Huge employment announcement from FORD Motor Company see full release here.
Now that it is unofficially summertime your EDC wants you to enjoy your spare time and money right here. We have been listing fun events to do at the bottom of our letter each week. Beginning today we will take you to a hidden gem and encourage you to take a few hours and visit these sites throughout our county. Let’s start with Watkins Mill State Park located between Lawson and Kearney. A 100-acre lake with a paved bicycle path around it, plentiful fishing, picturesque campground and choice picnic spots make Watkins Mill State Park an ideal place for an afternoon or longer. The park has ample fishing opportunities and an abundance of white-tailed deer and wild turkeys to watch. The park is adjacent to Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
After 34 years of dedicated service to Liberty Hospital, President and Chief Executive Officer David Feess will retire in July 2022. During the 11 years of his executive tenure, Mr. Feess has directed the growth of the organization from a single hospital to a health system that today includes 15 primary and specialty care clinics as well as affiliations with MU Health Care, Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute and Children’s Mercy Hospital. Recently, he managed the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of staff and high-quality healthcare services for the community. He also built a strong, experienced executive leadership team to carry forward the organization’s strategic plan and shared vision.
North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health has earned top honors on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2022 for providing high-quality maternity care from pregnancy through birth, as well as postpartum care. The list is compiled with data from Statista and recognizes the top 350 hospitals for maternity care in the United States. The hospitals are divided into two performance categories: five-ribbon hospitals and four-ribbon hospitals. NKCH received a four-ribbon designation. “This accolade is a result of great collaboration and dedication to excellence,” said Stephen Reintjes Sr., MD, president and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health. “Our team of obstetricians, nurses, perinatology specialists and neonatology experts help deliver and care for more than 1,900 babies each year. With Children’s Mercy Kansas City, we are proud to provide the Northland’s only Level III neonatal intensive care unit.”
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.
Cecelia Robinson of William Jewell and the Clay County African Legacy Inc.gave us a promotional video to share about their Juneteenth Celebration. Please take a look by clicking here. They will also have a booth at this weekend’s Bicentennial Celebration.
Smithville has been nominated for the Missouri Humanities’ 2023 Small Town Showcase. Please take a minute to vote for them to be a “Featured Five” community by clicking here. Smithville is eager to showcase their Main Street District and their historic square. They are a community that embraces growth, culture, and small-town identity. They are proud of their community’s strength and resilience and the many town events they host throughout the year to engage both citizens and tourists alike.
The Mid-America Regional Council published their regional trails and bikeways map. Take a look at it here.
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 June 16th | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
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 Health Care Foundation golf tournament June 3rd at 9AM
This weekend: Gladstone’s Linden Square’s Food.Art.Drink presented by ArtWerx June 3rd and 4th 5-9PM featuring Cherry Bomb Friday night and Boogie Nights Saturday
Tomorrow: Smithville’s Kiwanis Kids Fishing Derby June 4th – 9-noon at Helvey Park
Tomorrow: Clay County Bicentennial Celebration June 4th 2-5PM on the Liberty Square
North Kansas City’s Arts in the Park June 10th and 11th from 5-10PM at Macken Park
Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays June 10th
Liberty’s Popcorn in the Park Movie – Sing 2 June 10th 6PM at Bennett Park
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Platinum Express June 10th 7:00
North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concert June 10th at 7PM at Macken Park featuring Bob Jovi
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm’s presents Yoga on the FarmSaturdays at 8AM June 11th – July 30th
Kearney’s Tom Carey Appreciation Night at the Kearney Amphitheater June 11th 7PM
Excelsior Springs’ Wine Festival June 11th from 3-8PM
Shoal Creek Living History Museum’s 1875 reenactment June 11th10-3 at Hodge Park
Bluegrass on the Tallgrass June 17th
