The Case for Sports, Arts, and Small Business
by Sue Mosby

The yard signs are sprouting throughout the metropolitan area, urging us to “Think BIG. Vote YES on County Question 1!”
On November 2, I’ll be doing just that…and here’s why. 

County Question 1 would renovate Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums, support construction of the new Performing Arts Center and provide funding for our arts and cultural organizations.

The stadiums are 32 years old. While the “bowls” are fantastic places to watch a Chiefs or Royals game, the stadiums need expanded concourses, larger restrooms, more concessions. If you’ve been to any of the new stadiums around the country, you’ve seen the difference. We’re fortunate to be able to renovate these two structures, rather than have to tear them down and start from scratch.

In return, both the Chiefs and Royals have committed to stay in Kansas City through the year 2030. They’ve also committed to paying $65 million toward the renovation, as well as taking care of any construction cost overruns.

The $50 million for the Performing Arts Center is a wise investment, leveraging $250 million in private funds. It will provide a state-of-the-art performance venue for our community. The Moshe Safdie-designed structure will transform the landscape south of the Downtown loop and contribute much to the resurgence already underway in that area.

As an arts lover, I’m particularly excited about the new funding the proposal will bring to our arts organizations. Greater Kansas City’s public expenditure for arts is currently less than $1 per capita. In contrast, St. Louis and Denver spend over $15 per capita. County Question 1 will provide dollars to make arts and culture more accessible, and will expand arts education and youth programs.

That’s the case proponents are making for County Question 1. But even if I never again attend a game, or the ballet, theater, or concert, I would still be a strong supporter for two reasons:  economics and quality of life.

The Chiefs and Royals have an annual economic impact locally of over $300 million, supporting over 4,400 direct, indirect and tourism jobs. The two teams draw 847,000 visitors annually from outside the metro area, and those visitors spend $100 million plus a year.

Another 1.2 million visitors come to Kansas City to participate in arts activities. And arts organizations are an important component of the area economy, with a direct economic impact of $281 million a year and more than 4,500 jobs.

A lot of small businesses serve as vendors to the teams and to our arts organizations. Hundreds more benefit from the tourists they bring.
There’s more. As a small business owner, I know the need for a vibrant quality of life, and I know that bright, hard-working people are a precious commodity. Today’s workers have the ability to live and work where they want. As a community, we have to offer the amenities and lifestyle that employees—and major employers—are looking for. Arts and major league sports bring that to our community.

For all these reasons, I urge you to “Think BIG”…and vote “yes” on County Question 1.

Sue Mosby is the Vice Chair for Small Business of the Greater KC Chamber and the president and CEO of Infinium.