Updates and outcomes from MARC's September Board meetings

Oct 10, 2025
| Posted in
News
The Museum at Prairiefire in Overland Park, Kansas, features a colorful entrance.

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on Sept. 23. We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations.


Board of Directors meeting

Early learning resources

MARC partners with the Missouri Early Connections program to make it easier for families and professionals to navigate the state’s early care and education system. As part of this work, childhood community leaders are working statewide to ensure families with young children have access to high-quality programs and resources. These leaders also coordinate local services and contribute to a statewide resource website.

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Material recovery plan

The MARC Solid Waste Management District concluded a two-year regional planning process to develop a solid waste plan for the region. The planning process was transformative in that it created a focus on improving material recovery and launching strategies for economic growth through recovered materials. Next steps will be exploring local community-based reuse and repair hubs, expansion of recycling to underserved rural areas, local government engagement to utilize used tires in asphalt paving, and economic growth for the region with new and expanded business opportunities to collect, process, build and manufacture with recovered materials.   

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State policy agenda

Each year, Board members adopt a state policy agenda that allows MARC to address specific legislation or proposed rules that might affect the Kansas City region. The draft 2025 policy agendas for Missouri and Kansas include priorities such as local government authority and investment in transportation, housing, child care and older adult services. The Board will vote on the policy agendas in October. 

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New public sector jobs board

MARC is launching a new career website to serve as a central hub for public service job postings across member jurisdictions. This site will also feature career stories, highlight employers and offer resources for those interested in public sector careers as part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen workforce pipelines. Preview the site here: kcgovjobs.org.

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Housing network mapping

The Board approved a project to equip the Regional Housing Partnership (RHP), supported by MARC and LISC Kansas City, with a data mapping and learning platform to track and connect various housing organizations in the metro. This initiative with Visible Network Labs will help inform and engage a wide range of stakeholders, including agencies, developers, neighborhood leaders and civic officials. Board members authorized $74,000 from the Bloch Family Foundation to fund project management, design, data analysis, reporting and subscriptions to the platform for MARC staff.

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Budget and Personnel Committee meeting

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Sept. 23, attendees took the following actions:

Air quality planning and education

MARC has served as the official air quality planning organization for the Kansas and Missouri metro area since 1978, coordinating local input for state air quality implementation plans as required by federal law. MARC’s responsibilities include coordination, planning, technical analysis and public education on air quality but do not extend to regulatory authority. Committee members authorized MARC to receive annual planning funds from Kansas and Missouri in the amount of $110,960 to support these efforts, including the 2026 air quality public education campaign and clean air action plan implementation.

Double Up Food Bucks funding

To help ensure families have access to healthy produce, the committee approved an application for and acceptance of $400,000 from the Patterson Family Foundation to support the Double Up Food Bucks Program. As reported in August, a USDA program officer indicated reconsideration of MARC’s previously denied 2024 proposal for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, contingent on confirming a 50% match. Most funders agreed to match or increase their commitments, and the Patterson Family Foundation approved the grant in September, in addition to its earlier $100,000 support. The new funds will be used to support costs for incentives at farmers markets and grocery stores within the foundation’s catchment areas.
 

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