Eastside Opportunity Ventures

06/18/2026

Tomorrow is Juneteenth! Join us for a few hours tomorrow evening to be in community and share some joy.

📍6-9p at Boston Daniels Park

We look forward to seeing everyone there 💙

06/15/2026

Opportunity Zones are now a permanent part of the federal tax code.

For Wyandotte County and KCK, that could shape where investment flows for decades to come. As communities continue working to expand access to quality housing, support local entrepreneurs, revitalize commercial corridors, and build community wealth, OZs may become an even more important tool for attracting capital.

But investment alone isn't enough. The real question is whether these investments help create opportunity for current residents and strengthen the neighborhoods that have long been overlooked.

What priorities should guide OZ investment in Wyandotte County? Affordable housing? Small businesses? Community facilities? Something else?

⬇️ Share your thoughts below.

Follow along as we break down what the new Opportunity Zone legislation means for communities, investors, and local leaders.

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📹: Treasure Advertising
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06/11/2026

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City KS and Wyandotte Economic Development Council is looking to spenddown the full budget for small business grants - spread the word!

Grants up to $10,000 for:
• Renovation costs (sheetrock, flooring, painting, etc.)
• Façade improvements (painting, ceiling, etc.)
• Inventory costs
• Equipment costs
• Marketing (webpage, signage, etc.)
• Bars and establishments that sell alcohol with less than 50% in food sales (state and federal license required)

https://dottebiz.wycokck.org/small-business-grant-overview

UG Small Business Grant Overview learn about the small business grant

05/14/2026

Illegal dumping does not define our neighborhoods.

Reclaim. Rebuild. Reimagine. is transforming discarded materials into permanent public art installations designed by the community, for the community.

Beginning in the Minnesota corridor, Boston Daniels Urban Arts and the Quindaro Peace & Arts District (QPAD) invite residents, youth, artists, welders, and volunteers will work together to turn dumping sites into creative landmarks using reclaimed tires, metal, appliances, and salvaged materials.

This is more than beautification.
It’s environmental justice.
It’s workforce development.
It’s neighborhood ownership.
It’s visible change.

Launching June 2026.

Now recruiting:
🎨 Artists
🧑🏽‍🔧 Welders & Handymen
🌱 Landscape Volunteers
🧑🏾‍🎨 Youth Ages 14–21
🏘 Residents & Community Members

Apply by May 31:
https://forms.gle/1f31gpv7YPN95ceT7

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05/08/2026

Neighbors, students, leaders, and community voices came together for “Back to the Center,” an evening rooted in connection, conversation, and possibility. KU School of Architecture & Design student concepts for the future of the Quindaro Community Center, sparking thoughtful conversations about what this space can become for the Quindaro community. Through storytelling, collaboration, and shared vision, the evening reflected the power of community-led growth and investment.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared your ideas, and continues to be part of shaping The Center’s next chapter. This is only the beginning.

04/27/2026

Huge thanks to the Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County for an incredibly informative, high-impact conversation on the upcoming Constitutional Amendment to Elect KS Supreme Court Justices, on our August ballots.

From breaking down how judges are selected across the country to digging into what this change could mean for Kansas—this was exactly the kind of space we need to stay informed and engaged.

Grateful for organizations doing the work to bring clear, accessible civic education to our communities.

Missed it or want to rewatch? Check out the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i-yCclwAQ8

Stay informed. Ask questions. Show up.

04/24/2026

Opportunity Zones are evolving—and now they’re here to stay.

With the shift from OZ 1.0 to 2.0, this tool will shape investment in our communities for decades to come. That makes it even more important to understand how it works, what’s changing, and how it can be used to support real, lasting impact.

We’re continuing the conversation across Wyandotte County and throughout Kansas to ensure these investments align with community priorities, lived experience, and local leadership.

Opportunity Zones aren’t just policy—they’re a tool. And how they show up depends on how we engage with them.

Take a look, learn with us, and join the conversation.

03/17/2026

We are loving this lineup of programming that The Toolbox: Small Business Resource Center has coming up — check it out!

TOMORROW begins the Kauffman FastTrac program in KCK @ the Quindaro Community Center. This is an incredible opportunity all for FREE 🙌

Register here: https://www.thetoolboxkc.com/events/tuesdays-thursdays-kauffman-fasttrac-2026-03-17-18-00

Events that are happening this week!
🟣Programs

🟣Tuesday, March 17th - English Kauffman FastTrac at 6:00 pm at the Quindaro Community Center, 2726 Brown Ave, KCK 66104

For more information about our events, you can visit our website at
➡️thetoolboxkc.com

or Click the link below ⬇
https://www.thetoolboxkc.com/events-1

03/13/2026

Black Legislative Day is about showing up, learning together, and making sure our communities are part of the conversations shaping our state. We're excited to continue to engage in the connections made and the conversations started at the event last month.

Leaders, advocates, organizers, and community members from across Kansas gather to better understand what’s happening at the state level, share perspectives, and strengthen our collective voice. For our team, it’s an opportunity to listen, learn from partners across the state, and bring the voices of our community into the spaces where decisions are made.

As Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn shared, "This is where our strength lies. This is how we can be decision makers and be change makers."

Moments like these remind us that advocacy starts with connection, education, and showing up together.

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🎥: Treasure Advertising

03/09/2026

For our senior and disabled neighbors - be sure to apply for the tax rebates that are currently available to you!

You can schedule an appointment for assistance - call 311 or 913-573-5311

Get the breaks that you can while we work to find more opportunity for economic opportunity and stability for all 💙

🔔Seniors and Disabled Encouraged to Apply for Tax Rebate Programs
Please help us spread the word!

Beginning Friday, January 2, 2026, many Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, seniors or persons living with a disability can verify their eligibility for BPU PILOT Relief, property tax refund, utility, and sales tax rebate programs.

The tax rebate application process will take place through Wednesday, April 15. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) officially launched community outreach throughout the community to help applicants apply for tax rebates for their utilities and homes.

Property Tax Rebate Program:
Wyandotte County residents with an income of $58,041.00 or below and who will be sixty-five or disabled on January 1, 2026, may be eligible to qualify for a refund of the BPU PILOT charges if they are a BPU customer or a portion of their property taxes as a property owner. Qualifications are determined by the State of Kansas. Please check with 311 or visit the UG website for any questions and additional details.

BPU/ Utility and Sales Tax Rebate Program:
Residents living in Kansas City, Kansas or in Wyandotte County who have a BPU account and who are at-least age sixty-five or disabled on January 1, 2026, with an income of $58,041.00 or below may be eligible for this program to receive a rebate on franchise fees collected on BPU, gas, Internet, cable, or phone bills. The 2025 sales tax rebate, for eligible applicants, is $200.

Qualified renters may also be eligible for utility, sales, and BPU PILOT relief. Note that renters must be a BPU rate payer and have a valid BPU account to verify eligibility.

Applicants are encouraged to call 3-1-1 (913-573-5311) to make an appointment to present their paperwork and complete applications at any of the available community centers and business locations throughout Wyandotte County/ KCK.

Free transportation may also be available for residents with an appointment with at least 48 hours' notice.

For additional information and eligibility details, please visit: https://www.wycokck.org/Engage-With-Us/News-articles/Tax-Rebate-Programs