Kansas City has been home to a number of celebrity artists, designers, performers and athletes. Check out some of our more notable homegrown celebrities.
The KC Heart may be known for its iconic appearance on Charlie Hustle T-shirts and its use in the new Parade of Hearts art campaign, but Kansas City’s love affair with the heart symbol actually began more than a century ago.
According to multiple sources, Halford Mackinder, a British geographer, coined the term heartland in 1904 to refer to the heart of the Eurasian landmass: a strategic center of industry, natural resources and power. The use of the term heartland to apply to the American Midwest became common sometime in the early 20th century, and Kansas City was one of the first Midwestern towns to embrace the idea of being located in the “heart” of America.
The heart soon became an ingrained part of Kansas City culture. Railroad workers wore KC Heart pins in the early 1900s to signify the town they called home. The symbol was later engraved in steel on light poles in the Country Club Plaza shopping district in the ’50s and ’60s.
And when the Kansas City Monarchs Negro Leagues baseball team donned the KC Heart patch on their sleeves, the team’s civic pride was on full display as they went on to achieve championship victory in 1942.
Inspired by the rich heritage of the heart, the Charlie Hustle brand began selling its signature KC Heart T-shirts in 2011. Since then, more than 1 million of the shirts have been worn by people across the globe, including major celebrities, and the heart is world-renowned as the calling card for the entire two-state region.
No, you’re not imagining it: Anti-development and anti-growth sentiments are on the rise nationally. Whether it’s feelings of areas being ‘good as they are,’ overdevelopment concerns or just not trusting local government, 26% of Americans reported actively opposing a new development in a January 2025 Emerson College Polling survey.
In the face of NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard), economic developers must master authentic community engagement, partnerships and public relations like never before. It’s time to rethink our approach and reenergize communities around the opportunities that come with local growth.
Rethinking NIMBYism
The environmental NIMBY resistance to nuclear power plants and landfills of the ‘50s and ‘60s is past. Today, the concerns are more far-reaching and the backyard is larger.
A wider lens: Today’s NIMBY covers public health, social justice and impact on property values.
All about the Backyard: Opposition is not necessarily to the project, housing, retail or otherwise on principle as much as it is location-based.
Who benefits from growth: Community members may not feel a personal benefit to themselves or their community — only the developers’ interests.
More challenging than ever: As public concerns about growth become more organized and vocal, economic developers must rise to the occasion with bold, creative strategies, including persuasive communication.
Reframing the Conversation
Reframing development and growth can be a tall order, but getting the community invested in new housing and retail projects, showing up and participating, can balance out naysayers to shine light on the overall vision. Here’s how:
You have to care first: Consistently show residents, through actions, direct outreach and candid conversations that you care about them and are empathetic to their concerns. All opinions stem from people caring about their community.
Ease friction through open communication: Simplifying confusing project attraction processes turns support and participation into easier asks.
Listen up: Host public work sessions and forums to gauge community sentiment and empower them with information. Use tools, including social media, to shape narratives and counter resistance.
Leaders set the tone: Prep civic leaders with the facts – their visible actions and energy shape the way community members feel about development and growth.
Reenergize your Community
Harnessing local energy and strategic engagement can turn big dreams into real progress.
Identify a community’s rallying point: Identify a shared communal value to use as a foundation for framing the overall benefit to residents.
Make the process enjoyable and inclusive: Invite residents to fall in love with the vision and contribute unique insights.
Activate the power of social media: Give residents tools to engage and champion efforts online. Spreading the long-term benefits to fearful neighbors from the mouths of those they trust the most: each other.
Even anti-growth voices often stem from a desire for a better future. By listening and involving residents and voters, we can build communities ripe for growth — shaped and supported by the people who live there.
Jeanine Jerkovic is the Economic Development Director for Surprise, AZ, bringing new retail and employment opportunities to the community. Connect on LinkedIn.
Ready to turn community resistance into community momentum? The KCADC team and our partners are here to help you navigate local engagement with confidence and clarity. Contact us to learn more.
San Francisco, CA – October 28, 2025 – Lambda, the Superintelligence Cloud, today announced it is planning to transform an unoccupied 2009-built facility in Kansas City, Missouri, into a state-of-the-art AI Factory.
This Kansas City deployment is part of Lambda’s mission to build the infrastructure backbone for the Superintelligence era. Under the agreement, Lambda is planning to develop and operate the facility as the sole tenant. The site is expected to launch in early 2026 with 24MW of capacity, and the potential to scale up to more than 100MW in the future.
