Increasing numbers of sheltered families have jobs while a growing population is caught in the gap between the wages they earn and the cost of housing. It’s a formula for rising homelessness.
Economics
Posted inEconomics
Proposed Wyandotte data centers require a lot of power: Will that increase your bill?
Data centers could triple Wyandotte County’s power demand. BPU says it can serve data centers without higher utility bills for other ratepayers, but that hasn’t been the case in other markets.
Posted inLocal Government
Peeling back layers of the Country Club Plaza redevelopment deal
A bargain-basement price. A property tax break. An infrastructure incentive. And a property assessment appeal. The Plaza’s new owners have pushed several financial levers to craft a potentially lucrative redevelopment plan.
Posted inState Government
‘The numbers are just not credible’: Kansas used flawed math to estimate economic impact of Chiefs relocation, experts say
The Beacon spoke with four economists who say the state relied on inflated numbers to make the stadium deal look better. State officials say football teams bring in real value as millions flock to the stadium projects.
Posted inState Government
Lawmakers focus on making Kansas more affordable. Here’s what they are proposing
Minimum wage increases, tackling housing costs and more headline the affordability proposals. But Democrats will struggle to pass their plans in a Republican legislature.
Posted inState Government
Kansas lawmakers looking at property tax relief, renter rebates in 2026
Republicans are looking for more property tax relief. Democrats proposed their own plans, which may not get GOP support.
Posted inState Government
Missouri lawmakers will grapple with property tax system in 2026
As property owners contend with rapidly rising assessments and higher tax bills, state lawmakers say they want to change the system and provide some property tax relief.
Posted inEconomics
Port KC punts Country Club Plaza tax break vote to 2026 after fierce pushback
The Port Authority of Kansas City backed off Monday from a vote on a sweeping tax incentive package for developers of the Country Club Plaza. Port KC’s special virtual meeting was attended by about 160 participants but was delayed for more than 17 minutes by a remote hack. The hack set a tone for a […]
Posted inEconomics
Canary in the corner booth: What restaurant closures reveal about the KC economy
Some legacy restaurants close ahead of World Cup opportunity while others report strong sales. Who can afford a night out reveals a split economy.
Posted inEconomics
‘We can’t keep food on the shelf’: KC food pantries struggle to keep up ahead of holidays
The November SNAP disruption sent families to Kansas City food pantries in droves. Now, with supply low and demand high, uncertainty looms over hunger relief.