With summer winding down it is time for the fall festivals. While there are many chances to go elsewhere, excellent opportunities for fun and food are right here in Clay County. Scroll on down to find where the fun begins and click the links for more information. We were able to find thirteen events in seven Clay County cities just this week.
There is an Animal Health Corridor with more than 300 companies stretching from Columbia Missouri to Manhattan Kansas that somehow skips Clay County. Our partners at the Kansas City Area Development Council hosted an Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City last week. Your EDC attended to let attendees know the advantage of putting their company here. Let’s see if we can establish a pawprint.
Last week’s discussion of the November surtax ballot issue at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. was well attended and very informative. A big thank you to not only the presenters but also all of you who showed up. Voting is a privilege. Understanding the issues you vote on is a responsibility. NNI will continue to host forums that concern Clay County voters including those running to be our County Commissioners.
Please remember to hold the date for our Look North Award the evening of October 22nd. Your EDC will award a person who has made an economic difference in our county. We are very close to announcing not only the winner but also our keynote speaker. Let us know if you want us to bring the zoo animals back. Also know that we would love to have you get involved with one or more of our committees. Northland Education and Business Alliance meets the first Tuesday of the month from 11:45 until 1. Quality of Life is at 3:30 on the second Wednesday and Civic and Legislative Affairs the third Tuesday at 7:30AM.
Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. is hosting the Kansas City Health Department for a vaccine clinic from 2-5PM on September 15th, October 13th, November 10th and December 8th. They will administer Tdap, COVID and the flu vaccines. Please call 816-454-2000 with any questions.
Our friends at William Jewell College will be breaking ground on a new Link capital improvement that will connect the college in various modes. Like virtual flying? Click here and hang on. The groundbreaking will be October 1st at 10:30AM at the Bowles Drive Triangle.
The 33rd Annual Lake Clean Up Day at Smithville Lake will be September 17th from 9AM to noon. Volunteers will meet at the Sailboat Cove Shower House. Please call 816-407-3400 for more information.
The KC Tech Council has released KC Tech Specs, a report capturing data and analysis around Kansas City’s tech industry. The report is designed to give the tech community, businesses, educators, lawmakers, civic leaders and students a consolidated, data-driven resource to find information about our region’s tech landscape
Our friends at Meta have created a program to boost the marketing of your business on Facebook and Instagram. META has created a toolkit with marketing assets that can be accessed HERE. The website to register is fb.me/SmallBusinessStudioKC. The free workshops will be held September 21st to 22nd.
Kansas City Parks has published their Fall 2022 Activity Guide. Take a look at it 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: Excelsior Springs’ Second Fridays September 9th
Today: North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concert Running With the Pack Sep 9th -7PM Macken Park
Today: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Stolen Winnebagos September 9th at 7:00
This Weekend: Kearney’s Jesse James Festival September 9th10th & 16th-18th at Jesse James Park
Tomorrow: Kearney’s Second Saturday September 10th
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum Pick’in on the Front Porch Sept 10th 7PM
Tomorrow: Liberty’s Moonlight Yoga September 10th at 10:30PM at Stocksdale Park
Sunday: Liberty and Clay County’s Sept 11th remembrance ceremony 9:11AM at the Courtyard Plaza
Sunday: Pleasant Valley’s September 11th remembrance ceremony 11AM 8108 Pleasant Valley Rd
This week: Liberty’s Corbin Theatre presents Jazz at the Garrison September 12th 6PM
This week: Clay County Sheriff’s National Night Out Sept 13th 6:30 to 9PM at the Courthouse Square
This week: NNI’s Muffins & a Movie (Mr. and Mrs. Bridge) Sep 14th 9AM. Call Terri 816-454-2000
This week: Excelsior Springs’ Downtown Excelsior Partnership Annual Dinner Sep 15th at 6PM
Worlds of Fun’s Haunt Fridays and Saturdays starting September 16th
Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Retroactive September 16th at 7:00
Smithville’s 5K and Family Fun Run September 17th at 8:30AM at Heritage Park
Smithville’s Old Fashioned Street Faire September 17th 10AM-6PM downtown
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch opens September 17th to October 31st
33rd Annual Lake Clean Up Day at Smithville Lake Sep 17th from 9AM to noon. Meet at Sailboat Cove Shower House. Please call 816-407-3400 for more information.
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum Big Shoal County Fair Sept17th from 10AM to 4PM
Smithville’s Old Fashioned Street Faire September 17th 10AM-6PM
Gladstone’s Fiesta on the Square September 17th 5-9PM at Linden Square
Worlds of Fun’sGreat Pumpkin Festbegins September 17th
Liberty’s Fall Festival September 23rd-25th at the Courthouse Square
Smithville’s BBQ Bash/Junkville September 24th
Gladstone’s GladfestSeptember 30th to October 2nd at Linden Square
Kearney Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Harvest GalaSept 29th 6-9PM at the Tobacco Barn Farm
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).
KCSourceLink announced that the Global Entrepreneurship Week will be held right here in Clay County. The weeklong event that draws thousands to network, learn and grow will have its main events at iWerx in North Kansas City and surrounding locations from November 14th-20th. “The iWerx team is excited to be the base camp for GEWKC 2022,” says Bob Martin, founding partner of the iWerx family of coworking and enterprise development facilities. “The small businesses that have set up shop here have defined our character and made North Kansas City a destination for entertainment, culture and community,” says Adam Roberts, serial entrepreneur, owner of Screenland Armour Theatre and North Kansas City councilmember. “We hope to foster some of that entrepreneurial energy at GEWKC, as entrepreneurs and their champions connect to learn more about how to start, grow and accelerate businesses.”
The Doniphan Leadership Institute’s spring 2023 cohort is 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).
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 5.520% for ten years, 5.349% for 20 years and 5.419% 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.
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.
Your CCEDC is on the move. Click to join a committee, or to investwith us.
Thanks, from your friends at the Clay County EDC
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
