State of the Cities/County: Your EDC’s most fun event of the year has been set for March 30th. The State of the Cities/County luncheon will be held at Harrah’s in North Kansas City beginning at 11:30AM and concluding by 1:00PM Our mayors have a good time poking fun at their cohorts while letting you know what is going on in their cities. To register click here. To sponsor, call Julie at 816-468-4989.
Quality of Life Committee: We postponed this week’s Quality of Life Committeemeeting so that we could partner with our friends at Northland Neighborhoods, Inc. in hosting a reception/question and answer with new Kansas City Police Chief Stacy Graves. We will also have the opportunity to meet new Shoal Creek Major Scott Simonsand Northland Patrol Major Jason Asper. The event will be February 22nd from 5-7 PM at the Raymond R Brock Jr. Hall located in the NNI office at 5340 NE Chouteau Trafficway in Kansas City.
Searcy Named DD@DED: Shawna Searcy was named as the new Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Regional Engagement Division. Read more here.
Civic and Legislative Affairs Committee: Usually scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month, our CLA meeting has been pushed to February 28th at 3PM so we can continue to build a Northland coalition with Platte County. Once again we will be discussing and recommending participants for the various Mid-American Regional Council transportation committees. We will gather at the Platte County Resource Center (11724 NW Plaza Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153).
KC Council Candidate Forum: Your EDC has partnered with Northland Neighborhoods, Inc and the Platte County EDC to host two nights of candidate forums for the Kansas City Council races for the 1st, 2nd and 4th District At Large candidates along with the 4th In District hopefuls who will represent the Northland. Moderated by former KMBC political reporter Michael Mahoney, the 1st and 2nd candidates will share their goals March 2ndwhile the 4th district hopefuls will debate March 9th. Both programs are scheduled from 6-8PM at the Raymond R Brock Jr. Hall located in the NNI office at 5340 NE Chouteau Trafficway in Kansas City. The events are free and open to the public.
Smithville Mock Interviews: As part of their Real-World Learning Program, Smithville’sIntroduction to Business students will be working on their resumes and interview skills March 13-16. If you would like to assist our future workforce by helping out, click here.
April Municipal and School Board Ballot: The April 4th ballot is available by clicking here. Your EDC encourages you to vote, but only after studying the candidates and issues. Please take a few minutes with a search engine to help you get a full perspective.
NKCH&MH Receives Press Ganey: North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a recipient of the 2022 Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award. This honor ranks NKCH and MH in the top 5% of hospital systems in the nation for providing a quality patient care experience. Read more 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:
Tomorrow: Kearney’s Wine and Chocolate Tour Feb 11th 4-7PM.
Kearney High School presents Newsies Jr. Feb 14th-18th
Historic Downtown Liberty presents Let’s Wine About Winter Feb 18th 1-5PM 118 N Main St.
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.
Find a fish fry on Friday nights from 2-24-23 through 3-31-23
Hillcrest Hope’s Annual Event is Feb 25th click here.
Northland Chamber’s Annual Banquet February 25th at 5:30 Argosy Casino & Spa
Liberty Chamber’s 2023 State of the City Luncheon Feb 28th Liberty Community Center
William Jewell’s Achievement Day Dinner Mar 2nd at the Downtown Marriott 5:30PM
North Kansas City’s Snake Saturday Parade March 11th at 11AM. Click here for the route
Liberty/Jewell Half Marathon/5K Mar 25th 8AM at William Jewell
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).
Clay County Visitors’ Guide: Our friends at the Courier Tribune created a Guide to Clay County for visitors and locals alike. If you are a subscriber and already got this then great. If not, here is a link to some super cool things to do right 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.
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
Ethen Pineda, Loan Officer EthenP@clayedc.com
7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
