used to address it.

The yearslong effort to build a 5.5-acre park to cap a portion of the south loop stalled because of a lack of funding. The first phase of construction will begin this winter, which will mean years of road closures for drivers.

Kansas City staff used a graphic of a rack of ribs to show how increased tax revenues from a "stadium impact area" could help pay Kansas City's share of construction costs. Economics and public policy experts say it's flawed logic: "These are magic ribs."

One part of City Council's financing plan authorizes $615 million in bonds to fund the future stadium in Crown Center. Another creates a "stadium impact area," where certain future tax revenue increases will be redirected to pay off the debt.

The Truman Sports Complex Redevelopment Task Force, a group convened by County Executive Phil LeVota to imagine a future for the area after the teams leave, released a report with many reuse ideas. The path to accomplish them is more tricky.

Those involved in the World Cup's KC2026 effort and economic development leaders say Kansas City can build a brand around its expertise in sports architecture and increasing its profile in sports media, tech, health and youth sports.

The Linwood location was the first Costco in metro Kansas City and quickly became a retail hub. It generated millions in tax revenue for nearby housing. Now, the company is converting the store into one of its Costco Business Centers, focused on restaurant, small shop and office supplies, to open next spring.

Kansas City's plan to pay back the $600 million it will borrow for or spend on the Royals stadium at Crown Center relies on tax revenue that wouldn’t exist without the new ballpark.

Data centers that power AI are exploding across the Midwest — and so is opposition to them. Now, people across the political spectrum want to see stricter regulation and more transparency.

Big tech companies are facing formidable opposition from a coalition of people across the political spectrum. Meanwhile, local elected officials find themselves scrambling to draft regulations and defend themselves against accusations of secrecy.