Your Chamber at Work - January 31, 2022

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

The KC Chamber’s Big 5 Transportation has infrastructure on its mind throughout its two years of work. And that subject got a lot of attention last week: Missouri Governor Mike Parson met with the Chamber Board, and I spent part of Friday with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Kansas City, Kansas as he discussed the possibilities from the bipartisan infrastructure funding bill.

Governor Parson discussed his funding priorities with the Board, including infrastructure, workforce and education, dollars to cover Medicaid expansion, childcare, and mental health, priorities the Chamber shares.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has already suggested that federal infrastructure dollars could be used for improvements of I-70 between Downtown and I-435, as well as the I-29 and I-35 corridor in Clay County.

In the meeting with Secretary Buttigieg, Representative Sharice Davids said infrastructure dollars would be used to improve the U.S. 69 corridor in Johnson County.

Buttigieg came to Kansas City, Kansas just hours after the collapse of a bridge in Pittsburgh PA, and called it a blunt reminder of how urgent the need is to invest in U.S. infrastructure. (By the way, Missouri has 2,190 bridges that are structurally deficient. Kansas has 1,277.)

There are a number of possibilities under discussion for funding locally. The Chamber’s Big 5 Transportation Committee is looking at projects to enhance Ride KC services, streetcar funding, and various Interstate highway projects on both sides of the state line. The committee is now working with our regional chamber partners to ensure regional business consensus on these projects.

Other groups are advocating for projects including the Green Corridor Transit line (a bi-state fast-transit bus line running between Independence, MO and State Avenue in KS); the South Loop Link (putting a lid over I-670 to create an urban park between Downtown and the Crossroads); funding for a new building in the Health Sciences District; and renovation of Barney Allis Plaza (partially closed now because of deterioration).

Many of these represent good opportunities for Federal Infrastructure funds, while others are better suited to short term State investment using federal stimulus funds.

Stay tuned…

SMALL BUSINESS SUPERSTARS

Recognize the small businesses that you love by submitting your Small Business Superstars today! These are the coffee shops, plumbers, bakeries, insurance agents, and more that you love. Small businesses keep the local economy moving forward. We’ll recognize every Superstar with a digital marketing toolkit and access to additional resources. Have multiple submissions? Use this link. You can submit now through next Tuesday, February 7. Then make sure you’re following @kcchamber on Instagram as previous Superstars are in the driver’s seat for Takeover Tuesdays through March 8. Submit your Small Business Superstars today!

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: KIRK FAMILY YMCA

See how the former Lyric Opera and old KMBC 9 news station building has been transformed into the new Kirk Family YMCA. Join us for Neighborhood Networking Friday, February 11 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 222 W. 11th Street, Kansas City, MO. This newly-renovated facility offers a pool, workout room, group exercise, kids’ activities, community programs, and more. Enjoy hot coffee and a light breakfast while seeing old friends and making new connections. Register here. Neighborhood Networking is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber's 2022 Neighborhood Networking sponsor is Unbound and the 2022 overall networking sponsors are Delta Dental and Mazuma Credit Union.

VIRTUAL DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AUTHOR SERIES – SECOND CHANCE HIRING: THE UNTAPPED TALENT POOL

Second chance hiring benefits entire communities. In our next virtual Diversity & Inclusion series, author and economic researcher Jeff Korzenik discusses his new book “Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community.” Join us Tuesday, February 22, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., as Korzenik discusses the book, which is the first and only book of its kind, and how second chance hiring can help solve the nation’s workforce shortage. This virtual event is free and open to all. Register here. Thanks to our Presenting Diversity Sponsors CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. Our Workshop Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank.

genKC’s GROW TO CEO: BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL BRAND

Join genKC for the first in 2022’s Grow to CEO series. Register now for Building Your Professional Brand, Thursday, February 24, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in our Chamber Board Room located in the southeast corner of the first floor of Union Station. Hear how some of KC’s top leaders in businesses and civic issues have navigated career growth and the crucial skills they’ve learned along the way. The Grow to CEO series is free for Chamber members and $5 for non-members. The event is hybrid and you’ll choose how you plan to attend when you register.