The sold-out event united more than 2,000 civic and business leaders that support Kansas City’s regional growth and rising global influence
KANSAS CITY – Nov. 14, 2024 – Today, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting, the KC region’s largest yearly business gathering, convening leaders from across the 18-county, two-state area. The event, themed “FLEX,” celebrated a landmark year of growth and reinforced the power of flexibility and adaptability as drivers of regional success.
To date in 2024, KCADC and its partners attracted 16 companies to the region, driving $1.8 billion in capital investment, 1,498 new jobs, $104.7 million in wages and 2.3 million square feet of new space. This year also marked a new milestone in KCADC’s media coverage, with 630+ stories of Kansas City’s project wins, industry strengths and lifestyle amenities reaching an audience of more than 1.25 billion – 1 in 8 people worldwide.
Celebrating the year’s many significant project successes, Ora Reynolds, KCADC senior co-chair and president & CEO of Hunt Midwest, noted that the region’s monumental successes and bold moves are the foundation for KC’s long-term growth.
"When our partners flex their strengths, from community-building to attracting world-class investments, Kansas City becomes a stronger, more resilient region," Reynolds said. "Eyes all over the world are on Kansas City thanks to our tremendous success, from billions of dollars in investment and industry growth to national sports recognition and global affinity for the KC story. Today, we celebrate our monumental wins while challenging ourselves as an entire region to push for more."
A major 2024 investment included Google, which announced its $1 billion data center in Kansas City, Missouri, in March. In addition to this transformative facility, Google pledged to bring 400 megawatts of new carbon-free energy to the local grid and contribute $100,000 to the North Kansas City School District’s STEAM center, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable growth and educational innovation in the community.
At the KCADC Annual Meeting, global head of economic and community development for Google data centers, Utaukwa Allen, announced the company’s expanded commitment to Kansas City through a new, $120,000 partnership with Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS). The investment is slated to strengthen KCPS’ STEM curriculum, equipping students with the skills needed for impactful careers and a future driven by digital innovation.
“From data centers to investment in STEM education, Google’s commitment transcends infrastructure; our partnerships in Kansas City are vital engines of economic growth and resilience for the region and beyond,” said Allen. “Today, we build on our commitment to nurturing a sustainable, inclusive and economically vibrant environment in Kansas City, ensuring its future workforce is ready to lead in the era of AI.”
Best-selling author and CEO of FutureThink, Lisa Bodell, keynoted the event, sharing her expertise on how simplification boosts success on both an individual and organization level. She shared practical tools to empower attendees on how to maximize efficiencies and focus on the core of meaningful work.
Reflecting on a year marked by significant achievements, Tim Cowden, president & CEO of KCADC, encouraged attendees to embrace a flexible, forward-looking approach to sustain and build upon Kansas City’s momentum.
“Kansas City’s momentum is no accident — it’s the result of our entire region aligning around a shared vision for innovation, resilience and growth,” said Cowden. “By embracing flexibility and the power of collaboration, we’re building a future where Kansas City isn’t just keeping up — it’s leading on a global stage.”
Consistently ranked as a top regional economic development group, KCADC serves as an essential resource for locating businesses and talent to the region. The organization recently received two gold medals at the International Economic Development Council’s Excellence Awards for its annual publication, KC Options Magazine, and “KC Design Draft” campaign.
About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Global Design and KC Heartland. | thinkKC.com