Officer Vasquez Honored: At last week’s 51st Awards for Valor ceremony honoring Kansas City area law enforcement personnel who have demonstrated great bravery and selflessness, North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez was awarded the Honorary Officer of the Year award. Vasquez was killed in the line of duty during a “routine” traffic stop. Life Saving Awards were received by Clay County Sheriff’s Corporal Andrew Frizzell and Deputy Tyler Sands. Silver Awards were given to Deputy Timothy Barton, Sergeant Joe Porras, Corporal Kevin Zubeck, Detective Hillary Harmon and Officer Benjamin Siefker when our Sherriff’s Office combined with Liberty Police to arrest an active shooter. KCPD Officers Darin Lutz and Joseph Chabot received a Silver Award. KCPD Sergeant Bobbie King earned a Bronze Award. Read the KCPD stories here.
Teenager Receives Life-Saving Award: Ava Donegan was only out thrift shopping…so she thought. On October 1st Donegan and her boyfriend were stopped at an Excelsior Springs traffic light when an ESPD officer stepped out of his car to arrest the thug behind her on a warrant for assaulting a law enforcement officer. The thug shot the approaching officer twice before being dropped dead by another ESPD officer. Donegan got out of the car and helped apply a tourniquet to the injured officer’s arm. How bright is the future of a 17-year-old who can be put in a situation like this, shots fired, injured officer, dead thug and still have the wherewith all to jump into action? Read the press release from the Sheriff’s Officeand see the other awards given yesterday.
The Globe and the Country Come to Northtown: The National League of Cities, being hosted by Kansas City spent Wednesday in North Kansas City touring the town and school. Of course the Global Entrepreneurship Week was also hosted there this week. Quite a stage for our county.
McCullough Receives Gladstone Chamber’s Joe Wally Award: Gladstone Rotarian Barry McCullough received the Joe Wally Spirit Award yesterday. The award is given to an outstanding citizen in recognition of their continuous support to the Gladstone Chamber and the Community. In addition to Rotary, McCullough is a former mayor and is a principal at Jenkins and James Insurance.
Liberty’s Mayor Brenton to Retire: The residents of Liberty promoted Lyndell Brenton from the City Council to Mayor in 2003. After ten years as Mayor preceded by another 14 as a Councilman, Mayor Brenton will be leaving Liberty in an excellent position.
Small Business Grant: Apply for a grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Developmentfor your small business by clicking here.
Gladstone City Manager to Retire: Scott Wingerson, Gladstone City Manager since April of 2016, will retire next May after nearly 30 years with the city. The City Council has selected current Assistant City Manager Bob Baer to be his replacement.
$4 Million Airport Improvement: The Clay County Midwest National Air Center Airport in Mosby just completed a $4 million overlay of their runway. Due to astute work by their Airport Advisory Board and staff, the Federal Airport Improvement Program funded 90% of the cost.
LNHS Cross Country State Champs: Shout out to the young men from Liberty North for winning the state championship in cross county. Junior Sage Wilde, ranked 2nd in the nation, won the race with a time of 15:05. Read more by clicking here.
Need a Cute Roommate? Archie and his friends at Maple Woods Vet Tech are looking for a home. Click here to see these adorable future family members.
Breakfast at Maple Woods Leads to Seven Scholarships: Dr. Larry Rideaux, President of Maple Woods Community College, announced seven $500 scholarships thanks to the generous support of Northland business partners and individual donors at last year’s Inaugural breakfast. Click here to attend the December 7th 7:30AM breakfast or contact Susan Chiappone at Susan.Chiappone@mcckc.edu .
KC Parks would like to get input and involvement in their upcoming Parks Trailhead Study. Click here to opine.
Look North and Keystone December 15th: Dave Horn, who led the effort to revitalize both the Antioch and Metro North Malls, will be honored with the Look North award at your EDC’s luncheon December 15th. Businesses in the Northland that have made a significant contribution to help build Clay County’s economy will also be recognized with a Keystone. Seats are $40 with tables of eight for $300. You can register here.
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: North Kansas City’s Mayor’s Tree Lighting Nov 18 at 7PM at City Hall 2010 Howell St.
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Elf Factory, Mayor’s Downtown Lighting Ceremony and Lighted Christmas Parade all happening November 19th from 10AM-6PM in their historic downtown
Tomorrow: Briarcliff Trail Invasive Honeysuckle Removal Community Workday Nov 19th 9AM-noon 401 NW 40th
This week: Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum Holiday Toys until Dec 10th
This weekend: Liberty North presents Into the Woods Nov 17-19 at 7PM at the Jacobs Performing Arts Theatre
This weekend: MCC Maple Woods presents “Thurber Carnival” Nov 17-19 at 7PM in the Student Center
Tomorrow: North Kansas City’s Mistletowne Market Nov 19 10AM-6PM at the Parks and Rec Center
This week: Gladstone’s Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Nov 22nd at 6PM at Linden Square
This week: Kearney School District’s Turkey Trot Nov 24th at 8:30AM at the High School
This week: Liberty Giving Thanks 5K to support Hillcrest Hope Nov 24th 7:30 at the Liberty Community Center
North Kansas City Business Council’s “The Big Event” is December 1st from 5:30-7:30 at Harrah’s.
Smithville Chamber’s Candy Land Christmas Dec 3rd 1-5:30PM and Dec 9th 4-7PM in Downtown Smithville
Liberty’s Home Town Holidays and Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec 3rd 2-5 in Historic Downtown Liberty
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).
Intern anyone? Can you think of a valuable project for your business or organization that would be a learning opportunity for an intern? Northland CAPS is currently looking to secure approximately 300 unpaid internships across every career industry for the spring semester. NCAPS interns report 10 hrs/week for 15 weeks beginning in mid-January. They work with businesses and organizations of all sizes and varieties, including small businesses. Please consider hosting one! To get started, you can complete this quick form. If you have questions, please contact Allison Clemens or Brett Kisker at info@northlandcaps.org.
Want to Build the New Northland Workforce Development Center? The Platte County R-3 School District has issued a Request For Proposal on the newly named $60 million Northland Career Center. Click h/.ere.
Facebook Facebook Page: META has created a Facebook page for the Kansas City Data Center located in Clay County. You will be able to get updates, including employment opportunities by following here.
Break Out the Green Tie: Smithville High School’s Green Tie Affair, an innovator showcase with entrepreneurial pitches and individual interviews will be December 8th from 8-11AM at the school. Click here to see how you can help build our workforce.
Still Time to Opine: The MoDOT survey for the I-29, I-35 and Highway 169 intersection Planning and Environmental (PEL) Study is still open. Click this link. Citizen comments are part of any funding scoring so please take a couple of minutes to complete.
Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. is hosting the Kansas City Health Department for a vaccine clinic from 2-5PM December 8th. They will administer Tdap, COVID and the flu vaccines. Please call 816-454-2000 with any questions.
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
