Updates and outcomes from MARC's October Board meetings

The MARC Board heard a variety of updates, including:

• Child care: Greg Kindle, president of the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, spoke about the challenges to accessing quality, affordable child care and its impact on economic development. To increase access, Raising WyCo is bringing together early education, community and business leaders to identify solutions. Mr. Kindle said that many Wyandotte County families spend up to 25% of their income on child care, often costing more than housing.

• Suburban homelessness: The Eastern Jackson County Shared Services Initiative identified homelessness as a common issue that could benefit from collaborative problem-solving across jurisdictions. Staff informed Board members that MARC supported a process to develop a plan and strategies for information-sharing and prevention, such as working with utility providers to keep households from losing services and hiring a homeless coordinator as a shared service across multiple communities. The plan will be distributed once finalized.

• Economic forecast: MARC staff reported that, nationally, the economic recovery continues but the Kansas City region’s economy has begun to lag the nation and most of its peers. Low labor availability is likely part of the reason. The region must attract and retain workers while helping current residents move from lower-paying occupations to high-demand sectors of the economy, according to the forecast.

• 2023 state policy agenda: Board members approved the 2023 state policy agenda, which allows MARC to address specific legislation or state policy proposals that might affect the Kansas City region. The 2023 policy agenda incorporated input from Board members and is aligned with MARC’s focus areas. It includes dozens of key priority regional issues, and issues specific to Missouri and to Kansas. 

• Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee analysis: MARC initiated a third-party organizational review of the RHSCC in response to changing threats since the organization’s formation in 2002. Over 125 stakeholders were engaged in the process. The analysis confirmed the RHSCC is a successful regional model that accommodates engagement and suggested best practices, such as transitioning some standing committees to temporary working groups, codifying term limits and institutionalizing succession plan strategies.

• Digital equity: Board members heard about ongoing efforts to advance digital equity in the region. Staff promoted two upcoming community meetings, held in partnership with the Missouri Office of Broadband Development, to hear from residents about the need for investment in broadband and digital access services in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties. The meetings will be held Nov. 2 and 3.