Your Chamber at Work - April 26, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

This week is critical for Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

Despite the fact that Missourians voted to approve a Constitutional amendment calling for Medicaid expansion last summer, legislators in the Missouri House rejected any funding to enact the measure. Last week, a Missouri Senate committee failed to include the required funding as well.

The last legislative chance for Medicaid expansion funding rests solely in a potential Senate floor amendment when the full Senate debates budget bills – expected this week.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson did include Medicaid expansion funding in his proposed budget. We plan to thank him for that later today when he meets with the Chamber Board.

The people of Missouri voted. Ignoring the will of the people by refusing to fund Medicaid expansion is unconscionable, denying as many as 275,000 low-income residents access to the quality healthcare coverage they need.

I made this request last week, and am making it again. Will you please take five minutes to send an e-mail to Senate leadership and to your senator urging them to respect the will of Missouri voters and fully fund Medicaid expansion as required by law. To find your senator, click here.

Thank you.

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Restaurants and other food and beverage service providers took some of the biggest hits during the pandemic, but the Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to help those businesses keep their doors open. Join us tomorrow, April 27, 2 to 3 p.m. for this free virtual session with Michael Barrera, District Director, Kansas City Office, U.S. Small Business Administration, to learn whether you’re eligible, how much money recipients can receive, what you can use it for, and so much more. If you can’t make this session, register for the second one Friday, April 30, 9 to 10 a.m. It’s not just for restaurants, it’s also bakeries, brewpubs, bars, caterers, and food trucks!

Special thanks to the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association and a huge coalition of our fellow chambers of commerce for co-presenting this information session:  Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City, De Soto Chamber of Commerce, Gardner Edgerton Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, Leawood Chamber of Commerce, Lenexa Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Johnson County (NEJC) Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Olathe Chamber of Commerce, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, and Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce.

SHAPING THE NEW NORMAL: HOW BUSINESSES ARE EVOLVING POST-PANDEMIC

Join Healthy KC and the KC Chamber's Executive Women's Leadership Council for "Shaping the New Normal: How Businesses Are Evolving Post-Pandemic,” a free virtual event May 5, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. When we say things will get to back to normal, it’s pretty safe to say the pandemic has changed exactly what “normal” means. Businesses have a unique opportunity to reset their culture. Stacie Engelman, VP, HR Consultant with Lockton Companies moderates a panel featuring Renita Mollman, Chief Administrative Officer, Burns & McDonnell; Tracy Platt, Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resource Officer, Cerner; and Wendee Woodson, Director of Human Resources, GBA. You’ll also hear their Return-to-Work plans and how they will support the mental wellbeing of their employees. Register now for this free event.

VIRTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: STELLAR IMAGE STUDIOS

Join us Friday, May 7, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. as we welcome Chamber member Stellar Image Studio to our next virtual Neighborhood Networking. Co-owner Jasmine Baudler shares how she and her sister started their video production company, how they hope to narrow the industry gender gap, and what it’s like to work with your sister. Plus you’ll connect with your fellow Chamber members for these popular networking events. Register for this free event now. The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound. The KC Chamber's 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

SMALL BUSINESS CELEBRATION: CANDIDATES’ VIRTUAL SHOWCASE

Cheer on your favorite small businesses as they make their pitches to the judges on why they should be the 2021 Small Business of the Year (or win another of our Small Business Awards)! The virtual Candidates’ Showcase is Tuesday, May 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, May 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Shark Tank-style event gives candidates five minutes to present their business and take questions from the anonymous judges in their quest to take home the Mr. K or other small business award. Registration is free, but make sure you register for each day individually. Special thanks to our sponsors: Overall 2021 Small Business Programming Presented By Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Evergy. Our CEO Level Sponsor is Honeywell. Candidates’ Showcase Presenting Sponsor is American Century Investments. Media Sponsor is Startland News.