Look North Nominations: Once a year your EDC recognizes a person who has made an invaluable contribution to economic development in Clay County with our Look North Leadership Award. Past winners are listed on our website. Criteria used in the selection process may include one or all of the following: business achievement; civic leadership; cultural contribution and/or philanthropic commitment in Clay County. Applications are available through Julie Lewis in our office at JulieL@ClayEDC.com.
No Need For ER: Your EDC’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose a certificate of need for HCA Healthcare to build a three-bed, freestanding emergency room at the intersection of Highways 169 and 152. Patients would apparently be treated there and then transported to HCA hospitals Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence or Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Northland hospitals shared the data supporting the dangers of longer transports. We verified their concerns with area first responders. For more information please feel free to reach out to Kristen DeHart kdehart@esmc.org; Dawn Wolff dmwolff@cmh.edu; Nic Riesenberg Nic.Riesenberg@nkch.org; Tony Phillips tony.phillips@libertyhospital.org or Darren Bass dbass@saint-lukes.org. A few years ago Mosaic out of St. Joe attempted something similar and it did not go well.
Exponentially Stupid and Expensive: A 19-year-old nut job from Independence called in a fake threat to the Ford Plant this week. Due to the nature of the call about 200 members of law enforcement were taken off the street as they responded to the plant. One shift of about 2,000 employees was sent home. Another shift was told to stay away. 69 Highway was shut down near the plant. The total financial cost will be in the millions. The stress on law enforcement, even though they are paid to respond, can’t be calculated. The guy wanted to make sure his buddy did not have to work that day. Your EDC knows, but will not use, the nut’s name as he needs no publicity. We do hope that he gets a maximum of seven years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
100 Years of Dunn Influence: William Dunn who turned his dad’s small company, JE Dunn Construction, into a juggernaut turned 100 years old this week. Read more about your EDC’s supporter by clicking here.
Weekend Day Trips in Clay: This week lets visit the Maple Woods Nature Preserve in Gladstone located at 2603 NE 76th St. Although surrounded by the City of Gladstone and the greater Kansas City metro area, Maple Woods is a reminder of the wildlands that once dominated this area just 200 years ago. This old-growth forest is a National Natural Landmark and contains impressive black maple (a variety of sugar maple), northern red, white and bur oaks, bitternut and shagbark hickory, red elm, basswood, black walnut, and white ash. Because of the abundance of sugar maples the fall colors are typically outstanding. However, because sugar maples create such dense shade, as the larger oaks in this stand eventually die off this forest will eventually become dominated by just shade-tolerant trees including maples, bitternut hickory, red elm, and basswood. Oaks require more sun on the forest floor for regeneration. Pawpaws are abundant in the forest’s understory. These small trees are relatives of tropical trees that produce fruits such as the cherimoya. The pawpaw is the largest tree fruit native to the U.S. The ripe fruits can be eaten or used in making a custard or pie-filling, but some people are allergic to this fruit.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we are going to hear the story of Jack Spooner who founded and owns Paradise Productions in North Kansas City. We’ll see how they can bring your event to life. We’ll meet at the shop at 104 W 10th Avenue in North Kansas City. Networking begins at 7:45 with the presentation at 8.
Things To Do in Clay: Your EDC’s Friday Facts is your go-to read to see what is happening in our County.
Daily: Worlds of Fun continues their 50th anniversary with their 50 Nights of Fire through August 12th.
Tonight: Briarcliff Business Partners Alliance’s The Best Bite July 214:30-8:30PM The Royal Room at Briarcliff Village
Tonight: Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Brass Rewind July 21st 7PM
Tomorrow: Gladstones Linden Square presents Puss in Boots: The Last Wish July 22nd 7:45PM
Tomorrow: Screenland Armour Theatre’s outdoor movie this Saturday is The Princess Bride
This Week: Northland Chamber’s Golf Tournament July 26th 8AM at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex in Smithville
This Week: Historic Downtown Liberty’s presents Girls Night Out July 27th 4-8PM
This Week: Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson’s 4-H Mini Day Camp From Seeds to Supper July 27th 10-12
BITS Bull Riding in Kearney July 28th & 29th at the Jesse James Farm 5PM
Liberty’s Popcorn in the Park July 28th 6PM at Liberty Community Center featuring Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
North Kansas City’s Movie in the Park July 28th 9PM featuring Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at Macken Park
Gladstones Linden Square presents Damien Gunn July 28th 7PM
Excelsior Springs’ Slightly off-Broadway Theatre presents Bye, Bye Birdie July 28th & 29th
Gladstone Theatre in the Park features Cinderella Aug 4th-6th 8PM at the Gladstone Amphitheater
Liberty Parks & Rec Foundation’s 11th Tee It Up Fore Parks golf tournament -WinterStone Golf Course Aug 11th at 8AM
NKC’s Friday Night Concert August 11th 5:30 with Ain’t Misbehavin’s and Surfin’ USA at Macken Park
Kearney’s Second Saturdays August 12th
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson’s Big Shoal Farm Sunflower Field Festival Aug 12th 10-3
Kearney Amphitheater presents The Phil Collins Experience Aug 19th at 7:30PM
Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Third Saturday Wine Tours August 19th 10:30-5
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson’s Restoration Run Aug 19th 8AM
School Vaccinations: School vaccinations will be available at the KCMO Health Clinic at Northland Neighborhoods Inc.’swalk-in-clinic July 22nd from 9AM-1PM and August 10th from 2-7PM. If you would like to make an appointment please call 816-513-6108. NNI is located at 53410 NE Chouteau Trafficway.
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 , Northland Christian and Platte County R-3 (yes, part of their district is in Clay County).
Farmers’ Markets: It’s that time of the year when the farmers’ markets start popping up. Here are the ones your EDC found in Clay County. Kearney, Lawson, Smithville, Gladstone, Liberty, Downtown Liberty and Excelsior Springs. Simply click on the location for more information.
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
