FROM THE KC CHAMBER’S PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kansas City voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, April 7, to decide whether to renew the city’s 1% earnings tax, a longstanding source of funding for essential city services. The tax has been in place since 1963 and, under Missouri law, must be renewed by voters every five years. The KC Chamber strongly supports renewing the earnings tax, recognizing it as a critical and stable source of revenue that funds nearly half of the city’s general services.
Importantly, the April ballot question does not create a new tax or increase the current rate. Instead, it simply asks voters whether to continue the same 1% earnings tax that helps fund the services Kansas Citians rely on every day.
Today, the earnings tax provides nearly half of Kansas City’s general fund revenue, supporting core services that keep our city functioning. These include public safety, fire and emergency response, street maintenance, trash collection, snow removal, and infrastructure upkeep. These foundational services make it possible for businesses to operate, neighborhoods to thrive, and our region to continue attracting talent and investment.
The tax also reflects the reality of Kansas City’s regional economy. Because it applies to people who live or work in Kansas City, a significant portion of the revenue supporting these services comes from individuals who commute into the city each day and benefit from its infrastructure and public services.
Without renewal, the impact would be significant. If the earnings tax is not renewed, there is no realistic path to replacing the services and jobs that would be lost.
For the KC Chamber and the regional business community, strong city services and safe, well-maintained infrastructure are essential to economic growth and quality of life. Renewing the earnings tax is critical to sustaining those investments and ensuring Kansas City has the resources needed to maintain core services that businesses, workers, and residents rely on every day. I strongly encourage KC Chamber members who are registered voters in Kansas City, Missouri, to learn more about the measure and vote YES on April 7 to help keep Kansas City moving forward.
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP: ATHENA NOMINATIONS OPEN MAY 1
March is a time to reflect on the many women whose leadership, innovation, and dedication have shaped our communities. That reflection also includes looking ahead to one of the KC Chamber’s most meaningful traditions: the ATHENA Awards, which recognize individuals who demonstrate professional excellence, contribute to their communities, and actively help other women rise.
In 2026, the KC Chamber marks 25 years of presenting the ATHENA Awards locally, celebrating a quarter century of highlighting leaders who strengthen the Kansas City region through achievement, mentorship, and service. The ATHENA Leadership Award honors established leaders who embody these qualities, while the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes emerging leaders making an impact early in their careers. Since the program’s founding in 1982, more than 7,000 leaders across over 500 communities worldwide have received the prestigious ATHENA honor.
Nominations for the 2026 ATHENA Awards open May 1. Nominees may come from either the for-profit or nonprofit sectors across the Greater Kansas City region, and Chamber membership is not required. Recipients will be recognized at the KC Chamber’s annual ATHENA Reception on September 29. Visit our website now to learn more about the awards, nomination process, and criteria.
SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION: UPCOMING TOP 10 ANNOUNCEMENT AND CEO PANEL
The excitement of the 2026 Small Business Celebration continues April 1, when the KC Chamber will announce this year’s Top 10 Small Businesses competing for the prestigious Mr. K Small Business of the Year Award and other specialty awards. The announcement will take place on Chamber social media, marking the next milestone in the region’s longest-running celebration of small business excellence.
Following the announcement, business leaders and community members are invited to hear directly from these standout companies during the Top 10 CEO Panel on Tuesday, May 5, a virtual event featuring leaders from the selected businesses. During the conversation from 8:45-9:45 a.m., panelists will share insights about leadership, growth, and the lessons learned while building successful companies in the Kansas City region. Learn more and register today!
RECONNECTING THE EAST SIDE: PART II
Community leaders and stakeholders are invited to continue the conversation around the Reconnecting the East Side initiative during the upcoming Part II event on Wednesday, April 15, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., in the KC Chamber Board Room (30 W. Pershing Rd., KCMO). The project is exploring ways to address long-standing challenges created by the construction of US-71, which divided neighborhoods and limited safe crossings for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists. The effort focuses on identifying solutions that improve safety, strengthen neighborhood connections, and support long-term community investment along the corridor.
This second presentation will provide additional insight into the project’s goals and progress while allowing participants to learn more about the planning process and how community input is helping shape potential solutions. The initiative is part of a broader effort led by Kansas City in partnership with regional and federal agencies to build a safer, more accessible, and more connected East Side. Learn more and register now!
STAY CONNECTED TO STATE POLICY THIS SPRING
As legislative sessions continue in Topeka and Jefferson City, the KC Chamber’s Kansas State Affairs (KSA) and Missouri State Affairs (MSA) committees provide opportunities for members to hear directly from policymakers and stay informed on issues impacting the regional business community. These events offer legislative updates, policy discussion, and a chance to connect with fellow business leaders engaged in public policy.
Upcoming opportunities begin with the April Missouri State Affairs Committee Meeting, which will provide updates from Jefferson City as the Missouri legislative session continues. In May, the Kansas State Affairs Wrap-Up Luncheon will offer insights on the Kansas legislative session and key policy outcomes affecting the regional business community.
Learn more and register:
- Missouri State Affairs Committee Meeting | Friday, April 17 | Register
- Kansas State Affairs Wrap-Up Luncheon | Friday, May 8 | Register
Learn more about the KC Chamber’s advocacy priorities and ongoing work supporting a strong regional business climate today.