The New Economy Council of Greater Kansas City has been launched to further promote the area's technology community. Focused initially on the recruitment of technical and scientific talent, the New Economy Council also works to recruit tech-based companies to the region.

Despite past obstacles, Kansas City has maintained a relentlessly bold and optimistic view of the future. That can-do spirit manifested itself in the creation of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, a comprehensive genetic research facility. The institute has established the goal of becoming a world-class basic research center and has a current endowment of more than $1 billion. Largely due to the Stowers project, eight primary research institutions are collaborating through the Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute. The institute's mission is to make Kansas City one of the nation's top 10 centers for life sciences and biotechnology research in the years ahead.

The University of Missouri – Kansas City has also adopted life sciences research as one of its priorities and chosen those particular sub-areas of life sciences research that complement the Stowers Research Institute, life-sciences related businesses in Kansas City, in particular the fast growing Cerner Corporation; and that complement the health care enterprise. For every state dollar in life sciences research, between 3 and 4 federal dollars are brought into the state. Both these state and federal dollars are spent primarily on jobs. Because UMKC recognizes that the life sciences are well poised to become the next critical step in developing a world-class knowledge-based economy, the university has developed a strategy of leadership in life sciences to ensure Kansas City makes the most of this unprecedented opportunity.

The university is also set to begin Phase I of its new Health Sciences Building, which will be adjacent to University’s School of Medicine. The new facility will house its Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy and other basic life sciences programs and increase the city’s researcher’s access to excellent lab facilities. The University has also entered into an agreement with Stowers Institute for Medical Research to recruit and educate graduate students who will provide leadership for the next generation of biomedical and life science researchers.