the entrepreneurial Spirit Whether you’re moving your business or starting one up, Kansas City offers enough incentives to make it last..

The Greater Kansas City metropolitan area’s reputation is growing as a great place to do business.

In early 2006, Entrepreneur Magazine ranked the area as the 11th best spot for entrepreneurs. In August 2003, Expansion Management called Kansas City the second-best place in the country to expand or relocate a business, out of 329 metropolitan areas, based on quality of life, education, transportation, access to/affordability of healthcare and availability of technically trained workers.

Transportation & Distribution ranked our quality of workforce and our interstate highway system as the third highest ‘logistics assets’ out of 84 Midwestern cities, in May 2003. The metropolitan area is one of the least congested major urban areas in the nation, according to an annual Texas Transportation Institute study of urban mobility, and one of the lowest cost markets for air travel. It lies within 2 1/2 hours flight time of almost any place else in the continental United States, and the Central Time Zone enhances our ability to reach business associates located throughout the nation.

“People who haven’t been here before are pleasantly surprised by the amenities and the beauty of the city,” says Ellen D’Amato, president and CEO of The Central Exchange, a networking organization that targets businesswomen. “I think area cities are very competitive for new businesses and there are lots of opportunities throughout the area.”

“Our economy is very diverse and fairly stable and our population has a higher-than-average level of education,” says Jeff Pinkerton, senior researcher with Mid-America Regional Council. “(Plus) I think this whole region is very active in economic development operations.”

Business regulations
Kansas City, Missouri, and Overland Park, Kansas, are two of the area’s largest cities. In Overland Park, retail establishments that sell cereal malt beverages, drinking establishments, private clubs, caterers or food service providers, massage therapists, and taxicab/limousine operators must be licensed, but the city does not license most businesses. Home-operated businesses must follow additional guidelines.
Most businesses in Kansas City, Mo., must obtain an occupation license, except for doctors, dentists and lawyers who are licensed by the state. Codes Administration must issue a zoning clearance, and retail businesses must obtain a tax I.D. number from the Missouri Revenue Department. Additional clearances may be required, such as restaurants needing Health Department clearance.

Business properties
Robert J. Wallen, a senior sales associate with Block & Co. Inc., Realtors, says the cost of commercial property is very competitive in this area. However, the availability of lease space is much greater than the number of properties that are on the market.

“Start-up companies are probably better off leasing until they become established, and economic benefits like tax incentives and credits are available in some lease situations. Rental of property drives the growth of suburban shopping centers, which are growing, developing and leasing very well.

“But when you own property you control your own destiny. Because of on-going developments in the midtown metropolitan core, we’re seeing a lot of interest in people owning property, from downtown Kansas City, Missouri, to the Plaza.”