Yesterday afternoon it was announced that Kansas City will be the host for up to seven World Cup Soccer matches in 2026. While the games will be played at Arrowhead, the vast majority of the 100,000 or so attending the events will land at KCI Airport and make their way through the Northland. Of course between the airport and Arrowhead will be the 587. We need your ideas and help on how to make them stop and enjoy what we have to offer. Congratulations to Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of both the Kansas City Sports Commission and Visit KC and more importantly a graduate of Winnetonka High School, for her leadership in securing this highly competitive bid.
This week let’s take a visit to Excelsior Springs and their Hall of Waters Museum. Built as a Works Progress Administration project in 1936 for $1 million, it was a distribution point for minerals waters. The building now doubles as both their City Hall and Visitors’ Center. The spring waters were said to be healing and people came from miles around to find a cure for everything from sores to tuberculosis to polio. The springs that produced a reddish water were first discovered in 1880 and changed the area from a wheat field to a city. The baths, separate for the men and women, would hold 300 people at a time. Get more information by clicking here. While in the neighborhood, take the time to walk their historic downtown including the Elms Hotel.
A long-time effort by Deb Hermann and her team at Northland Neighbors, Inc. has been to have a complete makeover of the former K-Mart Plaza at Vivion and Antioch Roads. While a purchase has not been finalized, the KCATA has hired a firm, IFF, wanting you to share your opinion with them to help future developments for childcare. Two big parts of providing a necessary workforce are transportation and childcare. This survey is for Greater Kansas City residents to provide ideas and opinions for potential future childcare options in their neighborhood. This survey will take about 5 to 10 minutes and closes July 10th. The summarized results will be shared with the KCATA and RideKC Development Corp and other organizations that want to support childcare options in your area. As a thanks, IFF will send you $15 gift card to Amazon (email gift cards). You can take the survey by clicking here.
Congratulations to North Kansas City based Chicken and Pickle for being named the Mr. K Award winner for 2022 by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes a company that is growing and succeeding while following the business principles of philanthropist and entrepreneur Ewing Kauffman. Led by CEO Dave Johnson, C&P has grown to six locations.
The Board of Trustees of Liberty Hospital has named Raghu Adiga, MD, to serve as interim president and chief executive officer following the recent retirement announcement by long-time hospital President and CEO David Feess. Dr. Adiga will assume the role on July 11 while the search by the hospital’s Board of Trustees for a new chief executive moves forward. Dr. Adiga has served as chief medical officer at Liberty Hospital since 2018. As one of the region’s leading infectious disease specialists, Dr. Adiga was praised for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic as he provided valuable expertise and guidance to the hospital as well as numerous Northland organizations.
North Kansas City is hosting a public meeting to share recommendations from technical analysis as well as input from residents and businesses concerning a potential streetcar extension into the City at the YMCA located at 1999 Iron St. on June 28th from 4-6PM. Financing, including capital and operations expenses as well as potential funding sources, will be discussed.
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.
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.
Last 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.
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 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, 5.588% for 20 years and 5.628% 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: Remembering and Celebrating Jay B. Dillingham with Congressman Cleaver June 17th 5-7 at NNI
Today: Bluegrass on the Tallgrass June 17th from 6-9PM in Liberty benefiting the ECO Career Camp
This weekend: Clay County African American Legacy’sJuneteenth Festival June 17-18th details here
This weekend: Gladstone’s Bluesfest June 17th and 18th at Oak Grove Park
This weekend: Smithville Lake Festival June 17th & 18th – 7-11 at Downtown Courtyard Park 110 E Main St.
Tomorrow: Smithville’s Historical Museum celebration June 18th – 10-2 210 N Bridge with the Folk Pickers
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Midnight Rodeo June 24th at 7:00
North Kansas City’s Movies in the Park June 24th at dusk in Macken Park – The Croods: A New Age
Excelsior Springs’ annual Waterfest June 24th-25th in the downtown
Kearney’s Dash of Bluegrass 7PM at the Amphitheater –Missouri River Band & Wood Valley Pickers
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ Movie in the Square featuring Spiderman No Way Home June 25th
KC Park’s Shut Up & Wrestle Tour June 25th at 7PM KC North Community Center 3930 Antioch Rd
Liberty’s Corbin Theatre presents Heaven is Beautiful June 30th -July 2nd at 7:30PM
Smithville’s Fireworks display July 1st at 6PM 17201 Paradesian St.
Kearney Fireworks Celebration July 3rd at 5:30 at the Amphitheater featuring Tate Stevens
Liberty FestJuly 3rd -Capitol Federal Sports Complex 2200 E Old 210 Highway 6PM with Lost Wax
Gladstone’s 4th of July Celebration at Oak Grove Park 7656 N Troost Ave at 7PM
Gregg Williams Tiger Classic Golf Tournament July 6th – 8th
Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays July 8th
North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concert July 8th – 7PM at Macken Park featuring Rock & Roll Never Forgets
Kearney’s Second Saturday July 9th
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
