Gross Regional Product

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Kansas City's economy (as measured by metro GDP) has increased steadily since 2001. The total value of economic activity in the region topped $100 billion in 2008. If Kansas City were its own country it would be the 57th largest economy in the world just behind Peru and Qatar and ahead of Slovakia and Iraq.
Data in Excel format

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Growth in Kansas City's economy has been positive between 2001 and 2008, but the rate of growth has generally lagged the nation's until the most recent year (between 2007 and 2008). This is likely due to the fact that the 2008-2009 recession was not felt as strongly here as the rest of the country.
Data in Excel format