Ingrams September 2023

i250 ECONOMIC REPORT

At CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Lisa Ginter sees a convergence of opportunities. “The new airport, the NFL Draft, and now, the 2026 FIFA World Cup are all leading indicators that we have so many exciting oppor tunities ahead for Kansas City,” she said. “Focusing on improvements to our transportation infrastructure and reducing crime will be important for us to tackle if we want to maximize our full potential.” To her point on infrastructure im- provements, Damon Anderson of Tall grass Freight is prepared to issue a challenge. “Let’s dream big: Why not imagine the idea of light rail running parallel to 435 all around the metro?” he asked. “The benefits of light rail connecting both sides of the metro would transform the entire city.” Kathy Nelson, whose Greater Kansas City Sports Commission Foundation will play a key role in formulating the World Cup strategy, also chimed in with a two-word need: “Regional transportation.” Tammy Peterman at The University of Kansas Health Sys- tem, believes that “the work on ex panding the streetcar in a way that connects different parts of our city is important.” Precisely, said MMGY’s chief exec utive, Katie Briscoe. “Continuing to connect different parts of the city through mass transit” is huge, she said. “I’d love to see light rail transit from our new airport.”

“I think Kansas City should lay claim to being the leading U.S. city focused on supporting the growth of women’s sports,.”

— ANNE ST. PETER , CO-FOUNDER, GLOBAL PRAIRIE

at our transportation infrastructure.” But do it right, he says. “Due to the lack of planning, it changed the quality of life in high-growth cities like Austin and Nashville.” Bill George of WHC Worldwide stressed a health care/public safety theme. “We need a metro-wide re sponse to the lack of mental-health facilities and rising violent crime,” George said. “It makes no difference how many wonderful attractions we have unless people feel safe to venture outside and enjoy them.” Health care, naturally, is the lens through which Bob Page views oppor tunities at The University of Kansas Health System. “I will admit to being biased, but I believe the next big thing is to make Kansas City a national hub for medical research and advanced medical care,” he said. “The new can cer facility we are building with the Medical Center is one example of how that will happen.” That could be the linchpin in ele vating the region around the hospital, which abuts Midtown along State Line,

The journey to make Kansas City a destination for cancer care, said his Kansas City market president, Tammy Peterman, requires “supporting those at the bench and the bedside to work together to develop the next generations of cancer treatment.” UnitedHealthcare’s Rob Broomfield, by contrast to most, doesn’t think Kansas City needs a “next big thing.” He’d prefer to see a series of smaller wins being strung together into major victories. It’s all about priorities, he says, ones that benefit the region and its people. “Let’s focus on helping them all be more successful.” Greg Graves, who is keeping plenty busy with board service following his 2016 retirement from Burns & McDon nell, says the concept of identifying the region’s Next Big Thing is “a terrific question. The obvious answer for which I am a big supporter is a new stadium for the Royals, but let’s not make it that easy, either. My vote is the South Loop ‘lid’ project, an idea that goes back to Mayer Kay Barnes and City Manager Wayne Cauthen. One of my favorite ‘no bad ideas’ meetings ever!” In any event, said Jeff Spencer of Holmes Murphy & Associates, the time has arrived to “resolve the location of the Royals Stadium once and for all.” Mike Rainen, one of the city’s most prolific and astute property investors, issued a clarion call focused on what can easily be called the heart of Kansas City: “Locals should step up and redirect the vitality and safety of the Plaza,” he said. “It is a national, historic gem that has been managed by out-of-towners to their own detriment and recent loan default. Now, Kansas Citians need to return it to its old luster.” Recession Odds Poll 250 executives from diverse business sectors on where the economy

“Locals should step up and redirect the vitality and safety of the Plaza. ... Kansas Citians need to return it to its old luster.”

— MIKE RAINEN , PROPERTY OWNER/INVESTOR

into a destination medical facility “where research, education, and pat ient care come together to attract new business to the metro, national and international researchers who will create new medicine for some of the most challenging conditions and pat ients from around the world” for cut ting-edge care.

Commerce Bank president Rob Bratcher sees potential in the power of transit—with a caveat. “It’s a combination of tackling key areas that could hinder or halt the momentum attracting many new companies and major investments in our region,” he said. “One major area to focus on is the need to take a fresh look

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I ngr am ’ s

Kansas City’s Business Media

September 2023