Big Brother Jeff: This week during the Missouri Municipal League’s Legislative Conference city officials were addressed by both Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowdenand Speaker of the House Dean Plocher. Both legislative leaders spoke of the need to address personal property taxes as the pandemic-driven adjustments had forced constituents to sell off their cars due to the increased tax burdens. Your EDC would like to hear from anyone who had to sell their vehicle due to the higher tax assessment. When asked by the Pleasant Valley mayor why they felt the need to interfere with voter approved taxes that support both schools and municipalities they spoke of the surplus the taxation has produced. The State of Missouri is sitting on a $6 billion surplus and they see the need to set the tax structure for local governments and school districts? Of course there was a windfall. Pleasant Valley used theirs to give a 9% inflation-driven cost of living adjustment to their employees as did just about all cities. Schools develop our workforce. Cities create an environment that balance the cost of taxation with the benefits provided by those revenues. The one statutory job of the legislature is to provide a budget. The changes they make have the same effect on Kansas City as they do on Cooter. Governor Mike Parson has been an excellent partner with the cities and he understands most decisions are better made at the local level.
Chief Graves Eulogizes Jim and Champ: If you had any doubts about the selection of Stacey Graves as the Kansas City Police Chief you can put your concerns to bed by listening to her End of Watch eulogy for both Officers Jim Muhlbauer and Champ by clicking here.
Kudos to Sly for the New KCI Terminal: The new KCI terminal opens Tuesday. A lot of credit has been passed around but your EDC wants to give a huge shoutout to former KC Mayor Sly James. When the new terminal idea was first launched there was a large pushback from not just the public but also members of the KC Council. While numerous leaders worked on the public perception Mayor James made the tough decision to replace the former Aviation Director Mark VanLoh with Pat Klein who, along with his team, has been nails through the past seven years. Mayor James worked on the public perception on one hand and used the other to get a council majority to forge ahead. James’ leadership has provided a terminal we will all be very proud of.
Mitchell Named Missouri ProStart Educator of the Year: The top ProStart educator in all of Missouri is teaching right here in the NKC Schools. Congratulations to the Staleyfamily and consumer science teacher Rachel Mitchell, this year’s statewide ProStart Educator of Excellence recipient given by representatives from the Missouri Restaurant Association . This award recognizes teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and passion, commitment and creativity in their mentorship of students.
Land Purchased for NWDC: This week it was announced that the new Northland Workforce Development Center will be located just north of the Central Bank Sporting Complex-Northland at the intersection of Platte Purchase Drive and Highway 152. This northland-centered location will provide easier access to both the students and adults desiring a career in the skilled trades. The land selected includes room for expansion.
Former Northland Editor Passes: Angelina Borgedalen, who worked for 37 years at the Liberty Tribune, retiring as editor in 2013, died in her sleep February 11th. You can read her obituary printed in the Courier Tribune by clicking here.
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 Lewis at 816-468-4989.
Civic and Legislative Affairs Committee: Usually scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month, our CLAmeeting 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).
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: Find a fish fry on Friday nights from 2-24-23 through 3-31-23
Tomorrow: Hillcrest Hope’s Annual Event is Feb 25th For more information or to register, click here.
Tomorrow: Northland Chamber’sAnnual Banquet February 25th at 5:30 at the Argosy Casino and Spa
This Week: Liberty Chamber’s 2023 State of the City Luncheon Feb 28thnoon-1 at the Liberty Community Center
William Jewell’s Achievement Day Dinner Mar 2nd at the Downtown Marriott 5:30PM
Oakhill Day School’s Gold Rush Silent Auction Mar 4th 7PM 309 E 10th Ave
Liberty Mayor and Council Candidate Forum Mar 9th 6-8PM Liberty City Hall
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
Excelsior Springs’s Sippin’ Into Spring Mar 25th 11AM-5PM
Smithville Alderman Candidate Forum Mar 26th 6-8PM at Humphreys
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 Tribunecreated 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.
Liberty North High School – Mock Interviews: LPS is hosting a Mock Interview Day for Juniors and Seniors on March 14 from 9:15 am – 11:00 am at Liberty North High School. This event will prepare our students for the career world and help them sharpen their interview skills. If you or anyone you know would like to help out as an interviewer, please click here for more information and to sign-up. Interview questions and any other necessary information will be provided to all interviewers upon arrival.
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 4thDistrict 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 2ndcandidates will share their goals March 2nd while the 4thdistrict 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’s Introduction 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.
Snakes Ready to Leave: North Kansas City’s Snake Saturday Parade is more than just a one-day event. To see all the activities, sign up or sponsor, click here.
Child Care Grants: Yesterday, Governor Mike Parson announced that new grant funding is available through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood for eligible child care providers and businesses and/or community partners who want to work together to expand child care in their local community. The Innovation Start-up Grant application is now open on the Child Care Relief Funds website and must be submitted by May 31, 2023.
Our Mid-Continent Public Librariesoffer 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 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
