Government Stories

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

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…

K-State awarded $500K state grant to boost border-to-border innovation, entrepreneurship

Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro.  MANHATTAN, Kansas — A newly launched grant program is expected to help Kansas’ six state universities accelerate innovation activities within the world of higher education. At Kansas State University, a…

Stripping Missouri’s supplier diversity goals stifles state’s prosperity potential, says women’s business advocate

Ending nearly a decade of benchmarks that helped ensure greater equity in state contracts for businesses owned by minorities and women is a move in the wrong direction for Missouri, said Jennifer Brungardt, emphasizing the coming impact of lost opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. “Diversity and economic growth will be stifled without proper support from our…

Ice rinks to skee-ball: Phase 1 of this massive sports entertainment complex opening in JoCo after 20 years in the works

Once completed: ‘You’ll come here for a three-day weekend and not see your car until you leave on Sunday’ With its highly-anticipated opening this weekend, a sprawling new sports and recreation complex in south Johnson County is expected to soon spark fights between parents over who gets to take their kid to the weekend tournament,…

Italian ammo box maker coming to US with $16M Kansas City manufacturing facility, 160+ jobs

A new 100,000-square-foot facility in Kansas City marks an Italian precision parts manufacturer’s entrance into the North American market — and signals momentum for the region’s advanced manufacturing sector, said Steven Anthony. RB SRL — a maker of a broad range of components for hunting and shooting ammo, along with ammunition containers for the military/defense…