Before recently being promoted to Platte County R-3’s Director of Community, School and Business, Brian Noller served as the Director of the Northland Career Center in the District. With a school busting at the seams, Brian had a dream and a vision for a new career center in the middle of the Northland. With introductions and guidance from your EDC, Brian was able to navigate the political waters resulting in a $30 million earmark of State funding this year for a new Northland Career Center. There is still the other $30 million to fund and we will be with him through the entire process. As far as the Clay EDC, we would prefer a location in Clay County but will work with him regardless as this will be a jewel for the entire Northland. Not only will our high school students learn skilled trades, but adults wanting to reenter the workforce can use the same facility and equipment at night. Click here for a virtual tour. Of course we give a huge shout out to all of our Northland Legislators who deftly funded the center.
We may not have our own Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build this year. Elaina wants us to join others to build 300 beds in July. Grab a Kleenex and watch her story. For more information, click here.
Bring a friend this Wednesday to Coffee Connect, to hear how Joni Wickham went from being a first-generation college graduate to being on the ground floor of transforming Kansas City. You may want to read her book “The Thin Line Between Cupcake and Bitch” before attending. 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
Our friends at Northland Neighbors Inc. are hosting a meet and greet for our new Clay County Administrator May 17th from 5-7PM. Recently, the Clay County Commission announced the appointment of Ms. Dianna Wright as the new County Administrator. A Missouri native, Ms. Wright has extensive public sector experience serving over 30 years at the executive level. From her start in Gladstone, to Wentzville, Harrisonville and Olathe, Ms. Wright has brought her experience and skills as a talented public administrator. Help us give Ms. Wright a warm welcome at the Raymond R. Brock Hall, 5340 NE Choteau Trafficway, Kansas City, MO.
It’s so sad that we have to write about it, but our kids are naturally curious and some of them feel the peer pressure to try drugs. We have a killer out there named fentanyl and we need to know what signs to look for in not just our youths but others. In honor of National Fentanyl Awareness Week we are providing information when you click here.
The Herzog Foundation announced yesterday that they will drive $6.1 million into the Clay County economy over a two-year period at Smithville. This $6.1 million grand total includes $1.7 million in tourism through Herzog Foundation conferences and training events and $4.4 million in job creation. “Not only does the Herzog Foundation benefit Christian schools nationwide, but it also provides a direct economic benefit to the Clay County community,” said Herzog Foundation Chairman Todd Graves. “Clay County is already one of the fastest growing communities in Missouri, and the Herzog Foundation will only increase its economic growth.”
Historic Downtown Liberty will host the Clay County Bicentennial Celebration June 4th from 2-5PM where a 1972 time capsule will be unveiled. Live music will be performed by the Clay County Museum Bluegrass Band. The event will be free. There will be family fun and games, the building of a time capsule, photo GIF opportunity, a performance by the StoneLion Puppet Theater, face painting, frozen treats and demonstrations-experiences. If you miss this you’ll have to wait another 50 years for the next one.
The City of Gladstone, MO is updating the Comprehensive Plan and as decision-makers and influencers in the community, they need and value your input. Join us for a stakeholder meeting to learn more about the project and provide your input on the future of Gladstone and how we can Grow Together. There will be two (2) meeting dates to hopefully provide a time that works best for your schedule.Both meetings will cover the same information and material. Please RSVP for one (1) of the following meeting dates to provide your input on the Comprehensive Plan: If you have not already, please register on the project webpage to ensure you receive updates when new activities become available for your input! We also ask you to encourage your family, friends, neighbors, employees, and coworkers to get involved and participate in as many engagement activities as possible. Share your participation on social media by using the hashtags: #GladstoneGrowingTogether #GladstoneMOCompPlan. Please mark your calendars for our interactive Community Event at the Gladstone Community Center from Tuesday, May 24th through Friday, June 3rd, 2022.
I’ll Be There May 25th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
I’ll Be There June 16th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Our friends at Northland Neighbors Inc., through the Kansas City Health Department, are offering a Covid Booster Clinic May 14th from 10AM-2PM. On May 19th they will administer adult vaccinations for shingles, Pneumonia and TDAP from 2-5PM. NNI is located in the former Burlington Coat Factory at 5340 NE Chouteau Trafficway in Kansas City. The shots will be administered at the Raymond J. Brock, Jr. Hall.
Today is the last day to give your opinion. This from our friends at the North Kansas City Business Council concerning a proposed streetcar route through Northtown: Something many of us have been discussing in recent months is the possibility of a streetcar extension into North Kansas City. A thorough feasibility study is in the process of being finalized. There are many logistical and financial issues to be considered. The study team has asked for your input in the form of a survey. Here is the link to an explanation of the study and a link to the survey. https://kcstreetcar.org/about-streetcar/northrail/. When you come to the Community Outreach section please take a few minutes to complete the survey. The online self-guided survey will be active from April 20 – May 13, 2022, and accessible from this webpage. Click here to provide feedback through an interactive online map and survey tool.When the link is connected you will see a reddish-orange block on the right-center side of the screen inviting you to take the survey. There is also a blue box above that inviting your comments. The schematics you will see shows two options for the streetcar through North Kansas City: along Burlington and along Swift. It also shows two options for linking the current streetcar route to get onto the Heart of America Bridge to cross into North Kansas City.
The Clay County 4-H Fair will be July 8-9 in Smithville this year’s. Sign up to be a contestant, sponsor or judge by clicking 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 5.477% for ten years, 5.516% for 20 years and 5.556% 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:
Today: Excelsior Springs’ Second Friday May 13th
Today: North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concerts May 13th at 7PM The Phil Collins Experience.
Tomorrow: Northland Therapeutic Riding Center’s Mayfair, May 14th 10AM-4PM. Find out more about NTRC here.
Tomorrow: Smithville Main St. District’s Humphrey’s Gravel Grinder and Mental Health Awareness Fair May 14th
The Brandon Russell Flash Dash 5K in North Kansas City on May 21st
Maple Woods Community College’s Rockin’ in the Woods May 21st 1-7PM featuring Kansas City All Star Band
NKC Business Council’s Mickey Finn Scholarship Golf Tournament June 2nd at 12:30 at Staley Golf Course
Excelsior Springs Health Care Foundation golf tournament June 3rd at 9AM
Gladstone’s Linden Square’s Food.Art.Drink presented by ArtWerx June 3rd and 4th 5-9PM
Clay County Bicentennial Celebration June 4th 2-5PM on the Liberty Square
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm’s presents Yoga on the FarmSaturdays at 8AM June 11th – July 30th
Gladstone’s Bluesfest June 17th and 18th at Oak Grove Park
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.
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