“Missouri is proud to welcome Lambda as they create new, high-quality jobs and strengthen our state’s technology and innovation ecosystem,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Their decision to grow here demonstrates the confidence that leading companies have in our people, our infrastructure, and our pro-business environment. It’s been said that AI is the space race of our time, and we must win. Data centers are the future and critical to our continued ability to drive technological innovation, strengthen our economy, and safeguard our national security interests. Partnerships like this ensure Missouri remains at the forefront of America’s winning strategy.”
“Our Kansas City development perfectly embodies Lambda’s strategy: a prime location for our customers, an accelerated deployment timeline, and an unwavering commitment to on-time delivery,” said Ken Patchett, VP of Datacenter Infrastructure at Lambda. “We believe this success stems from completely rethinking how AI factories should be built and operated.”
Building big, shipping fast
When the facility launches in early 2026, it will initially feature more than 10,000 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs—a footprint expected to double over time. The supercomputer is dedicated to a single Lambda customer for large-scale AI training and inference, under a multi-year agreement.
“Today in Kansas City, we are building the infrastructure to capitalize on AI’s boom,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “An investment of this scale in the Northland highlights our city’s strength in technology, innovation, and job creation, and brings an empty asset back to life through creative reuse.”
The project enables Lambda to repurpose unused power and transform a formerly advanced data center into an AI-ready, future-proofed facility.
“Choosing Kansas City, Missouri, for a next-generation AI data center sends a clear message: Missouri is the tech leader in the center of the country,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “We applaud Lambda for building an AI factory in the heart of the U.S. This is a generational investment that will expand opportunity for Missourians and accelerate the digital economy.”
“This investment from Lambda showcases the Kansas City region’s ability to creatively reimagine assets and attract transformative investment,” said Tim Cowden, President and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council. “Data centers are critical to powering the innovation economy, and Kansas City wields the strength of infrastructure, reliable power, and a deep IT talent pool that continues to draw leading technology companies to the region.”
“Lambda’s investment in the Kansas City area emphasizes our state’s growing strength in technology and innovation,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. “DED is proud to support future-focused projects like this that enhance our workforce, drive sustainable growth across the region, and create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.”
This project was made through many local partners in Kansas City including the State of Missouri, Missouri Dept. of Economic Development, Missouri Partnership, Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), Platte County EDC, City of Kansas City, Mo., Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Mo., Port KC, Evergy, Spire, Inc., KC Tech Council, Russell Construction, Henderson Engineers, U.S. Engineering, and Capital Electric.
About Lambda
Lambda, The Superintelligence Cloud, builds gigawatt-scale AI factories for training and inference. From prototyping to serving billions of users in production, we build the underlying infrastructure that powers AI. Lambda was founded in 2012 by published AI engineers.
Lambda’s mission is to make compute as ubiquitous as electricity and give everyone in America the power of superintelligence. One person, One GPU.
Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements about the company and its business, including its expectations regarding data center capacity, based on management’s beliefs, assumptions, and expectations. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” and “will,” or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
The sold-out event united more than 2,000 civic and business leaders who support Kansas City’s regional growth and rising global influence
KANSAS CITY – Oct. 30, 2025 – Today, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) hosted its 2025 Annual Meeting, the KC region’s largest yearly business gathering, convening leaders from across the 18-county, two-state area.
The event’s theme, “We Are OneKC,” emphasized the message of regional unity, positioning the two states and 50+ communities in the greater Kansas City metro as a single, integrated economic region to drive collective success.
In 2025, KCADC and its partners attracted global companies to the region, driving $1.3 billion in capital investment, 3,197 net new jobs and nearly $275 million in wages. The KC region has attracted headliner companies in fintech, animal health and receives continued investment in major tech and data center projects.
A major 2025 investment highlight came from Fiserv, a global leader in payments and financial services technology. Fiserv continues to build deeper connections across the Kansas City region following their plans to establish a new strategic fintech hub in Overland Park, Kansas, bringing 2,000 new jobs and $175 million in capital investment.
“Fiserv is thrilled to join a collaborative and innovative community of professionals in the Kansas City region,” said Joanne Sebby, Chief Risk Officer for Fiserv. “As we evaluated locations across the country, the Kansas City region stood out for its strong spirit of partnership, depth of talent and rising growth. This is the perfect launchpad for our next chapter of fintech innovation.”
