The Clay County EDC’s impact is felt throughout Greater Kansas City, and a significant reason is the organization’s partners who help make the area an outstanding place to work and live.
AltCap was created to increase the flow of capital to communities and businesses not adequately served by mainstream financial institutions. Whether through the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, small business and microloans or other alternative capital, AltCap delivers accessible financing to support job creating, small business investments and community-focused real estate development projects. AltCap is an affiliate of Community Capital Fund, a nonprofit that invests in innovative and measurable asset-based community development.
The Doniphan Leadership Institute is a partnership between the EDC and the Pryor Center for Leadership Development at William Jewell College. This exclusive program has provided executive leadership training for hundreds of men and women throughout Clay County and Greater Kansas City. An intense program, the Doniphan Institute is comprised of weekly, daylong sessions on topics like 360 feedback assessment, team development skills and situational leadership theory.
Through the Greater Kansas City Area Development Councils, the EDC works with other area development organizations that cooperate to maximize their communications efforts.
KCSourceLink connects entrepreneurs to resources, coaches, funding and education and helps coordinate great events for entrepreneurs, like Global Entrepreneurship Week. The organization also monitors the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The group’s many partners help fill gaps in resources and bring national resources to the community through grants and other means.
The award-winning Mid-Continent Public Library might seem an unusual partner for the development council, but this regional system offers several high-quality business resources, including critical business data and the Square One Small Business Services.
One of the most impactful examples is Midwest Small Business Finance. Founded in 1982, MSBF provides something critical for area small businesses: capital for expansion. Staffed by the EDC, MSBF is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to package, close and service loans that offer long-term, low interest at fixed rates.
The Northland Education & Business Alliance is a collaborative effort involving all Clay and Platte County public and private school districts working in conjunction with the EDC. Founded by the EDC’s Marketing Committee, the Northland Education & Business Alliance stresses the outstanding quality of Northland schools and the large range of choices, including top-ranked public schools and prestigious private organizations.
For more information, see this page on the EDC website.
