Northland legend Raymond R. Brock Jr. passed away last Friday leaving a legacy that culminated in the meeting hall at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. being named in his honor. Ray won your EDC’s prestigious Look North Award in 1987. As the owner and past President of Curry Real Estate, Ray’s Northland footprint is huge. A self-made person, Ray started his career delivering newspapers before becoming both his senior class and fraternity president. Married to Linnea for 70 years, they had four daughters including Ellen Todd who is doing an excellent job of filling his shoes as President of Curry and more importantly helping to guide the Northland. You can read Ray’s 92 years of getting things done obituary here. Cheers to an amazing leader and great friend.
Kansas City Magazine listed two Clay County establishments in their article on the area’s eight Favorite Haunts. Both Liberty’s Belvoir Winery and Excelsior Springs’ Elms Hotel were listed. The magazine also listed six area hiking trails to see Fabulous Fall Colors including Kansas City’s Hidden Valley Park. The magazine also listed eight “Suburbs that are Back in a Big Way.” Two of them are in Clay County. Read why Liberty and North Kansas City made the cut by clicking here.
The Courier Tribune is doing an excellent job of providing information on Clay County elections. Here is the link to the CT update this week. The last day to register to vote is October 12th. Click here to get information on how to register. We urge you to click here to see your November 8th ballot. The beauty of a Democracy is that we will all be able to vote the way we feel best fits our beliefs. All we ask that you come prepared after looking into the candidates and issues.
Gladstone ploggathon Want to get out and enjoy the fall foliage while cleaning up your town? Consider Gladstone’s idea. Gladstone’s Department of Parks and Recreation is participating the city’s first ever “ploggathon” – a Swedish concept that combines picking up litter and jogging to promote health and wellness for individuals while cleaning up your community – on October 16th at 8:00 a.m. For more information click here.
Our friends at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc are hosting a State Representative candidates’ forum October 13th, starting at 6PM. Please get to know the people you vote for before casting your ballot. Their mailers don’t tell the whole story.
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.
Ross Chantrel, Executive Director at $ Million Club at Legal Shield & ID Shield, suggested we notify you about the Employee Retention Credit. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, employers, including tax-exempt organizations, are eligible for the credit of up to $26,000 if they operated a trade or business during calendar year 2020 and experience either the full or partial suspension of the operation of their trade or business during any calendar quarter because of governmental orders limiting commerce, travel or group meetings due to COVID-19, or a significant decline in gross receipts. You can reach Ross at 816-739-4848. Please check with your advisor or accountant to determine if you are eligible.
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.”
Networking 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:
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’sGreat Pumpkin Festthrough October
This week: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch until October 31st
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’s Haunt Fridays and Saturdays
Tomorrow: North Kansas City’s Howl-O-Ween Oct 8th 1-2:30PM at Waggin’ Trail Dog Park
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Linden Square’Whiskey Fest October 8th from 4:30-9:30PM
Blue Sparrow Landscape’s Fall Festival Celebration Oct 15th 10AM-4PM, 107 N Industrial Park Rd.
Gladstone’s Ploggathon October 16th at 8AM. For more information click here.
MCC Maple Woods presents Honk & Howl October 19th from 5-7PM
Cocktails and Collaboration October 20th 5-7PM at i-Werx 1520 Clay NKCMO
Excelsior Springs Hospital Annual Gala October 27th at 6PM at the Elms Hotel
North Kansas City’s Trunk-or-Treat in the Park October 28th 6-8PM at Macken Park
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.
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
