Every community in the United States today is faced with an economic reality that challenges all assumptions, plans, and expectations of just a few years ago. Whether the "new normal" is merely a useful descriptor for our current state of affairs or a prescient forecast of our future, moving forward from this position will take time and will be difficult. In the face of uncertainty, communities must be willing to take bold action to keep building better communities.

The leaders of the city of Kansas City, Missouri are thinking anew about the city and region's competitive advantages, role, purpose, structure, future, and how a stronger City of Kansas City can benefit the region as a whole.

At the same time, the city's leadership has recognized the need for a comprehensive local strategy to tie together current efforts, identify visionary, aggressive new initiatives, and provide the framework needed to increase the economic competitiveness and livability of the city of Kansas City, Missouri. To that end, the city has retained Market Street Services to help coordinate the development of a long-range economic development strategy for the city. The process has been branded AdvanceKC.

Upon completion, the city of Kansas City will have a consensus blueprint for positive change that will guide public and private investment and decision-making for years to come. Ultimately, AdvanceKC will be the community's plan and will offer strategies to address the city's top competitive challenges and opportunities.

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