Here is a chance to learn about a remarkable success story while having a fun time right here in Clay County. Join us for NEBA Networking at Nickel and Suede on Tuesday, March 1st from 3:30-5:30PM. Kilee Nickels, the CEO and Founder of Nickel & Suede, will talk about her business, her passion for community as well as her dedication to inspiring women to pursue their dreams! Rolling tours of the facility, drinks, and light appetizers will be provided. Please be sure to RSVP to Juliel@clayedc.org by February 25th.
Our Executive Director went to Jefferson City for a day trip Tuesday. Because it includes more opinion than facts you’ll have to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter…it will be worth it.
The KC Spirit Playbook has two meetings next week. February 22nd at 3:30 on Livability and February 24th also at 3:30 on Serviceability. It is very important to give input from the Northland and your EDC is asking you to join us in participating in both of these sessions. The City Planning and Development Department is leading an update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan sets priorities and guides land development decisions to ensure Kansas City, Missouri is a thriving, people-centered community and a successful model for other American cities to follow for future generations. Read more about the update in their Comprehensive Plan Update Fact Sheet.
Clay County Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte, County Auditor Victor Hurlbert and County Assessor Tracy Baldwin have concerns about the county’s surtax and will be hosting a forum March 2nd’ at Coffee Connect. The tax on commercial property is $1.59 per $100 in assessed valuation in Clay County while the Missouri average sits at about $1.02. Coffee Connect is hosted every Wednesday at i-Werx at 1520 Clay Street in North Kansas City. Networking begins at 7:45 with an hour-long program beginning at 8AM.
The Clay County Bicentennial Committee is hosting a celebration from 4 to 6PM this Thursday. Consider joining your EDC at Corbin Mill, 131 S. Water in Liberty on February 24th. Refreshments will be served. Please make a reservation at publicservices@claycountymo.gov.
Your EDC played a significant role in changing our county government last year. The county commission will soon include seven members rather than the current three. Filing for the newly created positions will take place until March 29th. For more information on how to be placed on the August 2nd ballot click here.
Kyana Bowers of EDCKC has grant funds available to invest in promising social entrepreneurs with sustainable business models that create social, racial, and/or environmental change. The application deadline is March 30, 2022. For more information click here.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City has a speakers’ series this month. On the 23rd at 6:00 as Dr. Crystal Johnson presents 2 Steps Forward 2 Steps Back: Historical Amnesia’s Impact on Social Progress.
The Doniphan Leadership Institute’s fall 2022 and spring 2023 cohorts are accepting registrations now. These tend to fill up very quickly. You can register or get more information here. The classes are offered through William Jewell’s Pryor Leadership Program.
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.
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.
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).
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, 3.915% for 20 years and 4.040 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 i-Werx, 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:
Tonight: The Sophia Kenville Showat Liberty’s Corbin TheatreFebruary 18th at 7:00PM
Tomorrow: Liberty’s Let’s Wine About Winter February 19th 1PM – 5PM
This weekend: Excelsior Springs’ Mardi Gras Murder Mystery February 19th at 6PM and 20th at 1:30PM
MCCKC presents A Raisin in the Sun Viewing and Discussion February 28th at 6:00PM
Smithville’s 1st Annual Crawfish Boil March 1st from 5:00 – 9:00PM
Macbeth A Comedy of Terrors at MCC Maple Woods March 2nd and 3rd at 3:00 PM and March 4th and 5th at 7:00PM
Northland Prevention Conference March 4th 9:00AM- 3:00PM. More information and registration here
Excelsior Springs’ Sippin’ Into Spring March 26th from noon – 5PM
Kearney Education Foundation Breakfast April 22nd at 7AM
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.
Thanks, from your friends at the Clay County EDC
David Slater, Executive Director davids@clayedc.com
Frances Sheffield, EDFP Loan Officer francess@clayedc.com — Julie Lewis, Business Retention Specialist juliel@clayedc.com
Ethen Pineda, Loan Officer EthenP@clayedc.com
7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
Clay County Economic Development Council’s Friday’s Opinion
This is David Slater and not the EDC. First of all Clay County is very fortunate to be represented by two members of Congress, one Democrat and one Republican. We have two State Senators and eight State Representatives with all or part of their districts in Clay County split right down the middle between Republicans and Democrats and all of them fit into the conservative, moderate or liberal categories. I am convinced that we have two additional parties and we need to start recognizing them as such. We now have the party of the left extremists and the right extremists that should not be referred to as liberals or conservatives.
The division in Jefferson City is now on steroids, as due to Senator Roy Blunt’s retirement, there are a lot of politicians looking for a promotion. Many have filed for his seat including members of Congress and that leaves people running for those seats, many of them State Senators which leaves those positions available for members of the State House to campaign for.
The American Rescue Plan funded $1.9 billion to help our K-12 students adapt to and transition back from COVID 19 precautions. 49 states have acted. One still must meet the March 24th deadline. Hopefully our Senate will get around to helping our kids before the money is forfeited back to Washington.
Speaking of 49, that is where we stood on fuel tax, behind only Alaska. There were bills filed to eliminate the tax passed last year through the legislature which adds 2 ½ cents per gallon annually for five years. One of these bills got out of a House committee on an 8-2 vote Tuesday. I asked Senate Pro Tem Dave Schatz and he said the issue will not be discussed in the Senate. After leaving his office I bumped into Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden and he asked how I was doing and I said better than his senate and we both left shaking our heads.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will be running for Governor in two years. One of his main agenda items is to make local elections partisan and have them on the November ballot. If you think what is going on with partisan elections is good for our State and Country and you want to see that on a local level then you have your candidate. A few months ago I ran into Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe and asked him to address some mayors from across the State concerning this issue. He met with us Tuesday and I am quite comfortable that Mr. Kehoe likes things the way they are.
Governor Parson, a great friend of ours and a true conservative, has been chastised by the media for his handling of the COVID 19 pandemic including his appointment of Donald Kauerauf as the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The same media that proclaims Nancy Pelosi to be a moderate said this was too conservative of an appointment. Our State Senate refused to confirm the Governor’s selection as they felt he was too liberal. Out Governor has a very tight rope to walk as he must get the votes of at least 84 of 163 State Representatives and 18 of 34 State Senators. While many call him too conservative, our new party on of the extremist right calls him a Republican In Name Only.
Our Senate is yet to pass legislation this year. A great deal of their time is spent in a filibuster concerning the six Republican-safe and two Democratic-safe Congressional redistricting map passed through the House. Some wanted a 5-3 map as the last presidential election had 56.8% voting Republican and 41.4% Democratic, but that would never happen with our Legislature. Senator Moon is joined by seven other Senators in the party I deem the extremist right. They want a 7-1 map and are holding the chamber hostage by reading books and telling stories while holding the floor. I’m no expert, but I think the 7-1 map could possibly result in at least three Democrats as Congresspersons…wouldn’t that be ironic? The third, sixth, seventh and eighth districts are Republican locks. The first is a Democratic lock. Congressman Cleaver would be tough to beat in the fifth even with the 7-1. Second District Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner received 51.9% of the vote two years ago. Tuesday I heard something interesting that might just put the fourth district up for grabs. The 7-1 map would likely put our entire county into the 6th district leaving us with only one member of Congress while the House version keeps us with two.
I’ll be back in Jefferson City pretty soon. If you want to discuss, my personal cell is 816-686-4882. Take care.
