Congratulations to Oak Park alum Ochai Agbaji who led Kansas University to the college basket national championship. The young man was a consensus All American, Big 12 player of the year, Big 12 tournament MVP and Final Four MVP. Not bad for someone who did not even have a major college scholarship offer until his last semester at Oak Park.
Congressman Graves, representing Missouri’s 6th congressional district, will be speaking at the new Kearney I-35 interchange grand opening Tuesday at 11AM. 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. Missouri Director of Transportation Patrick McKenna is also on the agenda as well as Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue. Time has been scheduled to meet with the Congressman and Director on the importance of widening Highway 92 and making it safer as our county continues to develop.
Congratulations to Kansas City for passing their health care levy and sewer bond issue. The Kearney Fire and School Districts passed their bond issues this week. The North Kansas City School District also passed their bond and levy issues. Elected to the school boards were Whitney Carlile and Scott Jacoby in Smithville, Terry Ward and Daniel Wartick in North Kansas City, Karen Rogers and Daniel Currence in Liberty, John Kern and Meredith Cole in Kearney, Dwayne Peoples in Lawson and Charles Harkins and Kalyn Goode in Excelsior Springs. Aaron Ward was elected Alderman in Avondale. Susanna Ryun was elected as a Birmingham Trustee. Norma Sulzberger and Terry Bradich were elected as Claycomo Trustees. Mark Spohn will serve on the Excelsior Springs City Council. Bill Garnos will continue serving in Gladstone. Dale Marcell and Jan Howard were elected Alderpersons for Glenaire. Jeff Alley and Leon Clifford are Holt Aldermen. Gerri Spencer and David Lehman will be on the Kearney Council. Greg Taylor will continue as Lawson’s Mayor with Kara Hamberlin serving on the Council. Missouri City will have Brian Adcock and Joe Selle on their Council. Mosby will have Harlin Clements as Mayor and Sally Denney and Elmer Sullivan on the Council. North Kansas City will have Councilmembers Anthony Saper, Lisa Tull, Ana Pellumbi and Tom Bailey. Oaks Trustees will include Peter Nielson and Jonathan Cates, Jr. Oakview Trustees will include Laura Russell and Deborah Zanger. Oakwood Trustees will include Monte Stephenson and Drew Patton. Pleasant Valley elected Councilpersons Linda Jacoby, Rick Scarborough, Tom Moss and Robin Martin. Prathersville Trustees include Ronnie Swope and Michael Garrison. Randolf will be served by Betty Montgomery and Lynda Pringle. Smithville Mayor Damien Boley will continue serving with Councilmembers Daniel Ulledahl, Ronald Russell and Marvin Adkins. Complete results can be found here.
Our friends at Liberty Hospital were named a recipient of the top 2021 Revenue Cycle Award from Clarivate Healthcare Business Insights. This award is given to organizations for achieving outstanding performance on revenue cycle KPIs that indicate fiscal health. Liberty Hospital was one of seven recipients of this award nationwide. This year’s recipients faced significant challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, disrupted cash flow, rising patient out-of-pocket costs and revenue cycle staff turnover. According to Clarivate, “this year’s winners reinforced the foundation for revenue cycle operations – achieving high-performing revenue cycles and demonstrating top-decile performance in multiple studied metrics.”
Your EDC is pleased to announce that once again the Caesar’s Foundation will donate $5,000 through Harrah’s for another Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build. We do not have a date yet but will let you know soon. In the meantime we would love to have you start collecting bedding for these kiddos who will soon be off the floors and into their own beds. Last year we were able to build 50 beds and finish 30 others putting 80 kids in a position for a good night sleep. No kid sleeps on the floor in our county.
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.
Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods is inviting our readers to a groundbreaking for their new sports training center April 15th at 1PM at 2601 NE Barry Road in Kansas City. Please call Susan Chiappone at 816-604-3044 to make a reservation or with any questions.
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.
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.
EDC Chair Julie Sola, Vice President and General Manager of Harrah’s Casino, pulled her Board together yesterday for a second strategic planning session. 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.
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.
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: Excelsior Springs’ Gatsby Days April 9th at 10:00AM
Tomorrow: KC Park’s Kids Spring Jamboree April 9th 10AM-2PM Shoal Creek Living History Museum
Tomorrow: North Kansas City’s Pint Path pub crawl from noon-5
Gladstone’s Adkins Johnson Farm Civil War Muster April 16th 11:00AM – 4:00 PM
KC Park’s Fountain Day April 19th at 10AM at Anita Gorman Park
Kearney Education Foundation Breakfast April 22nd at 7AM
KC Park’s Spring Cleaning at Winnwood Park April 22nd 9AM-noon.
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 Regional Chamber’s Education Banquet April 26th at 5:00PM
Kearney Enrichment Council’s Mardi Gras Gala April 28th
Gladstone’s Adkins Johnson Farm Walk N Wag April 30th 9:00AM
Northland Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration Breakfast May 6th at 7:30
Excelsior Springs’ Second Friday May 8th
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
