Tuesday morning North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez was killed in the line of duty by a thug with a gun and expired plates. His “End of Watch Call” came when he was 32 years old. Officer Vasquez’s fiancé also worked for the Department. When the “officer down” call went out, she was the first to respond. We ask for your prayers, and if you can afford it, the Kansas City FOP Lodge 99 created a fundraiser on Tuesday for Vasquez’s funeral arrangements and other family assistance. Independence Officer Blaze Madrid of Smithville answered his “End of Watch Call” September 15th, 2021. They were in the same Police Academy class. Your EDC is very thankful for the leadership being provided by North Kansas City Mayor Bryant DeLong, Police Chief Kevin Freeman and North Kansas City Hospital’s President and CEO Stephen Reintjes and their teams. Officer Vasquez was transported to NKC Hospital and their team was outstanding in providing comfort to the family, both blood and blue. Our friend Mike Hayes of ProPrint Digital at 1916 Clay is providing free “thin blue line” flags of support. We might add that after you get your flag you go a block and a half north and say a prayer at Officer Vasquez’s memorial.
Shawna Searcy, the Executive Director of the Kearney Area Development Council has been named the President of the Missouri Economic Development Council. Shawna also organized the effort for the successful Use Tax election for Kearney last November.
Your EDC wants to give a shout out to our friend Deb Hermann the Chief Executive of Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. and her leaders for a very informative Wednesday. Her focus Antioch Road had a presentation by Brien Starner, President of RideKC Development. The former K-Mart building at the southeast corner of Choteau and Antioch has been purchased by RideKC and we were shown design plans for the redevelopment. A lot of options, but the one definite is that the K-Mart will be torn down. Later that night, nine of the 14 candidates for the four new County Commission seats answered questions from former Chanel 9 political analyst Michael Mahoney and the audience. We have some excellent candidates for the positions but unless voters inform themselves, others may be elected. Wednesday night about 120 citizens spent 90 minutes gathering information not on candidate brochures. We thank them as well as the candidates willing to face tough questions.
The State of the Cities’/County presentations are on our webpage. You can also go to the individual reports by clicking here. Great information.
Our friends at Kansas City Planning released their June 30th year-to-date building permits report this week. Clay County had 1,154 (60.3%) of the 1,914 city-wide new construction permits With the 373 new units in Platte County, the Northland accounted for 79.8% of new residential construction.
This week let’s go to the Jesse James Farm in Kearney to see where the famous outlaw was born. Located at 21216 Jesse James Farm Road, the farm charges a small admission and is open 9AM-4-PM daily through August. Visitors can see the exhibit with regular admission to the museum, which includes a guided tour through the James Farm cabin, interpretive film and a self-guided tour of three museum galleries. The Friends of the James Farm hosts a variety of events including Old West Revolver Shoots, a Writers Conference and annual Friends of the James Farm Reunion. James, along with his brother Frank, were American outlaws, bank and train robbers, Civil War guerrillas and leaders of the James–Younger Gang.
Did you see where Governor Parson signed legislation for a State-wide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on July 16th? Did you know that your Northland Legislators and EDC played a significant role? Wanting to make 911 work anywhere in Missouri, 988 became the dominant discussion. While there is still plenty of work to do, State-wide 988 and 911 are sorely needed. There is a Next Gen system that allows for texting. Imagine being in a closet hiding from an intruder or abusive partner and being able to text your concern rather than having to talk. This will be one of the subjects we discuss in our Civic And Legislative Affairs meeting August 16th at 7:30 AM. An agenda will be created soon, but please save the date and time. We will be a problem-solving committee with infrastructure, workforce development and economic development being the main topics. Please also save the date for our Quality-of-Life committee August 9th at 3:30.
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: North Kansas City’s Movies in the Park featuring Encanto July 22 at dusk in Macken Park
Today: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Flashback July 22nd at 7:00
This weekend: Grand Carnivale Ethnic Festival at Worlds of Fun July 23rd through August 7th at 5:00PM
Tomorrow: Kearney presents Shooting Star with Missouri at the Amphitheater July 23rd at 7:00PM
Tomorrow: Grand Carnivale Ethnic Festival at Worlds of Fun July 23rd through August 7th at 5:00PM
This week: Northland Chamber’s Golf Tournament July 27th at 7AM at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Sycamore Grove July 29th at 7:00
Liberty’s National Night Out August 2nd from 6-9PM on the Historic Downtown Square
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Then and Now August 5th at 7:00
Kearney presents Country Showdown with Travis Marvin and Noe Palma at the Amphitheater July 23rd at 7:00PM
Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays August 12th
North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concerts featuring Raitt & Rondstat Revival August 12th 7PM at Macken Park
Smithville’s Festi-Ville featuring Diamond Rio is August 13th at 3:00 at their Town Square
Kearney’s Second Saturday August 13th
North Kansas City’s Movies in the Park featuring Sing 2 August 19th at dusk at Macken Park
Excelsior Springs’ BBQ & Fly-in on the River August 19th and 20th Downtown
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum Restoration Run August 20th at 8AM
Liberty’s Dog Days of Summer Craft Beer Crawl August 20th 1-5PM at the Square
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
