Government Stories

KCMO mayoral candidates Quinton Lucas and Jolie Justus

Startup advocates to next mayor: Make KC more attractive to tech talent, women, innovation

Months of candidate forums are complete. The door bells have been rung. Selfies taken. As the Kansas City mayor’s race heads to the polls Tuesday, the candidates are all business when it comes to courting the startup community’s vote. Jolie Justus — who has branded herself as the next “neighborhood mayor” — and Quinton Lucas…

Councilwoman Jolie Justus, StartupKC Small Business and Entrepreneurship Mayoral Forum

Jolie Justus’ open letter to startups: In many ways, the city has failed you — let’s do better together

[Editor’s note: Startland News invited Kansas City mayoral candidates Jolie Justus and Quinton Lucas to compose open letters to address their potential constituents in KC’s entrepreneur community of startups, makers, creatives and risk-takers. Justus’ response is below. Lucas did not participate. The vote is set for Tuesday, June 18.] I trust this community to see…

USDA moving two key agencies to KC, expected to bring 568 new jobs to the animal health corridor

Corporate and government leaders agree: Kansas City is positioned at the hub of innovation in the animal health space, they said Thursday, announcing the metro has been chosen as the new home of two federal agencies. “Kansas City is a city with a small town feel, which makes it a great place to build a…

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson border war kc

Missouri governor signs bill to end KC ‘border war,’ awaits Kansas response

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a bill Tuesday placing restrictions on tax incentives offered to businesses moving from certain counties in Kansas to Missouri. The bill represents a step toward ending the economic development “border war” between the two states. “This is really about being competitive with real competitors,” said Parson, who was in Kansas…

$50K inclusion grant to KCMO a step toward ‘most entrepreneurial city’ for everyone

Kansas City, Missouri, pocketed a major win for the entrepreneurial community Wednesday, becoming one of 10 cities in the nation to be selected for the City Accelerator initiative for inclusive contract procurement. The city will receive a $50,000 grant by the Citi Foundations and Living Cities to increase the opportunities for firms owned by people…