Kansas City Economic Development (China)
Total Project Hours by Students on Project: 287
Total Students Involved on Project: 17
Needs Assessment:
- Stagnant Kansas City Economy: Highlighted by a mere 1% job growth rate this year.
- Identified international trade as a catalyst for the Kansas City economy through a partnership with Councilman Scott Wagner and the City Council.
Taking Action:
- Developed marketing program for City Council of Kansas City promoting the major industries in Kansas City: Agriculture, Engineering, and Animal Health Science.
- Focused on Changsha, a Chinese city with trade needs compatible with Kansas City’s major industries.
- Leveraged relationships UMKC Enactus has built over the past 6 years in China.
- Presented Kansas City business opportunities to Chinese executive decision makers at the Changsha Federation of Industry & Commerce, the Changsha People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Executive Director of the High Tech Park.
- Presented to current and future tourism industry leaders on the opportunities Kansas City presents.
- Conducted workshops with hundreds of future business leaders from 15 Chinese universities.
Outcomes:
- Additional requests from the High Tech Park and Changsha Federation of Industry and Commerce for UMKC Enactus to speak to their members next year.
- Trade agreement signed on 1/15/2015 between Changsha City Government and City of Kansas City, Missouri.
- Received an offer of 3 free years of office space in the Changsha High Tech Park for 3 American companies.
- Scheduled a trade summit between Kansas City and China to be held in Kansas City in the fall of 2016.
- Business partnerships forming between Kansas City businesses and those in China.
- 64% of the university students stated they would feel more comfortable doing business in Kansas City after our presentation.
Media:
http://stuorgs.umkc.edu/enactus/chinaproject/