Governor Mike Parson was in town yesterday to announce Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), formerly known as Facebook, Inc., will locate a nearly one million-square-foot data center in Kansas City, just south of Smithville, investing more than $800 million and supporting up to 100 jobs. The data center, a first of its kind in Missouri, is expected to be operational in 2024. Meta’s data center will be located in Kansas City’s Golden Plains Technology Park, a 5.5 million-square-foot data center campus. Our friends at Turner Construction will build the data center.
While it is March Madness and Mizzou continued its streak of never making it to the Final Four of the men’s basketball tournament, Missouri will be one of the final four states to approve their new congressional districts joining Florida, Louisiana and New Hampshire. The State Senate finally passed a map yesterday which now must be approved by the House. The new map keeps Congressman Cleaver’s seat safe and still allows Clay County to have the benefit of two congresspersons as he and Congressman Sam Graves will continue to represent us. By the way, filing for congress ends March 29th. Following the Meta meeting Governor Parson and I had a brief chat about the redistricting. I’m sure he was pleased when he heard the news a little later.
Congressman Graves, representing Missouri’s 6th congressional district, will be speaking at the new Kearney I-35 interchange grand opening April 12th at 11:00AM. Congressman Graves is the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Congressman headed up the Transportation Summit your EDC hosted last September.
Our friends at the Northland Regional Chamber are hosting the first of 15 community input sessions to determine the qualities that the community feels will be most valuable in the next police chief and to strengthen community trust between Kansas City area residents and the KCMO police department.The session is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. 5340 NE Chouteau Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64119.
You’re invited! On April 12, NKC Schools will host a Community Hiring Fair. Featuring over 70 companies and organizations from across Kansas City, the event is open to anyone ages 18 and older. Attend to connect with representatives from a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, hospitality, public service, law enforcement and more! Registration is required; click here to attend.
The Kansas City zoo is looking for teenagers who love the outdoors, talking to people and have a love of animals to become VolunTEENs. To apply or for more information click here.
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.
Our friends at Northland Neighbors Inc. will be offering adult vaccinations for shingles, pneumonia and TDAP March 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 3.820% for ten years, 4.226% for 20 years and 4.370 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
Tomorrow: Liberty Hospital’s Half Marathon and 5K March 26th
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs’ Sippin’ Into Spring March 26th from noon – 5PM
This week: Kearney High School presents Steel Magnolias March 28th -April 2nd at 7:00PM
This week: Liberty High mock interviews March 29th. Two 45-minute zoom sessions, 8:10-8:55 and noon-12:45
This week: The Kearney School District and Chamber are hosting a Hiring Fair March 30th from 2:30-6PM
This week: Oak Park High School presents Sabrina Fair March 31st -April 2nd at 7:00PM
Kearney Legends Festival April 2nd from 10:00AM-10:00PM
Hillcrest Hope’s annual gala, Night of Hope, April 2nd. Check in at 5:30
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.
Northland Ethnic Festival April 23rd from 11AM-3PM at Staley High School. Free admission and parking
Northland Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration Breakfast May 6th at 7:30
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
