The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Presents First ‘Big 5′ Update

By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor

The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce has released the first “Big 5” Update. As previously reported, the “Big 5” is a list of initiatives that will be the focus of the region in the coming years. Each initiative has “champions” attributed to them, who are responsible for bringing in other people to help devise and implement the tactical milestones necessary to achieve success. Let’s have a look at how things have progressed:

1. The World’s Symposium on Animal Health – Champion: Gary Forsee. September 2014 is the date chosen for the first global symposium on animal health. Animal Health Corridor-based companies have contributed with guidance and leading Kansas City area companies are being contacted for support.

2. The Urban Core Neighborhood Initiative – Co-Champions: Terry Dunn, president & CEO, JE Dunn. The steering committee has hired a project manager and, following extensive research and interaction with the local community, will announce in late February the first neighborhood to be revitalized. The report indicates the neighborhood will be ast of Troost Avenue.

3. The Making of America’s Most Entrepreneurial City – Champion: Peter deSilva, Chairman & CEO, UMB Bank. A project manager has been hired and, while the needs of local entrepreneurs are being identified, a partnership is being forged between UMKC’s Bloch School of Management and the Kauffman Foundation.

4. The KC Regional Translational Research Institute – Champion: Dr. Patrick James, Sr. Managing Partner, Quest Diagnostics; Chair, KC Area Life Sciences Institute. At the annual dinner on April 10 of the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute a leader in the field was booked to speak and a symposium on translational research has been planned for May.

5. The New UMKC Downtown Conservatory – Champion: Leo Morton, Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City. The results of ongoing feasibility studies will be announced in the next several weeks. The studies will show cost estimates for the relocation as well as highlight potential downtown properties. The study will also show the impact of the move upon the UMKC’s Volker and Hospital Hill campuses.