The City of Kansas City, Mo., Small Business Development Division was created in 1987 as part of the Housing and Community Development. The division now operates under the auspices of the Human Relations Division of the City Manager’s Office. The division’s mission is to stimulate the creation, development and growth of businesses citywide. Keeping in line with that mission, the division is community based and is located in the heart of the city’s historic 18th & Vine District.
The division is a virtual one-stop-shop for comprehensive development support services designed for entrepreneurs who need assistance from a business incubator to grow. From concept to fruition and beyond, aspiring and existing entrepreneurs will find the expertise, knowledge base and professional technicians to assist them through every step of their adventure. Clients receive personalized strategic development plans to ensure the success of their ventures. All division services evolve from these collaborative strategic plans and are specifically dependent on the clients’ needs.
If you are thinking of starting a small business, the division should be your first stop. If you are an existing business, stop by and see what the division can do to help you grow economically strong. The division is fertile ground for growing the City’s small business enterprises.
Program Assets
The Computer Room
The computer room is a training and production facility designed to provide entrepreneurs access to state-of-the-art equipment and software for computerized business management.
The East Wing and West Wing Conference Rooms
If you are looking for a professional location to host a business meeting or give a presentation, you are in luck. Clients will find that the facility offers two excellent meeting spaces. The conference rooms are equipped with a variety of amenities that are sure to accommodate your meeting needs.
The Business Resource Library
The business resource library is a service element created to optimize the time entrepreneurs dedicate to industry research. The library has a collection of more than 200 business start-up guides, nearly 400 books dedicated to entrepreneurial interests and an extensive collection of business related materials, including local newspapers, various magazine subscriptions, software and industry reference guides.
Mediation Services
Mediation is a process of negotiation that is generally used when a dispute exists between two or more parties. Mediation is conducted by an impartial, trained mediator who works with all parties involved in an effort to encourage an agreement that is beneficial to all. The division has two certified mediators available to assist clients with disputes that may be resolved from mediation rather than litigation.
Seminars
The division is now offering a series of business educational seminars at no cost. Each seminar is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge needed to enhance their business concern.
Wireless Internet
Clients, Entrepreneur’s Management Club members and guests of the division now have access to wireless internet service throughout the facility, free of charge. Clients must obtain a pass code from the facilities manager to access the system. The wireless network system supports 802.11g standards. Please contact us for additional information about using the service.
