Economic Development
Projects in action
HDAX – Heartland Digital Asset Exchange
The Heartland Digital Asset Exchange (HDAX) is a convening of the Midwest’s most discerning family offices, institutional investors, and innovators with the global vanguard of digital assets and blockchain infrastructure. Hosted in Kansas City, the inaugural HDAX (September 9, 2025) marked a milestone moment for the region — positioning the Heartland as a credible, trusted hub for compliant blockchain finance. Produced by KC Digital Drive, HDAX reflects Kansas City’s growing leadership in digital infrastructure, emerging tech, and innovation-led economic development.
Regional University Research Collective
The Regional University Research Collective (RURC) is a collective impact initiative led by KC Digital Drive that unites the Kansas City region’s research universities—KU, K-State, and UMKC—with civic, industry, and philanthropic partners to strengthen the region’s innovation economy.
Miami County Connectivity Council
The Miami County Connectivity Council (MCCC) is an open, collaborative group of organizations committed to ensuring access to the internet and the ability to engage the digital world throughout Miami County, Kansas.
KC Futures DAO
Empowering Kansas City with Collective Decision-Making
Digital Life Exchange (DLX)
The Digital Life Exchange (DLX) is a consortium of direct-service organizations and resource providers committed to active collaboration to better meet the digital needs of vulnerable and underserved populations across the greater Kansas City metro area.
Plays
- Convention Center Technology
- Access to Capital
- Support Online Gaming Development
- Technology Transfer
- Innovation Hubs/Tech Districts
- Proof of Concept and Fab Labs
- Marketing the Region
- IT Workforce Development
News
Keeping up with AI Innovation: Reflections from October’s Meeting of KC Coalition for Digital Inclusion
Community leaders from KC Digital Drive, Women’s Employment Network, Strategic Workforce Development, Inc., and Generations on Line shared ways to educate the public and especially workforce to navigate AI tools safely and effectively to catch up with all that artificial intelligence innovation has to offer.
From Research to Action: How Federal Reserve Banks Elevate Research to Bridge the Digital Divide Around the Country
Last month, six Federal Reserve Banks co-hosted the Digital Access Research Forum, which brought together hundreds of researchers, policymakers, and community practitioners from across the country to discuss issues like digital access in rural areas and the economic impacts of digital inclusion. The event was held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and facilitated impactful conversations around digital access research.
Workforce Development and Bridging the Broadband Gap Take Center Stage at September KC Coalition Meeting
The September 2025 third Friday meeting of the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion featured presentations on innovative workforce development strategies and tools for analyzing digital disparities. Speakers from Goodwill and Workforce Partnership detailed efforts to provide mobile training and AI-driven job-seeking assistance. A new data tool was introduced to highlight gaps between internet availability and actual household adoption in Kansas City.