By David Slater, Executive Director
Look North to Ora Reynolds: Your EDC is proud to announce that Hunt Midwest President and CEO Ora Reynolds is the recipient of our 2023 Look North Award. Please take a minute or two to click on her name and read about her amazing career and impact on Clay County. In 2005 her Hunt Midwest mentor Lee Derrough earned the Look North. In a letter to Ora, EDC Chairwoman and Harrah’s SVP & GM Julie Sola said, “It was seriously the best part of my day to share with you that you will be amongst an elite group of individuals that have had such a significant impact on the Northland.” As great leaders do, Ora shared the honor “I owe it all to the amazing people I have worked with to accomplish so much. It takes a village!”
Royals Renderings: The Royals released pictures and videos of their North Kansas City location. Take a look by clicking here. And a big thank you to Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for taking a tour yesterday. It is interesting how legitimate media sources are giving credence to polls unfavorable to the North Kansas City site when no one knows what the ask will be. Northland leaders, including your EDC, will make sure anyone interested in getting the facts will have that opportunity. In the meantime you can get your facts here.
NorthPoint’s Ascent: Congratulations to NorthPoint Development as well as the Northland for gaining approval of their Ascent Apartments plan this week. With their world headquarters at 3315 N Oak, the Ascent will be built right behind the office. This project not only adds much needed density to the North Oak corridor but also will be home to the many people deciding that both living and working in Clay County is a great choice.
Senator Hoskins District Tour: Following redistricting, Senator Denny Hoskinsnow represents the east and northern part of our County. Senator Hoskins has agreed to take a tour this Monday with your EDC. We will visit County officials and then head to Liberty, Lawson, Excelsior Springs, Kearney and Smithville. We may just have to go by the future site of the Royals.
KCI Regional Transit: The Mid America Regional Council would like your opinion on KCI regional transit options. Please click here for more information and to take the survey.
Ag Strategy Survey: Are you connected to agriculture in Missouri or know someone who is? @MOSourceLink and the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission want to hear about business needs and the challenges facing those in ag so they can better help them succeed. Take the 10-minute questionnaire here: http://bit.ly/moagsurvey
NKC Hospital Golden: North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health has received the highest honors awarded by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for participating in Get With the Guidelines® and Mission: Lifeline®. Among NKCH and MH’s six awards are a first-ever Gold Plus Award for Heart Failure Care and a second consecutive Gold Plus Award for Stroke Care. Read more here.
Weekend Day Trips in Clay: As summer wraps up with only one more weekend before Labor Day let’s take a trip to Mt. Gilead Church and School at 15918 Plattsburg Road in Kearney. The school offers a unique field trip opportunity to experience history in a one-room school. A teacher in period costume instructs the class in late 1880s style with McGuffey’s readers. Students use slates to practice penmanship and arithmetic. The four-hour program accommodates up to thirty participants. The church is used as a wedding venue. Call 816-736-8500 for more information.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we are going to see Mike and Benay Shannon of Restless Spirits and learn how they make their Irish spirits. Restless Spirits is located at 109 E 18th 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.
Tonight: Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Vigil Annie August 25th 7PM
Tomorrow: Screenland Armour Theatre’s outdoor movie this Saturday is Labyrinth
Tomorrow: Smithville’s Hot Summer Nights Aug 26th featuring Casi Joy at Courtyard Park
Tomorrow: Smithville Education Foundation’s presents Green Tie Gala Aug 26th 7-10PM The First Creek Farm
Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Flashback Sep 1st
Liberty’s Corbin Theatre presents Jazz at the Garrison Sep 4th 6-8PM
Historic Downtown Liberty presents Girls Night Out Sep 7th 4-8PM
Briarcliff Business Partner Alliance’s Briarfest Sept 8-9 At Macken Park with music, food, brews and fun
Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Funk Syndicate Sep 8th
Smithville’s Community in Action 5K Sep 9th at 8:30AM in Downtown Smithville
Kearney’s Jesse James Festival Sep 8-9th and 15-17th at the Jesse James Farm
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch open through October 30th
Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Fiesta on the Square Sep 9th
Gladstone’s Big Shoal Farm’s Pumpkin Field Festival Sep 16th 10AM-3PM
Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Third Saturday Wine Tours September 16th 10:30-5
Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson’s Farm presents Pickin’ On the Front Porch Bluegrass Concert Aug 19th 7PM
Liberty’s Fall Festival Sep 22-24 on the Historic Downtown Liberty Square
Smithville’s Backyard BBQ Bash Sep 23 9AM-5PM in downtown Smithville
Gladstone’s Big Shoal Farm’s Country Fair Sep 23rd 10AM-3PM
Gladstone’s Gladfest Sep 26th-Oct 1st at Linden Square
Kearney’s Harvest Gala Sep 28th 6-9PM at the Tobacco Barn Farm
Excelsior Springs’ Mug Shots Sep 30th Noon-5PM in downtown Excelsior Springs
Visit Clay New Website: Clay County’s Tourism and Marketing Coordinator Megan Sahlfeld has updated the. Find things to do, places to stay and what’s new. If your event is not listed contact Megan at msahlfeld@claycountymo.gov. You can also follow on Facebook.
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 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 7.614% for ten years, 7.061% for 20 years and 6.989% 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.
David Slater, Executive Director davids@clayedc.com
7001 N. Locust, Suite B101 – Gladstone MO 64118 – (816)468-4989