The event also spotlighted the region’s leadership in animal health, celebrating Merck Animal Health’s decision to invest $895 million in the Kansas City region earlier this year.
“Merck Animal Health’s decision is a powerful reflection of what we achieve when we work together as OneKC,” said Rob Bratcher, president of Commerce Bank and KCADC senior board co-chair. “It reinforces the Kansas City region’s position as the global leader in animal health innovation — and showcases the strength of a region that collaborates, competes and wins together.”
Best-selling author and co-producer on the Emmy-nominated show “The Bear,” Will Guidara, keynoted the event, inspiring KC’s business and civic leaders to think bigger — embracing radical generosity, intentionality and the unexpected. His message was a timely and critical one as KC prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 26™.
Reflecting on a year marked by significant achievements, Tim Cowden, president & CEO of KCADC, encouraged attendees to embrace our singularity as OneKC.
“Kansas City’s success has always been rooted in our ability to work as one region, all aligning around a shared vision for growth,” said Cowden. “This unified approach has built a market that’s robust and resilient, increasingly recognized on a global stage. Together, we’ve positioned KC as a place where innovation thrives, businesses grow and collaboration drives results. KC is rising; the world is taking notice.”
The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) is the region’s leading economic development organization, representing 18 counties across Kansas and Missouri. Consistently ranked as a top regional economic development group, KCADC drives business investment and talent attraction to strengthen the KC region’s global competitiveness.
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. | onekc.org
New board members from Boehringer Ingelheim, Dechra and Elanco bring deep expertise, bold vision to region’s animal health cluster
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – June 11, 2025 – The KC Animal Health Corridor has announced three new additions to its board of directors: Fiona Rey, Elanco Animal Health; Dr. Fatou Sow, Boehringer Ingelheim; and Dr. Jill Stohs, Dechra. Their appointments were formalized during the Corridor’s June 9 board meeting and come at a pivotal moment of momentum for the region’s globally-recognized animal health industry.
With deep industry experience and forward-thinking leadership, the new board members reflect the strength and diversity of the Corridor’s influence — a collective representing the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies.
Fiona Rey, executive director of U.S. customer experience: revenue growth management | launch and marketing ops at Elanco Animal Health, is known for transforming business operations and launching breakthrough products that shape the future of animal health. Since joining Elanco in 2018, Rey has led global product launches, revived critical business units and introduced first-in-class treatments to market.
Dr. Fatou Sow, head of U.S. global innovation & immunology research at Boehringer Ingelheim, brings more than 15 years of experience leading R&D, manufacturing and global partnerships across the animal health industry, driving strategy focused on immune-mediated diseases in companion animals. Sow has held leadership roles at Novartis, Elanco and Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Medicine Belgium, and actively supports the development of scientists and emerging industry leaders.
Dr. Jill Stohs, senior director of veterinary professional services & medical affairs at Dechra, brings a career rooted in hands-on veterinary care, technical expertise and medical education. Trained at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Stohs now leads a team of more than 40 veterinary professionals across the country. She is a passionate advocate for elevating veterinary science through education, mentorship and service.
“The new additions to our board are bold, strategic thinkers who exemplify the kind of leadership that’s driving the next era of animal health,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Their perspectives will help ensure the KC Animal Health Corridor remains not just the industry’s largest cluster, but its most dynamic and future-ready.”
Representing more than half of the global animal health industry’s sales and home to over 300 animal health companies, the KC Animal Health Corridor is the largest concentration of its kind worldwide. Anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, the Corridor serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. | kcanimalhealth.com
Expansion further establishes KC region as global leader in animal health
DE SOTO, Kan. – May 8, 2025 – Merck Animal Health, a leading biopharmaceutical company, today announced plans to invest $895 million in the expansion of its biologics facility in De Soto, Kansas.
One of the most significant economic development projects in Kansas history and the largest to date for Merck Animal Health, the 200,000-square-foot expansion includes an $860 million investment in the site’s existing manufacturing facility and a $35 million investment in its research and development laboratories.
The project reinforces the Kansas City region’s position as the center of the global animal health industry, building on its long-standing network strength and strategic advantages in innovation.
