Doing Business in Kansas City (KS)

Located in both Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City (KC) is a growing bi-state metropolitan area often referred to as the Heart of America. This nickname references the area’s rich BBQ culture and the fact the city lies close to the geographic center of the U.S. at the intersection of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The city is also home to the American Jazz Museum, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Science City, and Major League Baseball’s Royals.

Kansas City Economic Profile

The economy of Kansas City includes a diverse number of companies from small organizations to large privately held and public companies. The top industries include automobile manufacturing, railroads, bakery products, meat processing, and agricultural business. There are over 50,270 businesses located in the metropolitan area with a total population of 491,158. The state’s overall unemployment rate is currently 2.4% which is lower than the national rate of 3.6%. The area’s largest employers include Truman Medical Center, SS&C, and Burns & McDonnell.

Kansas City Business Incentives

There are several businesses, tax, financing, and other incentives available to businesses operating in Kansas City, Overland Park, Olathe, and across Kansas. Not every business will be eligible for each program as these are designed to target and incentivize different hiring, workforce development, and other activities. These incentives include the Neighborhood Revitalization Act Rebate, Sales Tax Revenue Bonds (STAR), Economic Development Exemption, and Industrial Revenue Bonds.