Northland Strong: A month ago your EDC invited any Northlander involved with the Mid-America Regional Council’s transportation process to our January 17th Civic and Legislative Affairs 7:30 AM meeting after discussing the need for organizing with Platte County EDC Executive Director Tina Chase. Since then numerous conversations have taken place about funding sources, projects and plans for the entire Northland. Last week Clay and Platte officials joined forces at MARC to fund $4.25 million for Highway 92 improvements in Platte City, $896,000 for Bridge Street in Smithville, $512,000 for a bridge in Glenaire, $3.2 million for Highway 9 in Parkville, $2.56 million for Riverside’s Riverview Boulevard, $1.4 million to Gladstone for Antioch Road, $5.52 million for North Oak in Kansas City and over $5.2 million for trails in Gladstone, Kearney, Kansas City, Liberty, Parkville and Smithville. It is imperative that we continue to work together as a Northland to fund the infrastructure that will match our growth in safety, capacity and quality of life.
Legislators Back to Jefferson City: Clay County will be represented in Jefferson City by two State Senators and seven State Representatives when the 2023 session starts this week. Click on their names to find their resume, how to sign up for their newsletters and the bills they will be trying to turn into legislation. Senator Lauren Arthur’s district is entirely in Clay County. Senator Denny Hoskins is new to Clay County due to redistricting. He will represent the eastern part of our county including Liberty. For the past ten years Clay County has been represented by four Representatives solely in our county and four partial districts. Due to our growth and redistricting we will now be represented by seven Reps, six of which serve only Clay. Josh Hurlbert will represent part of Clinton County. Maggie Nurrenbern, Chris Brown, Bill Allen, Eric Woods, Chris Lonsdale and Doug Richey’s districts are entirely in Clay County. This will be the first session for Representatives Allen, Woods and Lonsdale.
The Importance of Voting: A recount Wednesday confirmed that State Representative-elect Bill Allen defeated incumbent Mark Ellebracht for the 17th District seat. 11,536 ballots were counted and the difference was 37 votes. If 19 votes were flipped the incumbent would have won. Please don’t say it OK to not vote.
Missouri Enterprise’s 2023 Kickoff to Funding Opportunities for Manufacturers will be held January 24th from 8AM until noon at the North Kansas City iWerx, 1520 Clay Street. For more information and to register, click here.
Bicentennial Closing Celebration: All are invited to the Clay County Bicentennial’s final celebration January 5th from 5:30-7PM at the Woodneath Library Center 8900 NE Flintlock Road in Kansas City. Prizes and refreshments will be provided with other activities. Please RSVP by January 3rd to publicservices@claycountymo.gov.
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: African American Legacy Inc.’s Kwanzaa celebration Dec 30th 6:30 PM Garrison School Cultural Center 502 N Water in Liberty
This week: Clay County Bicentennial Celebration Jan 5th 5:30-7 at Woodneath Library Center 8900 NE Flintlock Rd. KCMO
Liberty’s Girls Night Out Jan 26th 4-8PM in Historic Downtown Liberty
Excelsior Springs’ Chocolate Tour Feb 4th 11AM-5PM Downtown Excelsior
Kearney’s Wine and Chocolate Tour Feb 11th 4-7PM
Smithville’s 2nd Annual Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil Feb 21st 5-9 at American Legion Post 58
Smithville’s Community Awards Banquet Feb 23rd at White Iron Ridge. Contact director@smithvillechamber.org
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).
Time to Enroll: Excelsior Springs’ Job Corps is now accepting enrollment applications. For more information or to apply click here.
Site Development Grants: The Missouri Department of Economic Development has opened applications for its Industrial Site Development Grant Program. For eligibility information, required documentation and other details, please review the program’s Final Guidelines. To apply click here.
Missouri Apprentice Ready Program: The Kansas City MARP will begin its second year with a cohort beginning February 13th with additional sessions in April, July and September. For more information contact Program Coordinator Rudy Chavez at rudychavez@moaflcio.org or 816-806-1840
Eagle Days: If you are not getting the Missouri Department of Conservation’s monthly magazine you might want to look into it by clicking here. Even if you do not hunt or fish the magazine has great information and outstanding photography. The latest edition may be read here. The December issues features information on Eagle Days. From now until the end of winter is a great time to head to Smithville Lake to watch these majestic birds in action. Your EDC suggests Eagle’s View Trail.
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, 6.491% for 20 years and 6.550% 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
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
