Dr. King Celebration at Jewell: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” The Clay County African American Legacy and the Northland Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Committee invite the community to attend the 39th annual Northland Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. The keynote speaker will be Qiana Thomason, president and CEO of Health Forward Foundation and a member of the Jewell Board of Trustees. In addition to special music and tributes, community members and organizations will be presented service awards at the event. The Invictus Award for Social Justice will be given to Alvin Brooks, Kansas City Civil Rights Activist. For more information, click here.
META Purchases 900 Acres: The Kansas City Business Journal reported on Wednesday that META has purchased nearly 900 acres near their Kansas City data center, all in Clay County. Our META connections confirmed the sale. In November your EDC was approached by an area developer and we pledged our support to help with any hurdles.
New Worlds of Fun GM: Rick Fiedler was announced Monday as the new Vice President and General Manager of Worlds of Fun. With a career that has more than 30 years of industry experience, Fiedler will start as the park celebrates its 50th birthday. He will replace former GM Tony Carovillano who is returning to an amusement park near his hometown. You may read the press release here.
KCI New Terminal Orientation: Very soon we will be boarding flights from the new terminal at KCI. Before driving out to the airport please take a few minutes to look at this new terminal orientation/familiarization video by clicking here.
Planning the Future of Our Infrastructure: Your EDC is hosting the first of many future transportation planning sessions this Tuesday January 17th at 7:30AM in our office. It is imperative that our members, elected officials and those involved with the infrastructure needs of the Northland come together to set not only priorities but funding mechanisms. Our growth demands that we either be out front on this issue or have years of consequences. Please join us as we talk everything from interstates to bike trails. We need your input. The Mid-America Regional Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Metro, has numerous funding sources that can assist in the costs, but many other counties and municipalities are after the same dollars.
Back to Worlds of Fun: Our local destination amusement park has announced a memory contest for their 50th Anniversary Celebration. To help us old enough to be around when the park opened they are also bringing out a new version of the Zambezi Zinger, the one-time power coaster that had no restraints. Guests can get more information or enter the contest by sharing their favorite memories captured in photos, videos, and stories here.
Governor Parson’s State of the State: Governor Mike Parson will deliver the 2023 State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 18 at 3 p.m. The speech will be live-streamed on Governor Parson’s Facebook page, the State of Missouri’s Facebook page, and mo.gov/live.
Hunt Midwest to Contribute up to $2 million to New Northland Career Center Facility: On January 4, Hunt Midwest announced that it will contribute up to $2 million to the new $60 million Northland Workforce Development Center, the first private matching dollars committed to Northland Career Center’s plan to build and grow the workforce across Clay and Platte counties. NCC and the Platte County School District are raising $30 million to match the $30 million award from the State of Missouri to build this new center. The project will seek public and private funding without asking for a tax levy increase or bond issue from any Northland School District.
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:
This week:
William Jewell hosts the 39th annual Northland Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrationMonday at 10:00AM
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. director@smithvillechamber.org
Click on the high 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).
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.
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 Onecourses 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 6.748% for ten years, 6.739% for 20 years and 6.707% 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
then Pineda, Loan Officer EthenP@clayedc.com
7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
