MARC News

Nov 24, 2025

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Participants seated during the October 2025 MARC Board Meeting

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on Oct. 28. We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations.

Board of Directors meeting

Regional Housing Partnership

The Board authorized a $125,000 grant application to the Health Forward Foundation to support a housing narrative change campaign in 2026. MARC will partner with LISC Greater Kansas City and other organizations to broaden understanding of housing needs and support efforts to create more housing options across the region.

View slides

Transportation updates

The Board took action on the following topics:

Metropolitan planning organization self-certification: Board members approved the required federal self-certification statement, ensuring that regional transportation projects and planning activities remain eligible for federal funding.
Connected KC 2050 amendment: The Board approved an amendment to the region’s long-range transportation plan for two new K-10 highway corridor interchange projects, with a total estimated cost of $100.8 million.
2026-30 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): The Board adopted the TIP, which outlines all federally funded and regionally significant transportation projects for the next five years.
Transportation committee reorganization: Members heard an update on efforts to streamline MARC’s transportation committee structure, aiming to improve efficiency and increase engagement. New Technical Advisory and Kansas Programming Committees were approved; further discussion on Missouri Programming Committee voting structure will continue.
Transportation committee reorganization: Members heard an update on efforts to streamline MARC’s transportation committee structure, aiming to improve efficiency and increase engagement. New Technical Advisory and Kansas Programming Committees were approved; further discussion on Missouri Programming Committee voting structure will continue.

View Connected KC 2050 amendment slides View TIP slides View transportation committee reorganization slides

Head Start program funding

To support the MARC Head Start program, the Board approved the use of MARC contingency reserves, if needed, to cover MARC Head Start staff expenses for November 2025 due to delays in federal grant awards caused by the government shutdown. MARC and its direct service providers remain committed to serving families despite funding uncertainties.

2026 state policy agendas

Staff shared updated Missouri and Kansas state policy agendas, reflecting Board input on local government authority, transportation, early learning, housing, aging and other areas. Each year, Board members adopt a state policy agenda that allows MARC to address specific legislation or proposed rules that might affect the Kansas City region. The Board voted to approve the policy agendas.

View state policy agendas

Budget and Personnel Committee meeting

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Oct. 28, attendees took the following actions:

Regional radio system evaluation

The Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System (MARRS) is a multi-jurisdictional radio network that supports interoperable communications among public safety agencies across the Kansas City region. The committee that supports that network recommended entering into an agreement with Tusa for $181,500 to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the system and develop recommendations for a long-term cost model to guide budgeting and lifecycle replacements. Tusa will also assist in coordinating with system owners and vendors to achieve regionwide pricing for hardware, software and maintenance. The committee approved the agreement.

Accessible transportation

The Federal Transit Administration's Section 5310 Program funds mobility solutions for older adults and people with disabilities, with KCATA serving as the designated recipient for the Kansas City region. MARC and KCATA share responsibilities for planning, project selection and grant administration under a longstanding agreement. Committee members voted to reaffirm this partnership through a new MOU, allocating up to $151,375 from KCATA to MARC for program administration in 2025-26.

Double Up Food Bucks

The Double Up Food Bucks program is a partnership coordinated by MARC and other organizations that provides incentives to SNAP customers at farmers markets and grocery stores. The program will soon transition to new USDA grant funding with $5,034,000 in federal support and a secured 50% non-federal match from the State of Missouri and numerous philanthropic organizations in the region. The committee approved entering into new contracts with all partners and involved stores.

Food-as-medicine program proposal

Committee members approved submitting a grant proposal to Jackson County to help expand food-as-medicine programs. MARC and area partners are collaborating to bring food-as-medicine programs to new parts of the county, leveraging experience and existing meal delivery systems to improve access to nutritious, specialized meals. This initiative directly addresses food security and health outcomes by offering options tailored for various dietary needs, including diabetic, renal, heart-healthy, vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

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