Basehor, One of Kansas City Metro’s Fastest-Growing Suburbs, Benefits From Economic Development
The Kansas City Metro is growing, with 25,000 new residents moving here in 2024 alone, but not all communities benefit equally. Some neighborhoods are booming with new neighbors and businesses, while others are falling behind. Basehor is one of the thriving communities. It is the third-fastest growing suburb in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with a 25% population increase over the past five years. That growth has sparked new single-family home construction, many with well-thought-out and designed proximity to constructed trails, parks, schools, municipal facilities, and other amenities..
Economic development fosters sustainable growth. When done well, it creates a healthy ecosystem of diverse housing inventory, retail options, job opportunities, and infrastructure, like fast internet. These aspects work together to create a wonderful place for Kansans to live. See the value of economic development in your community and take advantage of Basehor’s projected growth to build it right.
Economic Development Supports All Basehor Residents
As a city in Leavenworth County, Basehor is supported by the Leavenworth County Port Authority (LCPA), representing 7,996 people in Basehor. LCPA aims to bring diverse industries to cities like Basehor to support employment and job growth. These newly arrived businesses will also grow the tax base, increasing the amenities offered to Basehor residents.
New business investment is good news for the community. While it’s easy to reach I-70 and commute to the city within 30 minutes, many people prefer to work closer to home. Short commutes promote a healthier work-life balance because residents can spend more time resting or enjoying their hobbies and less time on the road. Shaving 20 minutes off each drive can give you back more than three hours weekly.
Basehor is Ready for Small Business Investment
Kansas residents don’t have to rely on enterprise investment to foster job creation. Between 2021 and 2022, small businesses contributed a net increase of 23,371 jobs in the state, accounting for 67.2% of job creation.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners who move to Basehor because they like the community can bring their ideas and companies here, thereby increasing available amenities. The people who move to Basehor today can open coffee shops, salons, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses tomorrow. The process further reduces Basehor’s dependency on neighboring communities and shortens drive times.
Economic development doesn’t always mean a Fortune 500 company is opening a new factory in town. It often looks like a new wedding planner moving into a coworking space or a barber opening a shop on Main Street.
Development Needs to Be Strategic and Sustainable
More people than ever are interested in moving to Basehor and bringing their businesses with them, but this growth needs to be sustainable. Economic developers work to balance different industries in communities while advocating for increased and diverse housing options. For example, a healthy balance between single-family homes and affordable apartments can accommodate people of different lifestyles and goals.
Economic development teams also consider the local school and daycare options for families, ensuring their communities are welcoming places where families want to live.
Basehor is at the forefront of a great opportunity. The people who live here can build the city in a way that fosters scalable growth, with reasonable infrastructure and amenities that make sense. Investing in economic development raises a community’s potential.
Learn About the Leavenworth County Port Authority
Leavenworth County Port Authority is a quasi-governmental agency whose primary mission is to assist in developing economic opportunities through the planning, construction, and marketing of industrial property and facilities in Leavenworth County. Since 1969, the organization has led local communities to reach their development goals and foster regional growth.
Local taxes fund the LCPA, and its annual budget supports small business owners, infrastructure improvements, and other projects that directly benefit residents. Anyone who drives down a road or visits a franchise location benefits from economic development.
Learn more about what LCPA accomplishes and its impact on Leavenworth County. Consider the future of Basehor and how boosting economic development investment can shape it for the better.