By David Slater, Executive Director
Show Royal Support Tonight: 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 tonight to watch them play the reigning World Champion Houston Astros. Commissioner Wagner will be with his family and friends at the Field Level Plaza section 240 row CC. He says Royals President Brooks Sherman will pay us a visit. The first 50 people get shirts with “Let’s Go Royals…to Clay County”. Even though Commissioner Wagner did not arrange it, the weather will be perfect.
This Seldom Happens: HCA’s attempt to build a three-bed emergency room near Highways 152 and 169 was denied a certificate of need by the CON Committee last Tuesday. Your EDC Board of Directors opposed this proposal from the start and during the testimony it became very clear how on target they were. A lot of numbers were put on the table but the bottom line in our opinion is that our first responders, those who actually pick you up in an ambulance, thought this was a bad idea. It was a privilege to testify in opposition. People are realizing that Clay County and the Northland as a whole are a great place to come to and your EDC Board will continue to make sure that development is beneficial to all of us.
Fallen Officer’s Mortgage Paid: Our friends at Kearney’s KPGZ News reported that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid the mortgage in full for the family of a fallen Kansas City Missouri Police Officer in honor of the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. James Muhlbauer, a 20-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department, and his K9 partner Champ were killed in the line of duty earlier this year. Muhlbauer left behind a wife and two children. His wife, Cassie, said Tunnel to Towers’ support is life-changing.
The 587 Project Discussion: Last week there was quite a bit of publicity about a large portion of the land for your EDC’s 587 Project being put on the market. We have known about this for weeks but chose not to make any public statement at this time. We are very excited about our “game changer for the Metro and attitude adjustment for the Northland” but the Olsson Plan has not even been adopted by Kansas City. The interest in this project continues to be amazing, but it is our job to make sure it is done right and that starts with the Council voting on the Olsson Plan.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we are headed to Occu-tec to hear Skuli Gudmundsson tell us about Environmental Training and Consulting at 2604 NE Industrial Lane Suite 230 in North Kansas City. Skuli’s personal story is as good as his professional journey. 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: Kearney’s Jesse James Festival 15-17th at the Jesse James Park
Tonight: Gladstone’s Linden Squarepresents Retroactive Sep 15th at 7PM
Tonight: Worlds of Fun’s famous Haunt runs tonight through Oct 28th
Tomorrow: Screenland Armour Theatre’s outdoor movie Saturday 8PM Big Trouble in Little China
Tomorrow: Clay County Public Health Centerpresents Family Fun Day Sep 16 -10AM–2PM Macken Park
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Big Shoal Farm’s Pumpkin Field Festival Sep 16th 10AM-3PM
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Third Saturday Wine Tours September 16th 10:30-5
Tomorrow: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch opens through October 30th
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Atkins-Johnson’s Farm – Pickin’ On the Front Porch Bluegrass Concert Sep 16th 7PM
This Week: The Builders Innovation Expo 2023 Sep 19th 8-11AM 105 W 12th Ave North Kansas City
Gladstone’s Linden Squarepresents Jimmy Harris Band Sep 22nd at 7PM
Liberty’s Fall Festival Sep 22-24 on the Historic Downtown Liberty Square
Smithville’s Backyard BBQ BashSep 23 9AM-5PM in downtown Smithville
Gladstone’s Big Shoal Farm’sCountry Fair Sep 23rd 10AM-3PM
Gladstone’s Gladfest Sep 26th-Oct 1st at Linden Square
Gladstone’s Scarecrow Run Oct 1stat 7:30AM 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
Kearney’s Oktoberfest Oct 7th 12-8PM at Lions Park
Gladstone’s Linden Squarepresents Whiskey Fest Oct 7th at 7PM
Look North Tickets Available: As we previously announced 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.
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, Lawsonand 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 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 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
