Your Chamber at Work - March 25, 2024

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

In thinking about my message this week, I found myself looking back on memories of my father and I attending Royals games, and how that spurred future memory-making opportunities with my own sons. I recalled the joy we felt when the team won the World Series in 1985 and 2015, and the elation we experienced when the Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2020. These two teams bring Kansas Citians together, even during the tough season when wins are harder to come by. 

On April 2, Jackson County voters will cast ballots in an election with a generational impact. The teams have committed their own dollars to a downtown baseball district as well as extensive renovations at Arrowhead Stadium, and plan to seek additional funding from the state of Missouri. However, voter approval to extend the 3/8-cent sales tax for stadium projects is the first and most crucial piece of the funding puzzle to keep the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

Passage of the sales tax extension is key to a public-private partnership. As the word “partnership” implies, taxpayers bear a portion of responsibility for supporting these community assets. As a sales tax, anyone who makes a purchase in Jackson County contributes. Short- and long-term jobs are supported by construction, maintenance and renovation of the stadiums. Businesses earn revenue from game day activities and players contribute to the city’s earning tax. And all these factors create momentum for winning bids to host collegiate sporting tournaments, stadium-filling concerts and the largest tournament on the planet, FIFA World Cup 26™, generating even more revenue for the region.

Both teams have now outlined Community Benefit Agreement packages with Jackson County and the Crossroads District as well as agreed to funding for Kansas City Public Schools to ensure no loss of property tax revenue. They are making good on a promise to be excellent partners who complement the Crossroads and Power & Light districts while enhancing connections to historic neighborhoods like 18th & Vine. Voters will be deciding the future of the same tax Jackson County has been paying for decades, this time with better benefits for the entire community.

When adding up the overall economic benefit for our region, the sense of pride our professional sports teams provide the city and the years of happy memories they inspire, there is overwhelming value in voting yes to extend the 3/8-cent sales tax. Learn more and help inform your circle of influence on all the facts of this important vote by visiting YesOn1JacksonCounty.com.

TRANSFORMATION IN THE WORKPLACE

You are invited to join the LGBT Mid-America Chamber of Commerce for Transformation in the Workplace on Friday, March 29, from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City. The day will include transgender and gender non-binary inclusion training and networking opportunities with workshops that consist of breakout sessions that will appeal to the following audiences:

• Businesses beginning their journey to provide those who are early on in their journey with the tools and information to best support Transgender & Gender Expansive (TGX) people in the workplace. 
• Businesses advancing their journey to provide those who have established practices/policies for TGX employees and want to dig deeper. 
• Community seeking information and resources for our LGBTQ+ siblings and family. 

Learn more and register for the workshop by visiting the LGBT Chamber website. 

CENTURIONS INFORMATION SESSION FOR DIVERSE PROFESSIONALS

The Centurions Leadership Program understands how essential diversity is to the sustainability and growth of the program. Centurions also recognize this leadership experience is different for people of color and those who identify as diverse. Participants often discuss these experiences amongst one another, but we believe it is time to start an open dialogue on a larger scale. Join us on Wednesday, April 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (107 W 10th St., Kansas City, MO) to further the conversation. There is no attendance fee; however, registration is required by clicking here. 

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING – CHICKEN N PICKLE

Start your morning off right on Friday, April 5, from 8:30 to 10 a.m., with a stop at Chicken N Pickle (5901 W. 135th St.) in Overland Park for a premier Neighborhood Networking experience. Grab a cup of coffee and engage in productive conversation at this unique, indoor/outdoor entertainment complex whose mission is to provide an atmosphere that fosters fun, friendship, and community. This is the ideal setting for making meaningful business connections. Neighborhood Networking is free for members and $15 for non-members. Register now! 

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION CANDIDATES’ SHOWCASE

The Grand Plaza at Union Station (30 West Pershing Rd.) will be filled with Small Business Award Candidate display tables on Tuesday, April 11, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. for big-time networking. Join us for this opportunity to meet decision-makers from some of the region's best and brightest small businesses. General admission costs $10 and includes food, a drink ticket and complimentary parking in the West Yards Garage behind Union Station. Register now! Thank you to our Small Business Celebration Candidates’ Showcase sponsor CommunityAmerica Credit Union for your support of this event.