O’Neil Bridge to Close: At this week’s MARC Total Transportation Policy Committee meeting MoDOT District Engineer Chris Redline announced that beginning February 6thsouthbound 169 Highway will be closed until the fall of 2024 so that the connection to the new Buck O’Neil Bridge can be completed. After the meeting we had a nice conversation with Director Redline about the major projects in Clay County. More information is available here.
Kearney Taps Ernzen for Administrator: Sheila Ernzen was selected as Kearney’s new City Administrator this week. She had been serving as the interim City Manager since Jim Eldridge’s retirement last September. Sheila had previously served as both the Clay County Auditor and Treasurer. Click here to read the press release.
Grand Groves Honored at Snake Saturday: Since 1983 North Kansas City has hosted their Snake Saturday Parade on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. On March 11ththe North Kansas City Business Council’s Executive Director Rich Groves will be featured as the Grand Marshal. Leading the Business Council since 2010, Rich has been an invaluable mentor and friend of your EDC.
MARC Committee Openings: At this week’s Civic and Legislative Affairs meeting the discussion centered on organizing a Northland coalition to better represent us on the Mid-America Regional Council’s transportation committees. Working as a Northland, we will gather next month and fill the positions. Transportation committees include Active Transportation Programming Committee, Aviation Committee, Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Destination Safe Committee, Goods Movement Committee, Highway Committee, Missouri STP Priorities Committee, Mobility Advisory Committee, Operation Green Light Committee and Sustainable Places Policy Committee. Please consider finding a spot in your wheelhouse, clicking the link for more information and attending our next meeting.
Sahlfeld Named New County Tourism Coordinator: Megan Sahlfeld has been appointed the new County Tourism Coordinator. Megan will need her wealth of experience as Clay County is planning to be a major part of this year’s NFL draft and World Cup 2026. Your EDC looks forward to working with Megan to help make our county a destination location.
Liberty Public Schools Mock Interviews: If you want to help build our future workforce, you can spend less than two hours helping juniors and seniors with mock interviews March 14th from 9:15 to 11AM at Liberty North High School. Students will bring a resume for your review and critique so that they are better prepared for the future interviews that will count. To register, click here.
Starr Named Interim Chief Medical Officer: North Kansas City Hospital/Meritas Health named Steven Starr, MD as their Interim Chief Medical Officer this week. Dr. Starr has been a cardiologist at the hospital since 1994. You can read the press release here.
Want to Boost Your Biz? Your EDC’s partner KCSourceLINK, who hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Week at iWerx in North Kansas City last November, offers seven events to boost your business in 2023. Click here for a calendar of their classes.
Kansas City Parks Activity Guide: If you’ve had enough winter and want to get back at it, the Kansas City Winter/Spring Activity Guide lists their events 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:
This week: 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 & Chocolate Tour Feb 11th 4-7PM. For tickets contact rachel@kearneyenrichment.org
Smithville’s 2nd Annual Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil Feb 21st 5-9 at American Legion Post 58
Smithville’s Community Awards Banquet Feb 23rd White Iron Ridge director@smithvillechamber.org
Northland Chamber’s Annual Banquet February 25th at 5:30 at the Argosy Casino and Spa
North Kansas City’s Snake Saturday Parade March 11th at 11AM. .Click here for the route
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).
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.
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.
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 withMidwest 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