“Our De Soto manufacturing facility is strategically located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor. This region is renowned for its concentration of animal health companies, fostering an unparalleled ecosystem for innovation, collaboration and industry leadership,” said Richard DeLuca, president of Merck Animal Health. “This investment in our site is designed to increase Merck Animal Health’s ability to meet the growing customer demand for its portfolio of animal biologics products and ensure the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the animal health sector. This initiative also reflects our dedication to advancing animal health and our on-going investment in the communities where we operate.”
Site preparation and facility design will begin immediately, with 2,500 construction jobs expected to support site development. The expansion will create more than 200 new full-time roles when manufacturing operations begin in 2030.
“This extraordinary investment by Merck Animal Health underscores my administration’s commitment to securing a strong economic future for our state and ensuring prosperity for generations to come,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Public-private partnerships that lead to major global projects, such as those with Merck, Fiserv and Panasonic — just to name a few recent successes — are occurring because people believe in Kansas. They believe in who we are, what we are doing and the direction we have taken.”
The new manufacturing facility will expand filling and freeze dryer capacity for large-molecule vaccines and biologic products for Merck Animal Health. As a designated Center of Excellence, it will play a key role in Merck Animal Health’s global manufacturing network while building on its decades-long legacy in the region.
“Merck has been a valued part of the De Soto community for over 20 years, and this $895 million expansion is a remarkable vote of confidence in our city’s future. We’re proud that Merck has chosen to grow right here at home — bringing 200 new jobs to our community and further strengthening a facility that has already played such an important role in our local economy,” said De Soto Mayor Rick Walker. “This is a true success story: we’ve not only retained a major employer, but we’ve helped create the conditions for their continued growth. It’s exactly the kind of outcome we work toward—keeping and expanding the businesses that make De Soto a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Merck’s De Soto campus is strategically located within the KC Animal Health Corridor — the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies, home to more than 300 businesses representing 56% of global animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales.
“This announcement reaffirms what we’ve long known — the Animal Health Corridor is where global leaders come to grow,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Merck Animal Health’s expansion in De Soto is more than a vote of confidence — it’s a signal to the world that this region is built for ambitious, industry-defining work.”
The project includes a major expansion of Merck’s research and development laboratories, further strengthening the company’s global leadership in parasiticide and therapeutics development, and deepening its roots in the De Soto community.
“Merck has been not only a great corporate citizen, but an integral economic engine in De Soto for the past 25 years. We are so pleased Merck has chosen to reinvest in our community and are committed to doing so well into the future,” said Tim Holverson, president of the De Soto Kansas Chamber of Commerce & EDC. “De Soto has shown they can deliver the workforce talent and values the economic partnership that has made this a true economic development success story.”
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Representing more than half of the global animal health industry’s sales, and home to over 300 animal health companies, the KC Animal Health Corridor is the largest concentration of its kind worldwide. Anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, the Corridor serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. | kcanimalhealth.com
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 Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.com
Congratulations to our partners in Overland Park, Kansas, on Fiserv’s selection of the Aspiria Campus for its new strategic fintech hub.
The largest office project recruitment in Kansas City history, the Fortune 500 company’s planned $175 million capital investment is projected to create 2,000 jobs in its initial phase.
The Fortune 500 company’s new strategic hub brings 2,000 jobs, long-term investment and industry innovation to Overland Park’s Aspiria campus
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – April 21, 2025 – Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a global leader in payments and financial services technology, has announced plans to establish a new strategic fintech hub in Overland Park, Kansas, bringing 2,000 new jobs and a projected $6.5 billion economic impact over the next decade.
The company will invest $175 million to renovate two buildings on the Aspiria campus at 6500 and 6550 Sprint Parkway. Spanning 427,000 square feet, the new strategic hub is the largest office project ever recruited from outside the market and marks a major milestone in the Kansas City region’s rise as a national tech and fintech leader.
“We are thrilled to expand our U.S. footprint, bringing our people together to drive innovation on behalf of our clients,” said Frank Bisignano, chairman and chief executive officer of Fiserv. “The greater Kansas City Metro area offers a dynamic environment with a growing population of tech talent, making it the ideal location for Fiserv’s next strategic fintech hub. Working with local and state leaders, we are committed to driving growth and prosperity for both Fiserv and Kansas while contributing to the vibrancy of the Overland Park community.”
“Fiserv’s new strategic hub in Overland Park is a significant step forward as we continue to elevate Kansas to new heights,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “Fiserv will create high-value career options including opportunities for military personnel transitioning to civilian life and graduates of our higher education system.”
