By David Slater, Executive Director
Show Royal Support Next Friday: Clay County Commissioner Scott Wagner had the idea that we should rally Northland residents and business to show support for the Kansas City Royals before they make the decision on where to move. We’ll be gathering September 15th to watch them play the reining World Champion Houston Astros. Per Commissioner Wagner, “This really is meant to be an organic effort. I’m hopeful that we can demonstrate that there is a groundswell of interest in the team targeting that evening.” Your EDC gets the fact that the Royals have had better years but at the same time tell you that their young talent is really good and that Bobby Witt Jr. is worth the price of admission.
Mahomes at Harrah’s Today: Patrick Mahomes Sr. (he’s still a former professional athlete) will be at Harrah’s, 1 Riverboat Dr. North Kansas City Mo at noon today. He will help unveil the “15-87, Touchdown” heart by artist Mike Savage as part of the city’s Parade of Hearts. The “15-87, Touchdown” features images of football legends Patrick Mahomes on one side and Travis Kelce on the other. The $9,000 bid proceeds will go to various non-profit organizations in the KC community.
Briarfest Dunk Tank: Briarfest is this weekend at Macken Park in North Kansas City. They have asked me to sit on the dunk tank at 11AM Saturday. I won’t even bring a change of clothes because none of you could toss a ball both hard enough and accurate enough to hit the release. Fortunately I get to sit behind a screen so your wild throws won’t hit me. Take a look at the activities here.
Construction Innovation Expo: Our friends at the Builders Training Center are hosting Innovation Expo 2023 at their home at 105 W 12th Ave in North Kansas City. Exhibitors will be on-site to demo the latest in construction technology to industry professionals looking for the best solutions to help their businesses. Exhibitors in attendance will demonstrate solutions in everything from virtual design and construction modeling, asset management, and innovative solutions for increased productivity. Free for members and nonmembers, but you must register! Click here to register. For more information or to be a sponsor, click here.
Look North Tickets Available: As we announced last week Hunt MidwestPresident and CEO Ora Reynolds is the recipient of our 2023 Look North Award. The luncheon will be October 27th at 11:30 at Harrah’s in North Kansas City. Tickets are $60 with a table of eight for $450. Information on sponsorships is available by calling your EDC at 816-468-4989 or JulieL@ClayEDC.com. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
The Endless Game: The good news is that a new Guinness Book of World Records was set in North Kansas City over Labor Day Weekend. The better news is that nobody got sick as they played 100 innings of baseball with temperatures in the 90’s. Of course your EDC had to take a look and the play was pretty dang good. The sad thing is that the donations are not close to the $300,000 they set as a fundraising goal for some local charities. The bidding ended yesterday.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we are headed back to the North Kansas City iWerx at 1520 Clay Street to hear from Laura Crowley the General Manager of Crowley Furniture. When large furniture stores moved to the metro, many family businesses called it a day. Not Laura and her family. They took the challenge straight up and expanded their Liberty store to Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Overland Park. Laura was recently recognized as a 2023 Women Who Mean Business by the Kansas City Business Journal. You won’t want to miss her story. Networking begins at 7:45 with the presentation at 8.
Fun Things To Do in Clay: Your EDC’s Friday Facts is your go-to read to see what is happening in our County.
This Weekend: Briarcliff Business Partner Alliance’s Briarfest Sept 8-9 at Macken Park with music, food, brews and fun
This Weekend: Kearney’s Jesse James Festival Sep 8-9th and 15-17th at the Jesse James Farm
Tonight: Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Funk Syndicate Sep 8th
Tomorrow: Screenland Armour Theatre’s outdoor movie this Saturday at 8PM is Star Wars-The Empire Strikes Back
Tomorrow: Smithville’s Community in Action 5K Sep 9th at 8:30AM in Downtown Smithville
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Fiesta on the Square Sep 9th
This Week: Northland Neighborhoods Inc presents The Eyes of Tammy Fayefor their Muffin & a Movie Sep 13th at 9AM in the Raymond R Brock Jr. Hall. Please call Terri at 816-454-2000
Gladstone’s Linden Square presents Retroactive Sep 15th at 7PM
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
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch open Sep 16th through October 30th
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, Oakhill Day School, 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
