Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
It’s a crisp March morning, and Kansas City‘s local business scene is buzzing. Not with the usual hum of cash registers, but with something bigger – a movement that’s reshaping how this heartland metro thinks about shopping local.
More than 50,000 small businesses with fewer than 100 employees now call the KC metro home. They’re the backbone of a region that’s rapidly redefining itself as a hub for entrepreneurial innovation. From Liberty to Olathe and Platte City to Pleasant Hill, cities of all sizes are working to strengthen the brick-and-mortar business scene.
But Kansas City isn’t just talking about supporting local businesses – it’s putting real money behind it. The Back to Business Fund now offers up to $3,000 per business for vandalism recovery, helping small shops bounce back from setbacks. It’s the kind of practical support that can make or break a family business.
“We connect entrepreneurs to resources, coaches, funding, and education,” says KCSourceLink, the organization that’s become the nerve center of KC’s small business ecosystem. Their network of 230+ business resources isn’t just impressive – it’s transforming lives.
The impact on minority-owned businesses has been particularly significant. Kansas City G.I.F.T. is leading the charge in “fostering economic opportunities and job creation in low-income areas through supporting Black-owned businesses.” Their work dovetails with LocalCode Kansas City, which helps low-income communities build wealth through local business and real estate ownership.
The KC Chamber’s getting in on the action too. Their Small Business Superstars program isn’t just another awards ceremony. It’s their way of saying “we see you” to the small shops and services that give KC its character. As they put it, “small businesses in our region get extra love and visibility in the first quarter of each year.”
Surrounding Communities Prioritizing Small Business
It’s not just Kansas City, the core of the metropolitan area, the suburbs and nearby cities are also making it a priority.
Across the state line, Topeka’s cooking up something special. The Greater Topeka Partnership has launched a five-year program “built to unlock growth and economic opportunity for all, they’re putting serious money behind the effort
Suburbs are also emerging as critical players in supporting local business ecosystems. Blue Springs has launched its #BlueSpringsStrong campaign, emphasizing that small businesses are crucial to community vitality, including the school tax base. Overland Park’s Chamber of Commerce continues to provide strategic support for local enterprises, while Lenexa has created innovative shopping initiatives to support local merchants harmed by decreased traffic from highway infrastructure projects. Lee’s Summit’s downtown area hosts over 100 community events annually, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and creating a vibrant local economic network and landing the most livable cities categories.
Not to be outdone, small towns are proving they’re not giving up economic power to their bigger neighbors. Take Pleasant Hill – a sleepy bedroom community that’s catching the eye of families seeking a quieter lifestyle and businesses. They’ve cooked up numerous festivals and other downtown events to draw folks in, and keep them in town for shopping. North on 291, Liberty is showing off its local charm, proving that small towns can pack a serious economic punch. It’s not about how big your town is. It’s about how hard you’re willing to fight for your local businesses, say supporters of mom-and-pop shops.
Why it Matters
Here’s why this matters: When you buy locally, your money becomes a force for good in your community. The American Independent Business Alliance found that 48 cents of every dollar spent at local, independent businesses recirculate in the local economy. Chain stores? A measly 14 cents. That difference isn’t just statistics – it’s real money that could be supporting your neighbors’ dreams.
Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has earned a reputation for having “an abundance of resources to help small business owners thrive.” It’s not just about surviving anymore – it’s about building something lasting.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s latest economic strategy reads like a love letter to local business. Their comprehensive plan focuses on strengthening local institutions and building economic resilience. They’re thinking decades ahead, not just quarters.
The numbers tell the story: 17,500 new jobs in just the first half of 2024. But the real story? It’s playing out in coffee shops and boutiques, repair shops and restaurants across the metro. It’s in the faces of business owners who, for the first time in a long while, are feeling pretty good about tomorrow.
This isn’t just about feeling good when you shop local. It’s about building a Kansas City that works for everyone. One purchase, one business, one neighborhood at a time.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