Fiserv’s decision to grow in the Kansas City region underscores the metro’s strength in financial services and technology, as well as its ability to attract and retain high-caliber talent. The company plans to offer an average salary of $102,000 at the new hub and anticipates up to $4 billion in payroll investment over the next 10 years.
The new office will join a growing list of innovation centers across the country for Fiserv, including locations in Alpharetta, Milwaukee, Omaha, Berkeley Heights and New York City. The Kansas City region was selected based on its central location, high quality of life and concentration of financial and tech talent — all key to Fiserv’s hub strategy focused on collaboration and innovation.
“Overland Park is already a strong hub for business and technology leadership, and Fiserv is a natural fit in our community,” said Overland Park Mayor Skoog. “The thousands of jobs Fiserv brings, along with the potential to serve neighboring businesses within our thriving community, is a significant win. I look forward to welcoming Fiserv leadership and their employees to our city.”
“This historic investment is another example of a major company choosing to invest here and solidifies Johnson County as the economic engine of the metro region and the State of Kansas,” said Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners.
The new strategic hub will also serve as a career engine for the local community, offering high-value opportunities to graduates of regional higher education institutions and to veterans transitioning to civilian careers.
“Fiserv’s investment is monumental — and so is the Kansas City region’s ability to deliver,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “With a fast-growing tech sector, a deep pipeline of financial services talent and a business community that works as one, Kansas City has the capacity and competitiveness to meet this moment. There’s no better proof that Kansas City is winning than a global fintech leader choosing KC over markets like Nashville, Dallas and Atlanta. Our market is arriving, and the rest of the country is taking notice.”
“Fiserv’s significant investment and job creation reflect the strength of our community, the vibrancy of our local economy and confidence in our community’s future,” said Tracey Osborne Oltjen, president & CEO of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. “The high-paying jobs and innovation this project brings will amplify our strong fintech sector and have a lasting, positive impact throughout the region. We’re proud to have partnered with Overland Park city leaders, the Kansas Department of Commerce and KCADC to make this project possible.”
Fiserv is expected to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Overland Park facility, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability. Amenities at the Aspiria campus will support employee well-being, including fitness, dining and collaborative spaces — all aimed at attracting the region’s top tech talent.
“Fiserv selecting the Aspiria campus for a strategic employment hub further adds to the already thriving technology ecosystem in the Kansas City region,” said Chad Stafford, president of Occidental Management. “We are pleased to have played a part in bringing Fiserv’s long-term commitment to the community, where we believe we have a top-notch experiential environment to help attract the very best professional talent in the Midwest.”
About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.
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. | onekc.com
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of successful project management in economic development, where sensitive negotiations, competitive positioning and stakeholder trust are paramount. Managing confidential projects effectively ensures smooth execution, preventing premature disclosures and safeguarding long-term success.
In the Kansas City region, KCADC and its partners collaborate to uphold strict confidentiality. Protecting sensitive details strengthens stakeholder relationships and positions Kansas City as a premier destination for business growth.
Bottom line – confidentiality can make or break a project. Use these strategies to stay ahead:
1. Build a Culture of Trust
Confidential projects require a reliable team that understands the importance of discretion.
Communicate consistently with your internal team and partners on the importance of upholding confidentiality agreements, ensuring a unified approach to sensitive discussions.
Specify confidentiality protocols in your organization’s policies.
Host regular training for employees on compliance.
2. Set Expectations Early with NDAs
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are critical for setting expectations among all stakeholders.
Define what information is confidential, how it will be accessed and with whom it can be shared.
Establish clear terms on information handling post-project completion.
Reduce unnecessary NDAs — broad agreements with a single authorized signer streamlines the process.
3. Understand Public Records Laws
Failure to manage public records laws correctly can compromise confidentiality.
Generally, if a public entity retains information, it is presumed to be open unless an exemption applies.
Kansas has 55 exemptions, while Missouri has 26.
Use careful discretion when sending confidential or sensitive information to recipients or from email domains subject to KORA or Missouri Sunshine Law.
4. Maintain Confidentiality Throughout the Project Lifecycle
To protect the integrity of a project, it’s essential to keep sensitive details confidential until the right moment.
Keep in mind that confidentiality agreements extend beyond an individual’s tenure in office.
Keep discussions on a “need-to-know” basis to minimize risks.
