Your Chamber at Work - October 24, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

When the dust settled from the Paycheck Protection Program, it was obvious there was a problem. Of the 4,677 PPP loans awarded to Kansas City area businesses, only 24 went to Black-owned firms, 34 to Hispanic-owned firms, and 33 to Asian-owned firms.

The issue: too many minority-owned firms don’t have a relationship with a bank, which would have eased their application for federal dollars.

So about two years ago, the Chamber convened a group of bankers, entrepreneurial support organizations, foundations, and businesses to help close that gap. We’ve showcased minority business owners to the organizations that can provide them support, and we’ve hosted networking events bringing those groups together.

Now, an exciting new effort supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation can help bridge the gap:  a new Loan Loss Reserve Fund.

Here’s how it works. The Loan Loss Reserve Program will work with approved lenders to provide loan loss reserve funds that support lending to entrepreneurs in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Learn how to become an approved lender and access more program details and an application available from the program administrator, LOCUS.

And a huge thank you to all our banking members, Kauffman Foundation, and the many others who have been so committed to this work. In true Kansas City spirit we rallied around one another to work towards lasting solutions. It does my heart good.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AUTHOR SERIES: DARA HORN, PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWS

Join us as author Dara Horn discusses her book People Love Dead Jews, Tuesday, October 25, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Commerce Trust Building, 922 Walnut St, 15th Floor Auditorium. In her book, Horn explores a pointed question: Why do far too many people seem to love dead Jews, but ignore the living ones? Is there any connection between recent antisemitic attacks and recent controversies about public Holocaust education? Register here. Thanks to Humanities Kansas & Earl J. and Leona K. Tranin Special Fund. The Chamber’s Presenting Diversity Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. Our Workshop Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank.

WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE

The pandemic had a significant impact on women in the workforce. Many left to serve as caregivers and many left service jobs that never reappeared. Join the KC Chamber’s Executive Women’s Leadership Coalition and the Workforce Development Committee for Women in the Workforce, Monday, October 31, 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Evergy’s 1200 Main St location in Downtown Kansas City. UnitedWE Ceo Wendy Doyle will moderate a conversation focused on reasons women are leaving the workforce, solutions for retention, and much more. This event is free, but registration is required. Save your spot today! Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors KPMG and UMB.

135TH ANNUAL DINNER

Did you buy your tickets yet for the KC Chamber’s 135th Annual? Don't miss one of the biggest events of the year, kicking off the holidays. Join us Tuesday, November 22 at the Kay Barnes Ballroom in the Kansas City Convention Center, 301 W. 13th in Downtown Kansas City. Enjoy some of the region’s best networking starting at 4 p.m., followed by dinner and our program beginning at 5:30 p.m. We’ll enjoy the crowd-moving music of Lost Wax, KC’s original mashup party band, then celebrate everything from the NFL Draft to the opening of the new single terminal at KC to the World Cup and so much more! Don’t miss it when we announce the Kansas Citian of the Year! These days, the world really is #Connected2KC. Get your tickets now. Special thanks to our 2022 Annual Dinner Presenting Sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Our Visionary Sponsor is Kansas City Southern. Our Premier Sponsors are Hallmark, JE Dunn Construction, and UMB Bank. Our Executive Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union and McCownGordon Construction.

ECONOMIC FORECAST VIRTUAL EVENT

What's next for our economy? We'll answer that question at our annual Economic Forecast. Save: the date because this year's virtual event is December 8, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Frank Lenk of the Mid-America Regional Council and Chris Kuehl of Armada C.I. focus on Kansas City’s workforce and jobs outlook, supply chain, and key economic recovery indicators. You’ll also hear thoughts about the region’s growth as it compares to other parts of the country, any possible effects from the midterm elections, and international geopolitical impacts. Don’t forget to bring your own questions to submit in the chat. This event is $10 for Chamber members; $20 for non-members. Register here. Thank you to our 2022 Economic Forecast Sponsors. Our Presenting Sponsor is UMB. Our Cornerstone Sponsor is BMO Harris Bank.