Your Chamber at Work - May 9, 2022

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Newsletters

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

There are one million fewer women in the nation’s workforce today than before the pandemic – and the lack of childcare is the number one reason they’ve left their jobs.

But there’s good news for Kansas businesses. Governor Kelly has signed a bill into law that expands the state’s childcare tax incentives so that even more businesses can help their employees access childcare services. Previously, only C-Corporations were eligible for the credit. Now it’s open to all Kansas businesses.

To take advantage, businesses either offer childcare to their employees directly (on-site) or in conjunction with an outside daycare provider. You can even do this in conjunction with another business, essentially creating a childcare co-op. Businesses can then claim a 50 percent tax credit on expenditures claimed for providing childcare in the first year of their program, and 30 percent moving forward up to $30,000. However, if you provide on-site childcare, businesses can claim 50 percent credit in all years and can claim up to $45,000. To claim the child daycare assistance tax credit, click here.

Access to quality childcare has been a Chamber priority for some time, a part of our commitment to developing a strong workforce. We’ve been a strong advocate on this issue, meeting with any number of Kansas legislators over the past several months to urge passage of this bipartisan bill. I commend the Chamber’s John Jenks and Kansas State Representative Pam Curtis for their amazing work.

And passage didn’t just happen overnight. It started with the Governor’s Committee on Education, and I was pleased to serve on that entity’s subcommittee on Early Childhood Education – that’s where we started thinking about solutions. Our thanks to both the state legislature and Governor Kelly for seeing this important measure through.

Now it’s up to Kansas businesses to take advantage of the expanded tax credit. This is a direct benefit to both you and your employees, and one solution to our region’s workforce concerns.

POLICE CHIEF COMMUNITY SURVEY

Businesses can thrive in a safe community. As the City of Kansas City searches for the next Chief of Police, the KC Chamber and more than a dozen business, civic, and interfaith organizations want to make sure the community’s voice is heard. Take the Community Listening Survey now to share what qualities you want in the next Chief of Police, what their priorities should be, and more. This survey is open to everyone and closes May 15. We’ll then present the survey results to the Board of Police Commissioners at their May 24 meeting. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

ATHENA GLOBAL CAFE: ADVOCATE FIERCELY

A good leader knows how to champion what they know is right. Join the Executive Women’s Leadership Council for Advocate Fiercely, Thursday, May 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Chamber Boardroom located on the first floor of Union Station. This event is part of ATHENA International’s Global Café Series. Keynote Speaker Polo Reo Tate will discuss her past experiences at the U.S. Air Force Academy, including the harassment she endured and the resilience she developed to expand on one of ATHENA’s Eight Principles of Enlightened Leadership. Past recipients of the ATHENA Leadership Award will be recognized at this event, and attendees will also hear information about the 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award application process and timeline. Register here.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION AWARDS LUNCHEON

The Top 10 Small Businesses have been chosen and they’re in the next step of their journey to be named Small Business of the Year. Find out who will take home the Mr. K Award at the Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, June 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Muehlebach Tower Imperial Ballroom, 1213 Wyandotte. In addition to the awards, attendees will hear from keynote speaker Wesley Hamilton, entrepreneur and founder and Executive Director of Disabled But Not Really. This event is open to Chamber members and non-members. Individual member tickets are $45; non-member individual tickets are $55. Tables are also available. Register here. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 Small Business Celebration Awards Luncheon. 2022 Small Business Programming is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy.  Our CEO Sponsor is Honeywell. Our Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. Our Top 10 Announcement Presenting Sponsor is UMB Bank. Our Top 10 Reception Presenting Sponsor is Bank Midwest. Our Awards Luncheon Presenting Sponsor is Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Our Executive Sponsor is CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Our Partner Sponsor is H&R Block. Our Associate Sponsors are Arvest BankCountry Club BankEnterprise Bank & TrustMazuma Credit UnionMenlo and US Bank.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: VETERANS COMMUNITY PROJECT

Veterans Community Project refuses to let any veteran fall through the cracks. Learn more about the organization at our next Neighborhood Networking, Friday, May 20, 8:30 to 10 a.m. at VCP’s 8900 Troost headquarters. From housing to employment support to military documentation services and more, Veterans Community Project has become a vital and impactful community resource serving those who served. Register now and meet the VCP team, connect with your fellow Chamber members, and enjoy coffee and great networking. Free for KC Chamber members; $15 for non-members. Our 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsors are Unbound, Bardavon Health Innovations and Kansas City Current. The KC Chamber's 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.