Toellner Tells it

Forbes Names Kansas City 13th Most Affordable City

Forbes named Kansas City the 13th most affordable city in the U.S. KC ranked 12th in asking price, 30th in salaries, 13th in cost of living and 25th in unemployment. 

Many Midwestern cities were leaders in affordability -- with Omaha taking the #1 spot. Buffalo, NY was numBer 2.

Other Midwest cities like Indianapolis (4), Minneapolis (7), Cincinnati (5), Cleveland (8), Columbus (12) and Oklahoma City (9) also finished ahead of KC.

Kansas City could move up the list with an increase in job growth -- particularly in the Jackson County part of KCMO where job growth has been negative over the past decade.  But the easy availability of affordable housing and relatively low unemployment makes KC a pretty affordable place to live....which, if sold to potential out-of-the area businesses, who rely on attracting employees who want to live an affordable lifestyle.

UMB CEO Mariner Kemper featured in USA Today

UMB Financial CEO J. Mariner Kemper is featured in today's issue of USA Today -- along with his cousin, David Kemper -- of Commerce Bank.

Together, the two cousins run 2 of the top 3 banks in the United States based on Forbes Magazine's 2009 rankings (Bank of Hawaii is #1).  Over the years, the two banks have made smart financial decisions that have kept them from being a part of the sub-prime mess that larger banks created over the past 3 years.

It's good PR for Kansas City -- and the strength of the financial institution has been good for Kansas City -- and the family's generous nature has been good for the city as well; helping fund a sports arena, public library improvements and a world class contemporary art museum.

It's just another example of how important strong local businesses are to the city.

Kansas City Rated as the 26th Best City for Young Adults

Kansas City, MO was rated by Portfolio as the26th best city in the nation for young adults.

Austin, TX was ranked #1.

Other comparable Midwest cities include Oklahoma City (#6), Tulsa (#8), Denver (#15), Omaha (#20), Columbus, OH (#22), Nashville (#30), St. Louis (#37), Indianapolis (#39), Cincinnati (#45), Milwaukee (#58).

Detroit is last at #67.

Criteria was the Annual Rate of Population Growth, Annual Rate of Employment growth, Share of the total poplulation that is 18-34, Jobless rate for those 18-34, HHs under the age of 45 with Household Incomes of $100k+ and the % of 18-34 year olds with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Kansas City's strengths were a low jobless rates for 18-34 year olds (21st) and a high percentage of college graduates for 18-34 year olds (18th).

Having a young, well-educated work force should be a good selling point for a city that is trying to attract major corporations to the city. It also means that if the city can keep young-professionals in town, there is some significant growth opportunity for the city.

One of the bigger stumbling blocks is the city's school system...because as these young professionals start having families, they will begin to look for good schools for their children to go to.