We need your help as MoDOT ranks unfunded needs for Kansas City’s prioritization request. The Mid-America Regional Council will host a public comment period November 8th from 4:30 to 6:30. Please know that a large turnout will have an effect on any decisions. Click here for a listing. I-29 and I-35 corridor improvements are graded high but remains unfunded (page 4). I-35 from I-435 to 69 Highway corridor improvements are in Tier 2 (page 5). The requested improvement your EDC hears about more than any other, Highway 291 from I-435 to Ash, is now on the list but not included on the priority list (page 6). Also on this page is 92 Highway, the east-west connector of the Northland which runs from Excelsior Springs to Fort Leavenworth, which is the same distance from downtown as 142nd Street in Overland Park.
Smithville is ranked 39th on SmartAsset’s llist of best suburbs to live in near a large city. SmartAsset is a publisher of consumer-focused financial guides. People are discovering the Northland. Congratulations to Mayor Damien Boley and his leadership team. Click here for the study details.
Liberty Hospital’s Board of Trustees named Dr. Raghu Adiga as their President and CEO on Monday. Dr. Adiga had been serving in the same capacity as an interim since the retirement of long-time leader David Fees last June. Since 2021 Dr. Adiga has been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of the “20 Health Care Professionals to Know” and by Ingram’s magazine as a “Hero in Healthcare”. Click here to read the hospital’s press release.
Our friends at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc are hosting a Clay County Commission candidates’ forum on October 6th and a State Representative candidates’ forum October 13th, both starting at 6PM. Please get to know the people you vote for before casting your ballot. Their mailers don’t tell the whole story.
North Kansas City will receive $54,000 from MARC’s Creating Sustainable Places for a study on a Riverfront Levee Trail. Of the 23 applicants, only nine were funded. As we watch the southside of the Missouri River develop, it is great to see activity on the Clay County side. Your EDC has been in contact with the Port Authority of Kansas City about opportunities.
The Gladstone Farmers’ Market offers a Double Up Bucks Program, an incentive program that helps low-income families eat more healthy food and supports local farmers.
Clay County Senior Services provides transportation for residents of Clay County who are 60 years or older and live in an independent residence. For more information click here.
Networking! This week at Coffee Connect we will hear the other side of the surtax ballot issue. In February Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte led a panel discussion as to why you should vote “yes”. This Wednesday North Kansas City School District Superintendent Dr. Danny Clemens will give you reasons to vote “no”. Coffee Connect is held every Wednesday morning at the North Kansas City i-Werx, 1520 Clay, with networking at 7:45 with a one-hour presentation beginning at 8:00.
We would love to have you get involved with one or more of our committees. The 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 October 13th, November 10th and December 8th. They will administer Tdap, COVID and the flu vaccines. Please call 816-454-2000 with any questions.
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.”
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:
Tonight: Gladstone’s Linden Square’ featuring Phil Vandel September 23rd at 7:00
This Weekend: Liberty’s Fall Festival September 23rd-25th at the Courthouse Square
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’sGreat Pumpkin Festthrough October
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’s Haunt Fridays and Saturdays
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Pups & Pumpkins 5K September 24
Tomorrow: North Kansas City’s Pint Path September 24th from 12-5PM. Visit over 20 businesses.
Tomorrow: Smithville’s BBQ Bash/Junkville September 24th
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Mug Shots September 24th noon-5PM downtown Excelsior Springs
Sunday: Excelsior Springs’ Oktoberfest September 25th 10AM-9PM downtown Excelsior Springs
This week: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch until October 31st
Kearney Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Harvest GalaSeptember 29th 6-9PM Tobacco Barn Farm
Gladstone’s GladfestSeptember 30th to October 2nd at Linden Square
Feed Northland Kids’ 5K October 2nd at 8AM at Zona Rosa
Tri-County Mental Health Services’ Tee Off Fore Tri-County October 3rd at 5:30 at T-Shotz
North Kansas City’s Howl-O-Ween October 8th 1-2:30PM at Waggin’ Trail Dog Park
Blue Sparrow Landscape’s Fall Festival Celebration October 15th 10AM-4PM, 107 N Industrial Park Rd.
Excelsior Springs Hospital Annual Gala October 27th at 6PM at the Elms Hotel
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 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.
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 5.877% for ten years, 5.797% for 20 years and 5.877% 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.
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.
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
