Tommy Felts

Variety KC announced the funding as part of its Ten Parks Project, a partnership with the Mallouk Family Foundation and city leaders to establish parks around Kansas City that are accessible to all children.

Kansas City, Missouri, continues to sit at No. 11 in the latest ranking of best startup cities in the Midwest, a place it's held since 2022. Columbia, Missouri, jumped five spots to No. 17. Wichita, Springfield, Manhattan and Topeka all landed in the top 50.

On top of organizing a Union Station marketplace that drew more than 120,000 visitors, City of Entrepreneurs’ Open Doors! program led to unexpected collaboration opportunities between cohort members.

Those big orange cans at FIFA Fan Festival? A Kansas City nonprofit put them there to help deal with organic waste from the massive sporting event.

Made Mobb released more than a dozen World Cup-inspired jerseys — with a blue-and-white Argentina-style kit sparking special attention from local fans. The jerseys can be purchased online, at their Crossroads store and Union Station popup.

More than 100 businesses, artists, makers, food vendors, and community organizations are taking part in Kansas City's "City of Entrepreneurs" marketplace at Union Station, which runs select days through July 12.

Visitors can explore a range of foods from around the globe when they visit the free FIFA Fan Festival on the grounds of the National WWI Museum and Memorial — but Kansas City food takes center stage.

The Czech-inspired taproom from Alma Mader will showcase hyper-fresh beers and a greenhouse-style space with expanded non-beer offerings. The vision for a dedicated chicken-and-beer concept grew out of pop-ups between the brewery and chef Keeyoung Kim of Sura Eats and Chingu.

Mass Street Plant Company is set for a soft opening May 2 in the Lawrence space that formerly belonged to plant shop Jungle House. The original Kansas City location opened in 2022.

Businesses and brand sponsors can apply now to take part in the activation, a short walk from where the FIFA Fan Festival is planned. “The marketplace will transform Union Station into a high-energy retail and cultural destination," organizers said.