Consistently use assigned project code names and avoid revealing company information in written or verbal communications.
Advise visiting clients to refrain from wearing branded clothing or using branded supplies.
Engage with the client to understand their confidentiality plans for the public submittal documents phase of the project, as applicant information and email domains are common sources of breaches.
5. Leverage Confidentiality for Competitive Advantage
Well-managed confidentiality can be a differentiator in winning projects.
Securely handle real estate site selection and incentive negotiations to protect sensitive information.
Protecting project confidentiality can prevent market speculation that drives up development expenses.
6. Prepare for Public Scrutiny and Activism
Effective stakeholder engagement and strategic messaging can help mitigate opposition while keeping the project on track.
Large projects, such as data centers and manufacturing facilities, often attract public scrutiny.
Proactively educate the community on the benefits of a project of desired size and scope, from job creation to economic impact.
Transparency about positive outcomes can counteract NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) opposition.
Limiting access to confidential information helps control messaging and reduce leaks.
7. Audit and Improve Confidentiality Processes
Regularly review and refine confidentiality policies.
Ensure all stakeholders understand legal requirements and align on confidentiality expectations.
Leverage insights from past projects to improve future confidentiality management.
Mastering confidential project management is a win-win for stakeholders and community partners alike. By building trust, setting clear expectations, understanding legal frameworks and proactively managing information, economic development professionals can successfully navigate complex projects while maintaining integrity and confidentiality.
Ready to take your projects to the next level? The KCADC team and our partners specialize in guiding projects with discretion and expertise. Connect with us to learn more.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult your legal counsel for guidance specific to your situation.
The Australian animal health intelligence company revolutionizes animal performance welfare and location monitoring with direct-to-satellite technology
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – January 29, 2025 – Ceres Tag, an Australian leader in direct-to-satellite animal monitoring technology, announced today the establishment of its North American headquarters at the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park, Kansas. The move further strengthens the Kansas City region as a hub for animal health technology and innovation.
Ceres Tag’s groundbreaking technology involves durable, solar-charged smart monitoring sensors that can be attached to wildlife or livestock. The company offers insights previously unavailable to farmers, ranchers and wildlife managers to improve productivity, profits and conservation. By delivering plug-and-play solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing software systems, Ceres Tag empowers a variety of end-users with a scalable and less-intrusive approach to animal monitoring, boosting productivity and profitability.
“The Kansas City region was the clear choice for our North American headquarters,” said David Smith, founder and CEO of Ceres Tag. “This region offers the perfect environment to grow our presence and deliver our groundbreaking technology — poised to transform animal health science for businesses across North America.”
Ceres Tag’s new office will initially support four to six employees, with additional sales representatives positioned strategically across the United States. The company’s arrival is expected to pave the way for more technological innovators established in Australia to land in the KC market.
Supporting a New Generation of Animal Health Professionals
Young animal health professionals, digital natives with a heightened focus on animal welfare, represent a key demographic for Ceres Tag’s technology. By improving market access and providing unprecedented insights into animal health and performance, Ceres Tag equips ranchers, farmers and more with the tools they need to adapt to evolving industry demands and ensure optimized solutions for their own businesses and customers.
A Strategic Addition to the KC Animal Health Corridor
Located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor – the largest hub of animal health industry assets in the world – the KC region offers an unparalleled concentration of animal health innovation and a thriving network of more than 300 established companies.
“Ceres Tag’s investment in our region reinforces our global reputation as a leader in animal health innovation,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “Representing 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales, the Animal Health Corridor is home to some of the most cutting-edge technology in our industry, and we’re thrilled to welcome Ceres Tag to our robust network.”
Collaboration Opportunities
With the establishment of its North American headquarters, Ceres Tag is actively seeking partnerships with businesses across the animal health sector to enhance insights and improve customer outcomes. Interested organizations can learn more by visiting cerestag.com.
About Ceres Tag
Ceres Tag is a pioneering Australian company specializing in direct-to-satellite animal monitoring technology. The company’s innovative solutions provide real-time tracking and data analytics for livestock and wildlife, enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainability in the agriculture and conservation sectors. | cerestag.com
About the KC Animal Health Corridor
Representing more than half of the global animal health industry’s sales and home to over 300 animal health companies, the KC Animal Health Corridor is the largest concentration of its kind worldwide. Anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, the Corridor serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. | kcanimalhealth.com
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 Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.org
