Your Chamber at Work - March 19, 2019

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Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

I’m starting off the week at Stanford University with a small delegation of Kansas Citians, including Mayor Sly James, Dianne Cleaver of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI), and Wendy Guillies, Chamber Board member and head of the Kauffman Foundation.

We’re in Palo Alto to make the case for socially-conscious investments in Kansas City, Missouri’s five Opportunity Zones. Under federal Opportunity Zone legislation, investors can reap tax benefits through projects in the economically-distressed zones but without consideration for zone residents. We’ve been working with great partners to ensure that this work includes the voice and direction of the neighborhoods and residents within the Opportunity Zones. It truly is a collaborative effort that highlights the best of when KC comes together and works together for a common purpose.

We want those investments to be transformational, not transactional, and have been working with community stakeholders for the last several months to come up with a prospectus showcasing potential investments in KC’s Opportunity Zones that have the potential to transform those areas. We’ll be one of 25 cities presenting our prospectus to potential investors in Stanford at an Opportunity Zone Summit, investors who do want an ROI, but who also want to make a difference with their dollars.

Among the projects we’ll be highlighting are the 18th & Vine area and UNI’s Phillips Collective project in the Wendell Phillips Neighborhood. Thanks to the Kauffman Foundation, two national consultants have been helping us prepare the prospectus and the consultants tell us KC is far ahead of the other cities which are presenting in Palo Alto. Those cities, they say, are taking a 30,000 foot approach while we’re getting specific.

We know that this is just the beginning of the KC Chamber’s work around inclusive prosperity and we look forward to sharing more with you about Opportunity Zones as this project proceeds.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR PRE-K

We know the educational benefits of expanding Pre-K, but did you know it has a direct impact on the bottom line? Right now 40% of job openings posted in the region require a post-secondary education degree, but just 36% of Kansas Citians hold those degrees. The Pre-K for KC plan is a key step to building our workforce of the future and making sure our youngest citizens are equipped with the right tools. The KC Chamber invites you to join business leaders and national education experts for The Business Case for Pre-K, Wednesday March 20, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided at this free public event, but registration is required. The Chamber’s Board Room is located right next to Pierpont’s, inside historic Union Station, 30 W. Pershing Rd. Email Laura Dryden at Dryden@kcchamber.com with questions.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION CANDIDATES’ SHOWCASE 2019

Come visit with the candidates for the 2019 Mr. K Award and specialty awards. They’ll be showcasing their products and services at the Small Business Celebration Candidates’ Showcase in the Sprint Festival Plaza at Union Station on Wednesday, March 27 from 5-7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. You’ll have a chance to network and meet with the leaders of some of the region’s best and brightest small businesses. There will be complimentary parking in Union Station Parking Garage on the west side of the building. Our Small Business Programming Presenting Sponsors for 2019 are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, and KCP&L. Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. The next event in this series is the Top 10 Think Tank Breakfast, on May 2, sponsored by Bank Midwest.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – ALPHAGRAPHICS

Alphagraphics started in 1970, and now there are more than 2,000 locations in 44 countries. You’re invited to stop by Alphagraphics’ Crossroads location at 1717 Oak for our upcoming Neighborhood Networking event Friday, March 29 from 8:30-10 a.m. Take a look at some of Alphagraphics’ work, ask some questions, and enjoy coffee and conversation with peers. This event is free for members and $15 for non-members. Register here. Thanks to our overall 2019 networking sponsors Mazuma, SS&C, and Sprint. A special thanks to our Neighborhood Networking sponsors Andrews McMeel Universal and Spectrum Reach. Email Brandon Krekel at Krekel@kcchamber.com for more information. If you can’t make this Neighborhood Networking, save the date for the next one, April 5 at Kansas City Urban Youth Academy.

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION

Learn. Serve. Lead. That’s the motto of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program. The two-year, self-directed program prepares our community’s emerging leaders. To find out what this esteemed program is all about and what it requires, come to the Centurions Information Session for the Fall 2021 Cohort. It takes place Tuesday April 2, 8-9:30 a.m. at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick. This session is free, and all are welcome. Contact Lindsay Jarquio at Jarquio@kcchamber.com for more information.