Congratulations to our friends at North Kansas City Hospital who made Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2022. Rated as the top midsize hospital and health system in the Kansas City area, President and CEO Dr. Stephen Reintjes, Sr. said “It is an honor to be considered among the best employers in the country. To debut in the top 200 speaks to our commitment to create a work environment that allows our staff to provide the best care possible for our patients.”
Fetch my waders and hold my beer. During a meeting of the Buck O’Neil Bridge Committee this week MoDOT said the Missouri river was less than 3 ½ feet deep at Kansas City.
Word on the street is that Facebook will soon occupy a site in the Project Velvet data center. The Clay County building is in Kansas City, just south of Smithville.
North Kansas City appointed Michael Nichols as their City Administrator Wednesday night. A graduate of North Kansas City High School, he starts April 11th. For more information click here. We would be remiss if we did not give a shout out to Assistant City Administrator Kim Nakahodo who has done an outstanding job of holding the team together since being appointed the Interim City Manage on July 3rd.
When we elected Will Akin to be our Sheriff and a County Commission that would work with him to make us all safer, it was a good day for Clay County. Click here to see how his first year went and prepare to be impressed.
While your EDC was informed a couple of weeks ago, we waited to post in our newsletter that Mid-Continent Public Library Director Steve Potter will retire June 30, 2022 so as to use their news release. Here is a link to his milestones over his 34 years. It is safe to say that our library system has done a 180 under his direction. The Square One Business Services are linked weekly right here so that our entrepreneurs have access to vital information. In 2016 voters passed Prop L which has allowed for improvements to all of our libraries and several new buildings.
Please consider making time to help our Liberty High School students out by giving mock interviews March 29th. There are two 45-minute zoom sessions, 8:10-8:55 and noon-12:45. It is very important to assist our young adults to be workforce ready and this is a big help. For more information and to sign up, click here.
The Kearney School District and Chamber are hosting a Hiring Fair March 30th from 2:30-6PM. For more information, click here.
Did you ever want to judge, sponsor or volunteer at a robot competition? Our KC Tech Academy is very involved with BotsKCwhich is having their annual competition April 22nd and 23rd. For more information, click here. To see some fun videos, click here.
The Kearney Chamber is hosting an active shooter workshop March 18th from 10AM-noon. Led by Deputy Chief Mike Desautels of the Kearney Fire & Rescue Protection District, the seminar is designed to protect local organizations against potential violence. You can register here.
Gladstone just launched their Comprehensive Plan and are asking for your ideas for the collaborative preparation process to grow the community together. The 20-year guide will address topics that impact the everyday lives of those living and working in Gladstone from quality of life and housing to transportation, infrastructure and the economy. For more information click here. Register to stay up to date with the plan by clicking here. To take the survey click here.
Our friends at Northland Neighbors Inc. will be offering adult vaccinations for shingles, pneumonia and TDAP March 17th and 31st from 2-5PM. NNI is located at 5340 NE Choteau Trafficway. No appointments are necessary. Please call 816-454-2000 with any questions.
EDC Chair Julie Sola, Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s Casino, pulled her Board together for a strategic planning session facilitated by iWerx’sBob Martin. We are planning the future of Clay County. If you want to share an idea please contact a staff member below or reach out to one of our Directors here.
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.
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). The State of Missouri has resourceteams to assist businesses and community with getting connected to Mo Jobs resources. Contact Pam Harris, Missouri Department of Economic Development, pam.harris@ded.mo.gov or Allan Hedrick, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, allan.hedrick@dhewd.mo.gov.
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 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:
Fridays throughout Lent: Find a local fish fry for dinner
This weekend: The Savannah Sipping Society at the Garrison Cultural Center 7:30PM, 2:00 Sunday
This Saturday: North Kansas City’s Snake Saturday Parade March 12 at 11:00AM
Stars of Tomorrowat the Corbin Theater March 19th, 26th and 27th at 2:00
Liberty Hospital’s Half Marathon and 5K March 26th
Excelsior Springs’ Sippin’ Into Spring March 26th from noon – 5PM
Kearney High School presents Steel Magnolias March 28th -April 2nd at 7:00PM
Liberty High School mock interviews March 29th. Two 45-minute zoom sessions, 8:10-8:55 and noon-12:45
The Kearney School District and Chamber are hosting a Hiring Fair March 30th from 2:30-6PM
Oak Park High School presents Sabrina Fair March 31st -April 2nd at 7:00PM
Kearney Education Foundation Breakfast April 22nd at 7AM
BotsKC’s annual competition April 22nd and 23rd. For information click here. To see videos click here.
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
