Wednesday afternoon Governor Parson gave his State of the State Address and many of his goals are right in the wheelhouse of your EDC including workforce development and infrastructure. While this is great, what made his address special was when he acknowledged two students from the Northland Career Center who were in the House gallery during the speech. Audrey Strope of Winnetonka and Nate Wassam of North Kansas City High Schools, both in the Law Enforcement and Crime Scene Investigation tracts at NCC, had a day they will never forget. A big thank you to Officer Darrick Bruns and Director Brian Noller of the NCC for making this happen.
With the legislative session taking place in Jefferson City, your EDC pays close attention to bills that would affect Clay County in either positive or negative ways. With redistricting being the emphasis, as it is every ten years with new census data, most legislation is moved to the back burner. That said, Clay County is represented by two State Senators and eight State Representatives. We monitor their correspondence and suggest you do the same. As mentioned earlier, not much is gaining traction besides redistricting so we’re going to point you towards Representative Wes Rogers who always has a nice read in his newsletter from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Even if you are not a fan of the outdoors you will enjoy the photography. BTW, winter is a wonderful time to hike.
The United States government has set up a website for free at-home COVID-19 tests. Each household is allowed up to four tests. Get more information and place your orders here.
Governor Mike Parson announced this week that the Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force has released its final report of recommendations to support small businesses across the state. In the report, the Task Force summarizes its findings and provides potential solutions related to workforce, supply chain, access to resources, broadband, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. Click here to view the report. Thank you to all of you who contributed information and opinions.
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 3 to 5 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 Saturday: Valor Ranch’s Wyatt Childress Memorial Texas Hold’em Tournament January 22nd at 6:00
This week: Liberty’s Girls Night Out January 27th at 5:00
This week: The Musical January 27th at 7:30PM at Liberty’s Corbin Theatre
Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Smithville Lake January 29th 10AM-1PM
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.
Your CCEDC is on the move. Click to join a committee, or to investwith us.
