A North Kansas City small business is finding a new normal after a three-alarm fire destroyed its offices. Key Cos., a 2012 25 Under 25 honoree, is one of several companies affected by a destructive office building fire May 8 in North Kansas City. Key Cos. is the parent company of Spyder tools, a manufacturer of various blade attachments for reciprocating saws. Owners Judy and Joe Roetheli were not present…

The Women’s Business Development Center is hosting Connect & Celebrate, an afternoon event focused on procurement opportunities. The event is open to corporations and Tier 1 suppliers. It includes a matchmaking session, supplier diversity panel discussion and networking reception. The event takes place 2:30-7 p.m. July 26 at KCP&L, 1200 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. The matchmaking sessions will take place from 2:30-4 p.m. between corporations and vetted women-owned businesses….

Heritage Tractor announced its acquisition of Larson Farm and Lawn locations across Missouri and Arkansas. Heritage Tractor, a Midwest dealer of John Deere products headquartered in Baldwin City, Kan., adds Larson’s John Deere service center to its network. Glenn Larson, CEO of Larson Farm and Lawn, initiated talks due to his desire to focus efforts on his semitrailer business, said Jessi Royer, marketing manager at Heritage Tractor. Heritage Tractor, which…

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced May 14 that it will partner with Veterans Affairs’ Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program to provide valuable assistance to veterans careers futures in self-employment. Assistance will be provided by the SBA, which supports entrepreneurs and small business owners through resources to help their business grow, as well as its resource partners and the U.S. Export Assistance Centers. Veterans, service-disabled veterans and service members…

A small business was among the development projects honored with a 2018 Cornerstone Award. The awards are presented by the Economic Development Corp. of Kansas City, Mo., and recognize new construction, redevelopment, capital investments and job creation or expansion projects. The ceremony took place May 15 at Union Station. Urban Cafe at 4101 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo., made a $57,060 capital investment to grow its business, which included a…