Posted inEconomics, Housing, Local Government

Jackson County anticipates a 30% increase in property values this year

For three weeks, staffers in the Jackson County assessment department have been on a tour. Their venues: packed rooms in public libraries and community centers. Their audience: homeowners with lots of questions about their property taxes. 

With notices of property value assessments expected any time, anxiety among residential property owners is rising. For at least a month, the Jackson County website has had a banner warning of hourlong wait times for anyone calling the assessment department.

Posted inEconomics, Local Government

FAQ: What you need to know about Kansas City’s new airport

Nearly one month has passed since the opening of the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport, and visitors still seem dazzled as they browse in shops and admire the art in the airy shopping nodes, with the aromas of barbecue and Brazilian dishes drifting from the many restaurants situated around the two concourses.

Since its Feb. 28 opening, the terminal has screened over 300,000 passengers. The Beacon is sharing up-to-date information about some questions that have popped up since the terminal came online. 

Posted inEconomics

As Royals look to build a new $2 billion stadium, Kansas City service workers want to see employee protections

Bill Thompson cooks at a fast-food restaurant, shares a car with his wife and helps care for an older family member. He’s got a lot to manage, but Thompson has found time to attend “listening sessions” that the Kansas City Royals have organized to discuss plans for a new downtown ballpark. “We want to have […]

Posted inEconomics, Local Government

Driving while poor: Project GreenLight wants to help drivers reinstate their licenses

In a city like Kansas City, car ownership is rarely a choice. For decades, the city has been planned around driving. Walkable neighborhoods are scarce, sidewalks are crumbling or nonexistent in some areas of the city, and access to public transportation can be spotty. But owning a car is not cheap — or easy. From […]

Posted inEconomics, Labor

Pawsitive impacts: Program aims to break generational cycles of poverty through pet grooming

In 2018, Ashley Stillings was living in Hope House, a homeless shelter in Lee’s Summit, with her three children. Her husband had received a 12-year prison sentence and she found herself her household’s sole provider. Stillings was working as a waitress when she came across a flier stating that pet groomers can earn $20 an […]

Posted inEconomics

Kansas City’s new airport terminal promises a completely different user experience

Construction of a gleaming new $1.5 billion terminal at Kansas City International Airport is nearly down to finishing touches.  Kansas City residents voted by an overwhelming margin in 2017 to go ahead with the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history, trusting in promises that the new terminal would create a much-improved passenger experience and […]

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