The results from the first election under our new Clay County Constitution are in and Scott Wagner will be our first Western Commissioner Seat Two office holder due to his getting over 50% of the vote (53.25%) from a greater than two candidate field of contenders. The top two vote getters from the other races will square off in November. They include Eastern Commissioner at Large JoAnn Lawson (31.45%) and Steve Wolcott (23.45%), Western Commissioner at Large Jason Withington (40.73%) and Kenneth Jamison (39.74%) and Eastern Commissioner Seat Two Jay Johnson (39.71%) and Sherry Duffett (30.87%). Voters will also decide on the two-person race for Presiding Commissioner by selecting between incumbent Jerry Nolte and Dan Troutz. Because they are unopposed, County Auditor Victor Hurlbert will be reelected and Zach Thompson will be our new County Prosecutor.
Because they will be unopposed in the general election, our State Representatives will include Eric Woods (18), Chris Lonsdale (38) and Doug Richey (39). In the 8th District Josh Hurlbert will take on challenger Alyssa Dial. Maggie Nurrenbern will defend her 15th District seat against Adam Richardson. In the 16th District incumbent Chris Brown will face Fantasia Bernauer. Mark Ellebracht is being challenged for the 17th District seat by Bill Allen. Your EDC would very much appreciate you doing your homework before casting a vote for these very important positions.
At last week’s Clay County Commission Business Session, Commissioners voted to let citizens decide whether the county surtax on commercial property should be reduced. Under the proposal, Clay Countians can vote on whether to reduce the commercial property surtax from $1.59 for every $100 of assessed valuation to $1.44 for every $100 of assessed valuation. If voters approve, the reduced surtax rate on commercial property would take effect July 1st of 2023. The Clay County commercial surtax is used to provide funding to school districts, cities, and other jurisdictions for public services, infrastructure and public safety, among other uses.
We asked you to hold the time for our Quality-of-Life Committee for Thursday at 3:30. There is a time conflict with Northland Neighborhood’s Planning and Development Committee meeting so we will be moving the QLC to Wednesday, August 10th at 3:30 at the Gladstone i-Werx building at 7001 N. Locust. If you have an interest in the quality of our growth we ask that you attend. Our agenda will be open for the first gathering but we will choose a Chair, discuss trails, recreational activities, academic needs and services required to make Clay County a special place to live, work and play for now and future generations.
Remember to mark your calendars for our Civic and Legislative Affairs Committee gathering August 16th at 7:30AM.
On July 20, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) named Clay County Public Health Center a 2022 Promising Practice Award winner at the NACCHO360 Annual Conference in Atlanta. The award was given to 16 local health department programs from across the United States and recognizes best practices in addressing pressing public health challenges. “We are honored to be recognized by NACCHO as a Promising Practice award winner,” said Director of Public Health Gary E. Zaborac. “I am proud of our team for earning this national recognition for our efforts to promote, prevent and protect the health of our communities in Clay County, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
This week lets visit North Kansas City’s Macken Park where they have afternoon concerts every Friday from 11:30-1:00. Located at 1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, this beautifully maintained, 60-acre park is home to a variety of recreational activities and includes great amenities like reservable shelters, ball fields, walking trail, playgrounds and more. The trail is one mile in length and for most of the distance, made of rubber. Depending on the time of day you visit you could see deer at dusk and dawn. You can watch ball games from kids just learning soccer or t-ball to competitive high school baseball games to just those with their best athletic days behind them playing softball. There are nine shelters along with tennis courts. The park is home to many North Kansas City hosted events from evening concerts and movie nights to weekend festivals.
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 National Night Out August 5th 6-9PM at Happy Rock Park. Helicopters, K9’s and drones
Today: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Then and Now August 5th at 7:00
Tomorrow: Kearney’s Country Showdown – Travis Marvin & Noe Palma – Amphitheater July 23rd 5PM
Tomorrow: Smithville’s Hot Summer Nights featuring Casi Joy August 6th at 7PM on the Square
This weekend: Grand Carnivale Ethnic Festival at Worlds of Fun now through August 7th at 5:00PM
Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays August 12th
North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concerts – Raitt & Rondstat Revival August 12th 7PM at Macken Park
Gladstone Theatre in the Park presents Li’l Abner August 12-14th
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 Linden Square’ featuring Vinyl Revival August 19th at 7:00
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
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Ridin’ the Storm Out August 20th at 6:30
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
