The Country Club Plaza may not be camera-ready by the time World Cup fans arrive next year, but elsewhere in the city restaurants are brushing up for their moment on the global stage.

On Wednesday, Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a second round of funding in the city’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Grant Program, awarding a total of $100,000 to 12 restaurants to expand or improve their outdoor dining spaces. It’s part of a broader citywide effort to prepare for the international spotlight that will arrive in June 2026.

The pilot program, funded by the city’s tourism budget, was initiated in December with $200,000 distributed to 20 restaurants . This time around, the grants were funded by KC BizCare , a city-staffed small-business resource center.

“This second round of funding demonst

See Full Page