Former Gladstone Mayor/Councilwoman Carol Suter has been named Northlander of the Year by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce. Carol, who served for two years as the Chair of the Mid America Regional Council, won this prestigious honor not only for her work in Gladstone, but also across the Northland and the entire Metro. MARC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the nine-county Kansas City Metro. Carol and her husband Eugene, members of your EDC, run Suter Investment Trust. You can see Carol’s LinkedIn information here. You can register for the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on February 5th by clicking here
Our friends at Kansas City Planning released their permit information for 2021. Clay County had 2,335 of the city’s 4,054 new construction permits. Our friends in the Platte County portion of KC issued 947. All said, the northland area of KC accounted for over 80% of the 2021 new construction permits. Your EDC congratulates all involved with a special nod to our educators and law enforcement who we feel set us apart from other areas.
Rich Groves, the Executive Director of the North Kanas City Business Council, became certified to facilitate the Jon Schallert Destination Creation training course. He was the first certified trainer for this course in Missouri. A “destination” business isn’t limited to customers within a small geographic region. People will travel from far away for a destination business that has unique appeal. Internet traffic, too, will rise when searchers discover something unique and special about a destination business. When your business becomes a destination, sales and profit can exceed what you originally considered possible. For more information or to register click here.
The Caesars Foundation of Harrah’s is now taking applications for donations. You can get more information here. You may remember that your EDC received a $5,000 grant towards our project with Sleep in Heavenly Peace where we built 50 beds and finished 30 others earlier this year. As our Chair Julie Sola pointed out at our Annual Meeting, there are 80 less kids sleeping on the floor right here in the Northland than there were a year ago.
Our Mid-Continent Public Libraries offer many classes including the Square One courses on how to operate a business. You can register for their January 12th Business Model Canvas Workshop by clicking here. The website offers many opportunities, both virtual and in-person.
Our friends at the Missouri Department of Economic Development are hosting a Youth Opportunities Program Workshop January 12th. For more information or to register, click here.
KCSourceLink started a new program called BuyKC that helps you to purchase from an area company or hire a local company to help build opportunities, communities and our metro economy. Learn to sell online or to the government by signing up with a navigator from our partner MoSourceLink. For personalized business help, more information or to sign up for a navigator, click here. If you are interested in starting or building a business, this is a great place to get more information.
Your EDC wants to make sure you know of the great resources provided by our state that address job seekers, employers and our community. The information provided at https://jobs.mo.gov/ is both relevant and timely. You can also reach them at 1-888-728-JOBS (5627).
Are you tired of having to get permission to hunt on someone else’s land? Want some acreage and a hunting lodge or event center near Chillicothe? Your EDC is working with Whitetail Properties to sell a piece of property that currently belongs to us. Take a look here.
Did you know that your EDC provides small business loans through our partnership with Midwest Small Business Financing? We want to put your business into buildings and purchase the required fixed assets. Our rates include the Small Business Administration fees and are currently 3.666% for ten years, 3.495% for 20 years and 3.612 for 25 years. Please contact us with any questions. You can read about upcoming SBA trainings and get more information about the SBA’s Resource Partner Training here.
Your EDC helps to sponsor weekly educational programs designed to engage, educate and accelerate communities of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Hosted in-person by iWerx, 1520 Clay Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116, Coffee Connect starts at 7:45 and the program begins at 8. To sign up or for more information click here.
Your EDC’s Friday Facts is your go-to read to see what is happening in our County. We want you to see Clay County while spending your disposable income right here:
This weekend: Eagle Days at Smithville Lake. Paradise Pointe Golf Complex 9:30AM – 2:00
Tomorrow: Nik Baumert at Liberty’s Corbin Theatre 7:00 PM
Excelsior Springs Paranormal Ghost Tours January 15th
Liberty’s Girls Night Out January 27th at 5:00
Excelsior Springs Chocolate Tour February 5th 11AM – 5 PM
Liberty’s Let’s Wine About Winter February 19th 1PM – 5PM
Click on the school of your choice to see their calendar of events. Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Smithville, Liberty, Liberty North, North Kansas City, Winnetonka, Oak Park, Staley, St. Pius , Kansas City Christian and Platte County R-3 (yes, part of their district is in Clay County).
The Northland Education and Business Alliance now has its own YouTube channel. This organization just continues to grow and get things right and your EDC is proud to be a part of it. Feel free to view the dozens of videos from various career opportunities right here in Clay County.
