Look North Canceled: Due to unforeseen circumstances the Look North banquet has been canceled. We will honor our 2022 winner Dave Horn at our Keystones Award luncheon December 15th. We apologize for any inconveniences.
Governor Visits Two Schools: Your EDC can’t tell you enough how much education contributes to the growth of the Northland. What we can tell you is that Governor Mike Parson made two stops north of the river Wednesday. His first event was at the Northland Career Center in Platte City to celebrate the launching of the campaign for the $60 million skilled-trades school where we need to come together and raise $30 million. The other $30 million? Our Governor and the Northland Legislators crossed the aisles and worked together to bring us the first $30 million of this game changing jewel for us. Watch their latest video here.
Governor Parson then rolled across the Northland to Liberty to help celebrate EPiC Elementary being named one of 297 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes outstanding examples of great American schools. EPiC Elementary was awarded under the “Exemplary High Performing Schools” category. “EPiC” stands for “Every Person is Inspired to Create,” and Liberty Public Schools is proud of how the community at EPiC Elementary is living out that statement. Students are empowered to be creative, equipped with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and learn to engage with the community to make an impact.
No Traffic Congestion at the Split: It was comforting to learn this week that there is no real congestion when Interstates 29 and 35 merge in the Northland, even during rush hours. A study showed the 55 mile an hour speed limit was close to the average speed. Your EDC disagreed and told them that a study like this will prevent funding for this much-needed safety improvement. Our friends at Northland Neighborhoods Inc. will host the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) for an in-person public meeting as part of the I-29/I-35/U.S. 169 Planning and Environmental Linkages(PEL) Study. The PEL study focuses on the I-29/I-35/U.S. 169 corridors to develop both short-term and long-term alternatives for highway improvements. The meeting is this Thursday at 4PM at 5340 Chouteau Trafficway in the Ray R. Brock Jr. auditorium. If you don’t show up at the meeting you will be letting others know that you agree that there are no current or future issues. There will be information posted on the MoDOT page following the in-person meeting to direct people to a virtual meeting online as well as a survey to gather opinions.
Clay County Growth: Kansas City Planning just released their third quarter housing starts and once again Clay County leads in new construction residential permits with 1,758 (58.7%) of the 2,994 units. When you add in Platte County’s 588 (19.6%) the Northland accounts for 78.3% of the total. A big thanks to our schools, law enforcement and prosecutors.
META Marketing: Our friends at META Boost Studios wrapped up their Small Business Studio this week. Now that their in-person tour has concluded, their virtual program will continue through the end of year. It offers small businesses free on-demand access to educational training and marketing resources to help them grow their business online. Marketing assets can be accessed here.
EDC In the News: KSHB-TV did a nice feature about our 587 project on Tuesday. You can see the report by clicking here.
Local Election Information: This week the Courier Tribune did a question and answer for both the Eastern Commissioner and Western At-Large seats. Here is the link to the CT update this week. 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.
Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. is hosting the Kansas City Health Department for a vaccine clinic from 2-5PM on November 10th and December 8th. They will administer Tdap, COVID and the flu vaccines. Please call 816-454-2000 with any questions.
Things To Do in Clay: 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 Friday Fright Night Oct 21st 6-7:30PM Happy Rock Park 7511 N. Antioch Rd
This Weekend: Kearney High School presents “The Plot, Like Gravy, Thickens” Oct 21st-22nd at 7PM
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’s Great Pumpkin Fest through October
This week: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch until October 31st
This week: Liberty’s Spooky Trail Hunt until October 31st
Until Nov 2: MCC Maple Woods presents Dia de los Muertos Mon-Fri 10AM-2PM Frederick Gallery HU 205
This Weekend: Worlds of Fun’s Haunt Fridays and Saturdays
Tomorrow: Kids Safe Halloween Oct. 22nd 1-3PM at Shoal Creek Living History Museum 7000 NE Barry Rd
North Kansas City’s Trunk-or-Treat in the Park October 28th 6-8PM at Macken Park
Kearney’s Halloween Blast Oct 28th 4-6PM in Lion’s Park
KC Parks Great Kansas City Cleanup October 29th various times and locations
UAW 249’s Trunk or Treat October 29th 6-8PM 6040 NE Hwy 69 Pleasant Valley
Clay County Sheriff’s Office Trunk or Treat Oct 29 2-4PM at Mill and Missouri Streets
Excelsior Springs’ Witch Way to the Wine Oct 29 noon-5 in Downtown Excelsior
Historic Downtown Liberty’s Trick or Treat Oct 31 at 5PM 118 N Main
Excelsior Springs’ Downtown Trick or Treat Oct 31 4-6PM
Briarcliff Trail Invasive Honeysuckle Removal Community Work Day Nov 5th 9-noon
Liberty’s Veterans’ Day Celebration Nov 11th 6PM Liberty Performing Arts Theatre 1600 S Withers Rd.
Smithville’s Wine Walk & Christmas Market Nov 12 3-7PM Main Street District
Liberty High School presents “Alice in Wonderland” October 28th & 29th at 7PM
Northland Chamber’s Annual Auction November 17th
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.
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, 6.586% for 20 years and 6.654% 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 invest with 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
