Gross Regional Product

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Kansas City's economy (as measured by metro GDP) increased steadily between 2001 amd 2008 before dropping in 2009. (The chart above shows the annual GRP in millions of constant 2005 dollars). The recession of 2007-09 caused the local economy to slow in 2008 and actually decline in 2009. The total value of economic activity in the region remained over $100 billion in 2009 (using current dollars). If Kansas City were its own country it would be the 55th largest economy in the world just behind Ukraine and Kazakhstan and ahead of Vietnam and Morocco.
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 thru 2009).
Data in Excel format