06.27.2024

Today’s Forecast

86º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:54 a.m. | Sunset 8:48 p.m.

We’re taking you to business school

The top industries and employers in Kansas City

Later sunrises may mean more color on your morning commute. | Photo by @mikedayphotography

More than 1 million people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Kansas City metro’s $145.95 billion economy. But have you ever wondered about KC’s heaviest hitters?

Consider this Kansas City Business 101 — your guide to our region’s five key industries and five major employers.

The key industries

There are five key industries that represent the Kansas City metro’s economy, based on data from the Kansas City Area Development Council. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.

Bioscience | 113,969 employees
The KC region is a proven global leader in animal health, drug development, diagnostics, and clinical research. The region offers a strong network of expertise + knowledge for human and animal health companies — all working to grow their businesses and advance their technologies.

Technology | 106,461 employees
Our tech sector is growing faster than the national average, directly contributing almost 10% to the regional economy. One in every 10 workers in KC is employed by the tech industry — with 3,900+ tech companies in the metro, ranging from startups to global enterprises.

Distribution | 102,410 employees
KC is the most centrally located major US market — making it the focal point of movement + distribution of goods, due in large part to the region’s abundant, multi-modal transportation network.

Financial Services | 79,900 employees
The diverse and well-balanced economy, network infrastructure, and skilled workforce of KC makes it attractive to the financial services industry.

Food and Beverage | 26,921 employees
680+ industrial food and beverage companies call KC home — and it’s not hard to see why. KC’s food and beverage industry continues to thrive with proximity to key agriculture markets, advanced logistics infrastructure, and a strong industry-specific talent pipeline.

Now see who’s hiring

Asked

Which industry do you currently work in or are most interested in?

A. Government/Public Sector
B. Biosciences
C. Transportation/Logistics
D. Other

Test your business smarts

Events

Thursday, June 27

KC Monarchs vs. Sioux City Explorers | Thursday, June 27 | 6:35 p.m. | Legends Field, 1800 Village W. Pkwy., KCK | $17.50-$65 | The Legends Club ticket to this ball game includes a buffet, beer, wine, soda, and popcorn.

Friday, June 28

49th Annual Ice Cream Social | Friday, June 28 | 5-7 p.m. | Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS | Free | Enjoy a free ice cream and petting zoo for the kids.
PARKED! | Friday, June 28 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Stump Park, 4751 Woodland Dr., Shawnee, KS | Free | Celebrate the start of National Parks + Recreation Month with live music, food trucks, and a fireworks display.
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band | Friday, June 28 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Blvd., KCMO | $50-$125 | “You Can’t Resist It” — the iconic country singer is roping you in.

Saturday, June 29

Dark Star Orchestra | Saturday, June 29 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | GrindersKC, 1826 Locust St., KCMO | $35 | Tuck some “Scarlet Begonias” into your hair and check out this Grateful Dead cover band.
Tassel Takedown: Burlesque Westling Madness | Saturday, June 29 | 8-11 p.m. | Blip Roasters, 1301 Woodswether Rd., KCMO | $30-$80 | Get ready to rumble as these campy burlesque performers wrestle it out.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

For the next four months, drivers on 69 Highway may have to find new routes. Ramps for both 119th Street to northbound US 69 + southbound US 69 to 119th Street are now closed for 69Express construction. (FOX4)

Announced

It’s last call for the seasonal tasting menu at Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room. The concept will be replaced by cocktail lounge Songbird which will feature craft drinks, nonalcoholic options + a food menu. Construction is set to complete in September. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Number

$101,142. That’s the minimum income needed to support a four person family in Missouri, according to new data by Smart Asset. Kansas residents can expect a slightly smaller number, $98,369.

Try This

Ka-chow. If you’ve got a need for speed, Lenexa’s new World of Racing (4760 W. 135th St.) has the perfect fix. The virtual racing facility offers 12 simulators featuring 150+ race tracks and 300+ cars to choose from. (Johnson County Post)

Trending

A Hallmark love story has never hit quite so close to home. The local biz’s movie channel is producing a new Christmas flick inspired by Travis Kelce + Taylor Swift. “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” will begin filming in KC next month. (FOX4)

Travel

Summer roadtrippers, keep this in mind: Kansas tollbooths are a thing of the past. The Kansas Turnpike Authority will officially be cashless starting Monday, July 1. KTAG or not, all tolls will be paid through DriveKS.

Correction

Festivities for the the 20th annual KC Fringe Fest run Friday, July 12-Sunday, July 28. Take a sneak peak at all the plays, films, visual arts, and workshops slated. Passes start at $65, and are available to reserve now.

Pets

Have you heard? CITYDOGs has officially opened its new location on Summit Street. If you’re on the hunt for industry-leading care for your furry friend (think: boarding, daycare, and grooming services), you’re in luck. Psst… You don’t want to miss their indoor + outdoor dog park.*

Development

🍃 The future of Barney Allis Plaza

Barney Allis Plaza reimagined with public art, pavilions, and dog park

One square block of green oasis in the middle of downtown. | Renderings via Barney Allis Plaza Project

Named for a famous hotelier who tended to the likes of Helen Keller, Babe Ruth, and Elvis at the nearby Muehlebach — downtown’s Barney Allis Plaza has become less than star-studded in recent years, but that’s all about to change.

Yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony kicked off a years-long construction process making over the duo park + parking garage — its first facelift since 1985. See what you can expect from this central city block in the future:

Above ground amenities

The new and improved iteration promises a “arts-focused greenspace” with usability in mind:

Two lawns — one sloped and one oval-shaped, meant to for informal meet-ups and terraced views of the park
Two plazas — an events space paved to host festivals, concerts, and other large gatherings + a pavilion plaza made to feature artwork and smaller pop-ups like food trucks
A dog park — designated “play mounds” will be set aside for pooches of any size
Better accessibility — rather than the stairs of yore, park-goers will be able to enter from street-level

What about parking?

The Buy

The Buy 6.27.24 (Affiliate)

A great basic baseball cap to keep the sun off your face all season long, like ones from Life Is Good or Adidas.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madison

From the editor

I’m currently in the middle of a move, so work-from-home looks more like work-from-coffee shop. My recent favorite is Fairway Creamery — a delicious discovery I made writing KCtoday’s donut guide.

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