Troost Avenue, other areas to benefit from small-business loans

Storefronts between 30th and 34th along Troost could get a facelift from an expanded loan program.

Troost Avenue between 30^th and 34^th Streets is one of the areas targeted by an expanded Kansas City microloan program. According to 6^th District Councilman Scott Taylor, “The KC Storefront Initiative will aim to make financing available and create opportunities for family-owned small businesses.” The city program is a partnership with the United States’ second-largest microlender, Justine PETERSON. The initiative pilot project will start by encouraging business growth in areas that have vacant storefronts. In addition to the four blocks of Troost, the program focuses on several other areas of Kansas City, includingIndependence Avenue between the Paseo and Benton Boulevard; the 18^th and Vine Neighborhood; Southwest Boulevard between Broadway and State Line Road; and the South Kansas City area bounded by 470 Highway, 71 Highway, Martha Truman Road and Raytown Road.