Your Chamber at Work - April 5, 2021

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Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

Two important ballot issues for your consideration:

Kansas City, Missouri voters: we urge you to vote “Yes” to renew the city’s one-percent earnings tax at the polls tomorrow. The e-tax is critical for the funding of a variety of city services: first responders, trash pickup, maintenance of our roads and streets including pothole repair and snow removal. Voting “Yes” will not raise your taxes, and almost half of the e-tax revenue comes from people who live outside the city limits but work in KCMO.

Because it’s a tax on income, retirees, military personnel, and those who are not working don’t pay the e-tax. Social Security, disability, and unemployment income are not subject to the e-tax.

If the e-tax fails, city services would have to be cut. And replacing the revenue generated by the tax would require significant increases in sales and/or property taxes. Even those increases wouldn’t replace the funding the city would lose without the e-tax. The KC Chamber supports renewal of the e-tax.

The Chamber also supports Metropolitan Community College’s (MCC) attachment ballot initiative in tomorrow’s election. Voters in eight KC area school districts are being asked to approve attaching their K-12 district to that of MCC. Attachment would result in a slight tax increase (approximately 21-cents) for residents of the newly attached school district. It means that students in that district will see their tuition cost per student reduced by almost 50 percent.

The only funding MCC actually controls comes from local taxpayers, and the college’s service area is much larger than its tax base area. The driver behind the initiative is to increase equitable access to higher education. We believe this is the right move and support the initiative.

VIRTUAL MEMBER STANDUP!

KC Chamber members are shining in the spotlight. Register now for our virtual Member Standup, April 9, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Each attendee will have some time to give a self-introduction and share a little about their business. It’s like an elevator speech without the elevator, and a lot more fun. You’ll be able to connect with other Chamber members and make strong connections. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION APPLICATION WORKSHOP

You may be the next Small Business of the Year, Emerging Business of the Year, Weida International Award Winner, Legacy of Kansas City recipient, or Small Business Equity Award Winner. But first, comes the application. Reserve your spot and learn how to put together a great Small Business Celebration Application, at our virtual Application Workshop, Wednesday April 14, 2 to 3 p.m. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the 2021 application and hear from past winners, Top 10 business owners, and judges. Bring your questions for this informative and vital session before you put the finishing touch on your Small Business Awards Application. Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors Evergy, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, our CEO Sponsor Honeywell, and our Media Sponsor Startland News.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP: CULTIVATING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE

Register now for Cultivating a Diverse Workforce, April 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Nicole Jacobs-Silvey, President and Founder of Connection Coach KC, as she discusses attracting leaders of color, identifies how to create a pipeline of candidates, and explores the strategies for creating a culture of belonging that is rooted in both equity and inclusion. This is the latest in our 2021 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workshop series. Our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. This series is now presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce.

WORLD TRADE CENTERS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

As a KC Chamber member, you’re invited to attend the virtual World Trade Center Association’s General Assembly Week, April 26 to April 30, for free. This year’s theme is the Power of Community. The WTC General Assembly gives you access to B2B networking via Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered matchmaking, using an algorithm to effectively connect all attendees to business prospects around the world, an exclusive attendee roster of leaders of business, government, and international organizations from more than 320 World Trade Centers across nearly 100 countries and throughout the United States, and more. Click here to view the WTCA GA agenda, learn more about AI-powered matchmaking and to register. When registering please make sure to select the WTC Network Delegate option and indicate you are affiliated with World Trade Center Kansas City.