Todd Receives the Pinnacle Award: Northland leader Ellen Todd, President of Curry Real Estate Services received the Northland Community Foundation’s Pinnacle Service Award last Friday by exemplifying civic pride, leadership, individual and neighborhood caring and making substantial charitable contributions. Ellen became the first person to be a second generation winner following her dad, Ray Brock, who won the award in 2017.
Mecklenburg Recognized with Trailhead: Also honored last Friday was long-time Kansas City Parks Commissioner David Mecklenburg when the trailhead at the Happy Rock Trail along Maple Woods Greenway was named after him. Dave served on the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners from 2011-2021. Since that time he has been leading the Clay County Parks Board.
LPS and Mayor James Synergy Kind: Last Friday evening Synergy Services hosted their “Kindest Kansas Citian Awards”. Liberty Public Schools received the Rita Blitt Kindest Schools recognition for the Metro-wide competition. What makes us even more Northland proud is the fact that the North Kanas City School District won the 2022 Award. Northlander and former Kansas City Mayor Sly James was acknowledged as an Honorary Star.
Zoo Aquarium Named: Your EDC does understand that the Kansas City Zoo is not in Clay County. We also know that our 1/8 cent sales tax generated $5,675,176.34 for the zoo last year and that former EDC Chair Greg Canuteson now Chairs the Zoological District Commissioners which also includes Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte. EDC Past Chair Advisor Tony Reinhart serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors which also includes First District Councilwoman Heater Hall. Barnett and Shirley Helzberg were large benefactors for the aquarium. Since the Penguin Plaza bears their name they decided the new aquarium should have a different moniker. The new 650,000-gallon aquatic endeavor will be known as the Sobela Ocean Aquarium. Their grandkids names you ask? Sawyer, Oliver, Benton, Elias, Leo, Amelia and Arthur…pretty clever.
Nonprofit Grant Guidelines: The Department of Economic Development (DED) has posted final guidelines for its Nonprofit Grant Program. The program is funded via the State of Missouri’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This program will invest $7.5 million to support 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) nonprofits serving disadvantaged, vulnerable, or at-risk populations that have experienced negative economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are expected to open May 31 at 10 a.m. CST. Complete information is also available on DED’s ARPA Business and Community Development webpage.
Entertainment Industry Grant Program: DED’s ARPA Entertainment Industry Grant Program opened for applications yesterday. You can apply now using the MO DED ARPA Federal Initiatives Submission Manager. Please note that you will need to sign up for a Submittable account to apply.
Coffee Connect: Lisa Pena, founder of Urban Hikes Kansas City, is the guest speaker at next week’s Coffee Connect. Networking begins at 7:45AM with the program at 8 at the North Kansas City iWerx 1520 Clay Street.
Still Four Pups: Maple Woods Vet Tech School still has four dogs. You can meet your new best friend by clicking 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:
Tonight: North Kansas City’s Friday Night Concert May 12th 6-9PM – Macken Park –Goddesses of Rock
Tomorrow: Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum’s Afternoon Tea May 13th Registration required.
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Trolley Wine Tour May 13th 10:30-5
Gladstone’s Summertime Bluesfest May 19-20 at Linden Square
North Kansas City’s Brandon Russell’s Flash Dash May 20th 9AM at 18th and Fayette
Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Third Saturday Wine Tours May 20th 10:30-5
Excelsior Springs Healthcare Foundation Golf Tournament June 2nd at 8AM
Excelsior Springs’ Slightly off Broadway Theatre – Twelve Angry Men June 3rd – 4th
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).
Congressmen Military Academy Nominations: Congressmen Sam Graves and Emanuel Cleaver have opened the application process to enter a military service institution. Click here for more information on Congressman Graves and here for the details on Congressman Cleaver.
Jewell Leadership Training: Jewell Unlimited works with organizations as a function of their team to develop high impact, low-cost training. The team has over 40 years of teaching and instruction to bring to your team. Their learning solutions include online video libraries, certificate programs, and workshops. This is in addition to the Organizational Leadership Certificate provided for years in partnership with your EDC. For the Leadership, click here. For Jewell Unlimited, click here.
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.
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 6.506% for ten years, 6.410% for 20 years and 6.320% 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.
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 of 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 Specialist juliel@clayedc.com
Ethen Pineda, Loan Officer EthenP@clayedc.com
7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
