Recent updates from Clay County hospitals indicate that over 90% and up to 100% of their COVID patients are unvaccinated. Nurses are overwhelmed as staff is leaving due to burnout or out due to positive tests. The virus is also hitting our schools where North Kansas City Superintendent Danny Clemens reports that there is such a shortage of teachers, support staff and bus drivers that his Board is considering temporarily shuttering some schools. When the vaccines first became available thirteen months ago there was a huge relief as an end to the virus was in sight. Nearly 60% of Clay County residents have been vaccinated as of today. If you have time to substitute teach or perform other duties at our schools your assistance would be appreciated. Please consider reaching out to them.
Our friends at Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods are hosting a free COVID test today. The kiosk will be in the parking lot just west of the Administration Building. You must make an appointment. For more information and to register click here.
The next Northland Education and Business Alliance virtual career speaker series will be January 18th covering arts, audio/video technology and communication at 8:00AM and noon and information technology at 9:00AM and 1:00PM. To register, simply click on your preferred time.
Rich Groves, the Executive Director of the North Kanas City Business Council, became certified to facilitate the Jon Schallert Destination Creation training course. The Destination Creation class runs February 14, 21, 28 and March 7, 14 and 21 for 2 hours each from 4 to 6 p.m. It will be ideally set up for hybrid training using the North Kansas City Fire Department training room which can hold up to 28 participants and a newly-acquired Owl Pro camera/microphone. 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. The website offers many opportunities, both virtual and in-person.
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 3.633% for ten years, 3.532% for 20 years and 3.659 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: Excelsior Springs Paranormal Ghost Tours January 15th
This weekend: 38th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration January 17th at 10AM. Zoom only here
Liberty’s Girls Night Out January 27th at 5:00
The Musical January 27th at 7:30PM at Liberty’s Corbin Theatre
Excelsior Springs Chocolate Tour February 5th 11AM – 5 PM
Northland Chamber’s Annual Banquet honoring Carol Suter February 5th 5:30 – 8:30
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.
