Economic Development Council
Attracting New Employers While Supporting Existing Businesses
Economic Development isn’t just about attracting new companies and jobs to our community. It also means working to ensure existing companies prosper and grow. Both are equal commitments of the Overland Park Chamber Economic Development Council (EDC) team.
The EDC is the catalyst behind Overland Park’s economic growth, focusing on attracting new investment to drive job creation, business retention, workforce development, small business support and enhancing the city’s competitiveness as a business center. It helps ensure Overland Park remains one of the best places in the nation to live, work and build a business.
The Chamber's EDC team:
- Attracts new businesses and investment – The EDC markets Overland Park as a premier business location and facilitates recruitment opportunities for new companies. Recent examples include attracting major headquarters and expansions such as Fiserv and nbkc
- Supports existing business growth – It works to ensure that companies already in Overland Park can expand and succeed. It helps them access resources, navigate government processes and connect with partners.
- Builds partnerships – It facilitates relationships among development stakeholders. It collaborates with development-focused organizations across the Kansas/Missouri state line to support the economic vitality of the entire metro area.
- Supports small businesses and entrepreneurs – Programs include a Small Business Council and initiatives such as micro‑grant programs that help small businesses fund improvements, technology upgrades, internships and more.
- Provides demographic and economic data - The EDC supplies businesses, developers and community leaders with data for planning, site selection and investment decisions.
- Srengthens the local talent pipeline – The EDC supports workforce initiatives that help companies find and retain skilled workers including:
- A Talent Council aligning business needs with education and training
- Linking schools and higher education with businesses
- Apprenticeship and workforce development advocacy
- Advocates for pro‑business public policy – The EDC works with local, state and federal leaders to advance policies that support business growth, workforce development, housing, childcare capacity and economic competitiveness.
- Recognizes and celebrates business achievements – Through activities like the annual EDC Honors Lunch and nominations for business recognition awards, the EDC highlights companies and leaders contributing to Overland Park’s economic success.
Investors in the Overland Park Chamber EDC enjoy the following benefits:
- Access to demographic information and other community statistics
- Business referrals
- Customized property searches
- Local and state incentives facilitation
- Eight yearly events featuring programs on economic development topics
- Annual honors awards luncheon
- Recognition in Chamber of Commerce membership directory
- Networking with area civic and business leaders
- Governmental agency liaison
- Directly influence economic development in the community
For more information, view our Economic Development Council 2025 Annual Report.
Our economic development efforts help contribute to a community that is consistently ranked among the best cities in the U.S. To see the results, take a look at Livability Overland Park.
For more information about OP Economic Development, contact Libbey Tucker at (913) 766-7612 or ltucker@opchamber.org.
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