Davids Hosts Discussion with BBQ Restaurant Owners, Releases Updated Small Business Report
LENEXA, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with multiple KC-area BBQ restaurant owners at Jack Stack Barbecue in Lenexa. The discussion focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Kansas, including navigating current economic landscapes and leveraging federal resources. Following the event, Davids released an updated report on the current state of small business in Kansas’ Third Congressional District. Davids is a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee.
"During today's conversation with KC-area BBQ restaurant owners, we discussed important issues facing our small businesses, from navigating economic challenges to maximizing federal resources,” said Davids. “As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I'm committed to ensuring these entrepreneurs have the support needed to thrive and keep serving up Kansas City's world-renowned BBQ in our community."
“The business of barbeque is currently facing unprecedented challenges,” said Ron Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Barbeque Society. “The significant rise in protein costs, particularly in the post-pandemic era, has severely impacted the industry, posing increasing difficulties for small businesses. Representative Sharice Davids's unwavering support for business owners through her work on the U.S. House Small Business Committee is crucial in these trying times, ensuring the resilience of our small business community.”
“I know that 'support small businesses' is a very overused statement and as such, may not land as well as it used to,” said Ciaran Molloy, General Manager/Owner, Woodyard BBQ. “However, it is so important to have them as they are one of the last lines of defense against the huge food corporations in what essentially are oligopolies now. If you want interesting and loved food made by people that live in your town and who, importantly, also spend in that same town, keep visiting your local businesses and restaurants.”
“Small food businesses make a valuable contribution to the $81 billion food and agriculture industry in Kansas,” said Kelsey Olson, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture. “Supporting small businesses will strengthen the state’s largest economic driver.”
“Small businesses are the engine that drive our regional economy. The hard work and dedication of entrepreneurs is an inspiration as they innovate and evolve to better serve the community,” said Cathy Bennett, Senior VP Public Policy, Greater KC Chamber of Commerce. “This is particularly true for those in food service and the hospitality industry who are often the first smiling face to greet visitors to greater Kansas City, ensuring their stay is something to talk about when they go home and solidifying our reputation in places outside the metropolitan area. The KC Chamber values the opportunity to work with Congresswoman Davids to better understand the needs of our diverse small business sector so that we can advocate for opportunities to reduce barriers to their growth. When you want to understand the heart of a region – look to the strength of its small business community. And ours is second to none.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of rural communities. Livestock producers are small business owners,” said Matt Teagarden, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas Livestock Association. “These businesses supply high-quality protein to retailers and restaurants that deliver those products to consumers. It is incredibly important to our members that we ensure an environment in which small businesses can thrive. KLA members appreciate Rep. Davids’ work on issues important to small businesses.”
A portion of Rep. Sharice Davids’ updated small business report, showing the state of the Third District’s small business ecosystem.
Attendees for today’s conversation included Jack Stack BBQ, Brobeck BBQ, Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Jones Bar-B-Que, Kansas City Barbecue Society, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Livestock Association, and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
In the updated report, which follows Davids’ initial report released in 2022, Davids shares insight into the recent growth of local small businesses and what she is doing in Congress to support that growth, including voting to strengthen domestic supply chains and introducing legislation to support underrepresented business owners like women, veterans, and Native Americans. Key findings include:
- In 2023, 10,704 new business applications were filed in Kansas’ Third District, up 12.6 percent since 2022 and 42.7 percent since 2019.
- Out of Kansas’ 33,268 new small business applications in 2023, Johnson County led the state with 8,272 new applications from the county.
- The Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) served 1,399 clients in 2023, leading to $94 million in annual sales, 4,714 jobs created, and 52 new businesses.
- In 2023, Kansas’ Third District had 16,374 small businesses employing 169,254 people – making up 92.4 percent of all district employers.
As a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee, Davids has pushed for oversight of relief programs and urged the SBA to address fraud and protect small business owners in need. As a member of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, she has also focused on shoring up supply chains for small- and medium-sized manufacturers here at home and lowering operation costs.