The visitation, funeral and procession for North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez was something those who witnessed will never forget. Hundreds of emergency vehicles from across the Midwest were there to show their respect. It is known that his killer was on his way to purchase 300 rounds of ammunition. Your EDC is not the only one to question what the thug’s endgame was. Was the ammo for target practice or home storage? Or was it for something very evil. Did Officer Vasquez save a mass shooting? The creep he pulled over was angry enough to shoot him in the face and then exit his car to empty his clip. Only God and the thug knows what his next move was, but your EDC will count Officer Vasquez as a lifesaving hero. You can donate to his family here.
Tuesday is election day and you can see the full ballot here. While all elections are important, local politics have the most impact on you. You have the right to vote, but it is also a privilege to be taken seriously. The Clay County Mayors and your EDC did a lot of work to change county government but it only gets better if the most qualified candidates are elected. Our friends at the Courier Tribune did a great job interviewing the candidates for County Commissioner and we hope you take a few minutes to read about the contenders before casting your votes. Here is a link to the CT articles for Eastern at Large, Western at Large, Eastern and Western candidates. You will have to go to the fifth and last page of your ballot to check these boxes. Polls will be open from 6AM until 7PM.
A large part of economic development is education. Your EDC sponsors the Northland Education and Business Alliance that meets monthly at our office on the first Tuesday from 11:30AM until 1PM. Educators and business leaders work together to give our students a head start whether they choose a skilled trade, enlisting or going to college. Courtney Reyes of the Kansas City Home Builders (business) and Tatia Shelton of the Metropolitan Community College (education) will co-chair NEBA this year. Our next meeting is August 2nd and we hope you will consider attending.
Remember to mark your calendars for our Quality of Life Committee meeting August 11th at 3:30PM and Civic and Legislative Affairs Committee gathering August 16th at 7:30AM.
Its incredible to see just how much is getting done at the Metro North Crossing. This one-time Clay County eyesore is being turned back into a jewel. Click here for the latest information.
This week lets visit the Maple Woods Nature Preserve in Gladstone located at 2603 NE 76th St. Although surrounded by the City of Gladstone and the greater Kansas City metro area, Maple Woods is a reminder of the wildlands that once dominated this area just 200 years ago. This old-growth forest is a National Natural Landmark and contains impressive black maple (a variety of sugar maple), northern red, white and bur oaks, bitternut and shagbark hickory, red elm, basswood, black walnut, and white ash. Because of the abundance of sugar maples the fall colors are typically outstanding. However, because sugar maples create such dense shade, as the larger oaks in this stand eventually die off this forest will eventually become dominated by just shade-tolerant trees including maples, bitternut hickory, red elm, and basswood. Oaks require more sun on the forest floor for regeneration. Pawpaws are abundant in the forest’s understory. These small trees are relatives of tropical trees that produce fruits such as the cherimoya. The pawpaw is the largest tree fruit native to the U.S. The ripe fruits can be eaten or used in making a custard or pie-filling, but some people are allergic to this fruit.
In U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2022-2023 rankings and ratings, North Kansas City Hospital tied for third Best Hospital in the Kansas City metro area. This honor recognizes the hospital’s performance in complex care in medical specialties and in common procedures and conditions. NKCH also ranked High Performing in 10 procedures and conditions and received a Best Regional Hospital designation.
The State of the Cities’/County presentations are on our webpage. You can also go to the individual reports by clicking here. Great information.
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: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Sycamore Grove July 29th at 7:00
This weekend: Bull riding at Kearney’s Jesse James Park Friday & Sat at 6:30 by Better In The Saddle
This weekend: Grand Carnivale Ethnic Festival at Worlds of Fun July 23rd – August 7th at 5:00PM
Tomorrow: Win for KC Try-Athalon at Smithville at 7:30
This week: 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 & Noe Palma –Amphitheater July 23rd 7:00PM
Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays August 12th
North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concerts – Raitt & Rondstat Revival August 12th 7PM 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
