For the last 18 months your EDC has been working with Olsson Studio on a plan called the “587” which is the sum of the intersection at Highway 152 and I-435. For years we, as well as those heading to the airport, have seen nothing but cattle there. Your EDC saw cattle and opportunity. This is not a project but rather an attitude adjustment for the entire Northland. We are pushing 400,000 residents and it is time to act like it. For too long we have been content to send our high school graduates to an arena south of the river for commencement. Amenities or a fine night out? It should no longer be OK to have to cross a river or state line to find something nice. We believe the concepts developed in our plan can make us a destination county for not just those in the metro, but the entire Midwest. Can we do this as an EDC? Not a chance. Can we do it with your help? Absolutely. We are going to restart a couple of dormant committees in August and we will need your help. In the meantime, please look at the 22-page PDF here and the two-minute video here. Let’s make a difference.
Want an update of the economic activity of our cities and county? Your EDC’s State of the Cities/County luncheon is set for July 14th at Harrah’s. Networking begins at 11AM with lunch and the presentations at 11:30. Please hold the date and we will soon have more details.
This week let’s visit the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum at 4109 NE Pleasant Valley Road in Gladstone. Through ongoing events, exhibits, and engaging educational programs, the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum seeks to encourage a greater awareness of and appreciation for local history and farm-to-table concepts. By collecting and preserving cultural material for future generations, the museum aims to use a multifaceted approach to share Clay County farm history with visitors. Originally a two-story log cabin built between 1831-1834, this home is recognized as one of the oldest continuously occupied homes in Clay County. The original one-room log home was converted into a four-room I-house in 1853 by the Atkins family. Please clickhere for a list of their events.
Clay County Savings Bank is turning 100 and they are ready to have a party. While being entertained by the band Longshot and KC Wolf, you may enjoy great food from Jousting Pigs BBQ. The celebration is from 5-8PM on June 28th at their Liberty office located at 1178 W. Kansas Street.
This week at Gladstone Rotary, Ross Chantrel, Executive Director at $ Million Club at Legal Shield & ID Shield, suggested we notify you about the Employee Retention Credit. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, employers, including tax-exempt organizations, are eligible for the credit of up to $26,000 if they operated a trade or business during calendar year 2020 and experience either the full or partial suspension of the operation of their trade or business during any calendar quarter because of governmental orders limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19, or a significant decline in gross receipts. Please check with your advisor or accountant to determine if you are eligible.
Following months of negotiations, Oracle Corp officially purchased North Kansas City based Cerner Corp Wednesday. While Oracle has explicitly stated that Cerner will continue to operate on its own, your EDC and North Kansas City leaders are keeping a close watch on the proceedings. Cerner, as a provider of health care records, is the largest private sector employer in the Kansas City Metro.
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.
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:
This weekend: NKC’s Arts in the Park June 10th11th 5-10PM at Macken Park 1002 Clark Ferguson Dr.
Today: Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays June 10th
Today: Liberty’s Popcorn in the Park Movie – Sing 2 June 10th 6PM at Bennett Park
Today: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Platinum Express June 10th 7:00
Today: North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concert June 10th at 7PM at Macken Park featuring Bob Jovi
Tomorrow: Kearney’s Second Saturdays 5-9PM at 150 Highway 92
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm’s presents Yoga on the FarmSat’s at 8AM June 11th July 30th
Tomorrow: Kearney’s Tom Carey Appreciation Night at the Kearney Amphitheater June 11th at 7PM
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs’ Wine Festival June 11th from 3-8PM
Sunday: Shoal Creek Living History Museum’s 1875 reenactment June 11th 10-3 at Hodge Park
Monday: Oak Hill Day School’s Helen Willis Golf Tournament June 13th at 10AM at Staley Farms
Remembering & Celebrating Jay B. Dillingham/w Congressman Cleaver June 17th 5-7 at Northland Neighbors
Bluegrass on the Tallgrass June 17th from 6-9PM in Liberty benefiting the ECO Career Camp
Annual Clay County African American Legacy’sJuneteenth Festival June 17th and 18th details here
Smithville’s Historical Museum celebration June 18th 10AM-2PM 210 N Bridge St featuring the Folk Pickers
Gladstone’s
