When it comes to starting a business, location is often a key consideration. Starting a snow removal service in Buffalo is probably a no-brainer, and if you want to be the next big thing in entertainment you might consider starting a production company in Atlanta. But some cities are great places to start a business because they’re great places to do business–and live. Kansas City is a midwestern city that doesn’t get a lot of national media attention. But it’s a great place to start a business, and here are four reasons why.
Low Cost of Living
When opening a business the cost of living in the city you operate is something you probably want to keep in mind. After all, you’ll probably be living there in addition to doing business there. And the same costs that go into your day-to-day living expenses will have an effect on the operating expenses of your business.
The cost of living in Kansas City is below the national average of cities in the United States. This means that things like rent, utilities, and health care will be cheaper. And these are all things that come to bear when you’re operating a business. You might not have a lot of money when you start your business, so it’s a good idea to be in a place where you can keep expenses down.
Strong Sense of Community
People sometimes fail to consider the overall atmosphere or feeling of a place they choose to do business in. That’s probably because the way a place feels can be subjective. Still, if a good number of people are saying the same thing about a city or place there may be some validity in what they’re saying.
Kansas City has a reputation of being a big city that feels like a small town. It’s a place known for being relatively friendly. This might have something to do with the fact that Kansas City doesn’t get as much attention as other big midwestern cities such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. That could be where Kansas City’s we’re-in-this-together attitude comes from.
Growing Tech Hub Status
Austin and San Francisco aren’t the only tech hubs around. More and more cities are getting in on the tech startup action and Kansas City is one of them. Kansas City SEO companies and software companies are among the many tech businesses that are finding a home in Kansas City. People have even begun referring to the area as part of the Silicon Prairie.
Google Fiber, a service that provides high-speed internet access, was first implemented in Kansas City. And the city council just approved plans for an enormous data center, although the project will take several years to complete. It’s estimated that there are about 4,000 tech or tech-related companies in the Kansas City area.
A Reborn Downtown
A city’s downtown is important because in many ways it’s the heart of the city. For years Kansas City’s downtown struggled to attract businesses and residents, but things began to change as an influx of startups and younger people breathed new life into the area. The city itself has invested more than $2 billion in the downtown area in an attempt to attract people and businesses.
The Power and Light District, home of the T-Mobile Center, is one of the main draws of downtown Kansas City. In addition to the massive entertainment venue, the Power and Light District has an impressive array of restaurants, shops, and other attractions that has made the neighborhood one of the most popular in the city.
Final Thoughts
Kansas City might not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re thinking about starting a business, but the city has several things going for it. The cost of living is low, there’s a strong sense of community, it’s a growing tech hub, and it has a downtown that has been revitalized. If you’re starting a business and you want to be in a place where you feel welcome and secure, it sounds like Kansas City might be the perfect place for you.
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