Kansas City business leaders are pushing to renew the sports stadium sales tax, saying small businesses will suffer if the tax isn't renewed. Commercial banker Jason Carter Solomon believes a stadium in downtown Kansas City would create synergies that would improve economic activity and increase funding for small businesses. “Right now, with 80 games a year played at Kauffman Stadium, we are losing a lot of money in economic activity,” Carter-Solomon said. He also believes that while a taxpayer-supported downtown stadium may seem expensive, it could bring significant economic benefits to the community. “We haven't caught anything at this point,” he said. Carter-Solomon said team owners are also committed to providing positive returns for taxpayers. “They love Kansas City and really want to see the team do well,” he said. “They want to see Kansas City succeed.'' 10 business groups released a statement supporting the vote: On Friday night, 10 business and community groups released a statement supporting the vote: KC ChamberThe Civil Council of Greater Kansas City:KC Sports Commission:Downtown Council of Kansas CityGreater Kansas CityADCCommunity Builders of Kansas CityHeartland Black Chamber of CommerceGreater Kansas City's Hispanic Chamber of CommerceGreater Kansas City's Negro Leagues Baseball MuseumGreater Kansas City's Urban League The sales tax extension provides that the Chiefs and Royals will not increase taxes and will instead save hundreds of millions of dollars.'' The county is clearly committed to strong community benefit agreements and will continue to do so for decades to come. It can have a transformative economic impact on our communities over many years,” the statement said.
Kansas City business leaders are pushing to renew the sports stadium sales tax, saying small businesses will suffer if the tax isn't renewed.
Commercial banker Jason Carter Solomon believes a stadium in downtown Kansas City would create synergies that would improve economic activity and increase funding for small businesses.
“Right now, with 80 games a year played at Kauffman Stadium, we are losing a lot of money in economic activity,” Carter-Solomon said.
He also believes that while a taxpayer-supported downtown stadium may seem expensive, it could bring significant economic benefits to the community.
“We haven't caught anything at this point,” he said. “It will have lasting benefits for the community.”
Carter-Solomon said team owners are also committed to providing positive returns for taxpayers.
“They love Kansas City and really want to see the team do well,” he said. “They want to see Kansas City succeed.”
Ten business organizations issue statements supporting the vote:
On Friday night, 10 business and community groups released statements supporting the vote.
- KC chamber
- Kansas Metropolitan City Council:
- KC Sports Commission:
- Kansas City Downtown Council
- Greater Kansas City ADC
- Kansas City Community Builder
- Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce
- Kansas Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Negro League Baseball Museum of Greater Kansas City
- Kansas City Urban League
“Extending the sales tax means the Chief and Crown will not increase taxes and instead save hundreds of millions of dollars for counties, clearly commit to strong community benefits agreements, and provide transformative economic benefits to our communities.” “It stipulates that it can make a difference and will continue to do so for decades to come,” the statement said.
