Each year the Missouri Chamber picks 25 individuals for their leadership class. This year their professional development program, Leadership Missouri, selected three current and emerging leaders with a direct affiliation to your EDC. Kansas City First District Councilwoman Heather Hall has been extremely active in the “587” project. Angela Castle is the President of KAW Services and serves on our Board of Directors. Wes Marks is an assistant general manager at LMV Automotive Systems, a platinum member. In addition, Cathleen Flournoy, VP of Business Recruitment at the Missouri Partnership and Jim Erickson, the Director of Strategic Initiatives for EDCKC were selected. With the weather warmed up we just need to write this again. Have you been to Penguin Park? If not, find a kid you know, so that you have an excuse to go, and head on down to Vivion Road at N. Norton. The park is a generational landmark. Take a couple of minutes to look at this video your EDC found on the KC Parks website. If you were raised in the Northland and have never been there you need to have a talk with your parents. This week’s guest speaker at Coffee Connectwill be entrepreneur Rebecca Graham of United Real Estate. A very interesting story that will include selling chocolate and art, as part of finding her passion. Newsweek and its global research partner, Statista, named the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Liberty Hospital a Top Ten Best Ambulatory Surgery Center for 2022 in the state of Missouri, and one of America’s Best. The research project evaluated expert assessments as well as performance data including a reputation score and key performance indicator data score for more than 4,600 ambulatory surgery centers across the country. Additionally, for the second consecutive evaluation period, Liberty Hospital has received an “A” grade for its dedication to patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries and infections. “We appreciate the commitment of our providers and staff to keep our patients safe,” said President and CEO David Feess. “I am truly proud of our team as we continue to set high standards and elevate our performance to meet the growing need for high-quality care in the Northland.” The Mid-America Regional Council published their regional trails and bikeways map. Take a look at it here.
Historic Downtown Liberty will host the Clay County Bicentennial Celebration June 4thfrom 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 RSVPfor one (1) of the following meeting dates to provide your input on the Comprehensive Plan: If you have not already, please registeron 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 PMI’ll Be There June 16th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PMThe 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 Onecourses 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 resource teams 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, MO64116, 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: Tomorrow: The Brandon Russell Flash Dash 5K in North Kansas City on May 21stTomorrow: NKCS Auto Tech Car Show May 21st from 10-3 at the CTEC Building 2000 NE 46th St. KCMOTomorrow: Maple Woods CC Rockin’ in the WoodsMay 21st 1-7PM Kansas City All Star BandThis week: North Troost Trail Ribbon Cutting 49th & Troost at 9:30AM (Park at Hillcrest Christian 900 NE Vivion)14th annual Kearney Blues Festival at the Kearney Amphitheater May 28th at 5PMNKC Business Council’s Mickey Finn Scholarship Golf Tournament June 2nd at 12:30 Excelsior Springs Health Care Foundation golf tournament June 3rd at 9AMGladstone’s Linden Square’sFood.Art.Drinkpresented by ArtWerx June 3rd & 4th 5-9PMClay County Bicentennial Celebration June 4th 2-5PM on the Liberty SquareGladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm’s presents Yoga on the Farm Saturdays 8AM June 11– July 30thKearney’s Tom Carey Appreciation Night at the Kearney Amphitheater June 11th at 7PMGladstone’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 invest with us.
David Slater, Executive Director davids@clayedc.comFrances Sheffield, EDFP Loan Officer francess@clayedc.comJulie Lewis, Business Retention Specialist juliel@clayedc.comEthen Pineda, Loan Officer EthenP@clayedc.com7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
