By David Slater, Executive Director
Ford Reaches Tentative Agreement: Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers have a tentative agreement that needs to pass through a couple of steps before being ratified. This is great news for Clay County as the UAW249 did not strike at the Claycomo plant. The plant not only employs about 7,200 but studies have shown that there are seven jobs for each UAW position, amounting to 50,000 workers.
Look North Today: Your EDC appreciates all of you joining us to honor Ora Reynolds at the Look North Luncheon today at 11:30 at Harrah’s in North Kansas City. North Kansas City Hospital-Meritas Health and NorthPoint Development at the gold-level and Hunt Midwest,Oak Hill Day School, The Full Employment Council, CBRE and Olsson at the silver level are our sponsors.
Fixing the KC Bus System: Missouri State Statute 238.060 addresses the Kansas City area transportation authority. Section 2.(1) states “ If the current commissioner or the position which has become vacant was appointed from Platte or Clay County, the county commission of the county shall submit a panel of three persons who are residents of that county and of any city, town or village, including the city of Kansas City, Missouri, that has appropriated funds for operations of the Kansas City area transportation authority in its current or immediately preceding fiscal year, selected by a majority vote of the commission, to the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, who shall appoint with the approval of a majority of the members of the city council of the city of Kansas City, Missouri, a successor;” Unfortunately the three names submitted by Presiding Commissioners Jerry Nolte of Clay and Scott Fricker of Platte were not selected giving them pause to support the transit tax on the November ballot. Your EDC has reached across the Metro to possibly take a look at a regional system originally envisioned. Northland leader Deb Hermann, CEO of Northland Neighborhoods Inc., has organized neighborhoods across Kansas City to form Neighborhoods United. These leaders understand the issues and want answers too. We also know that there is another Northland-specific plan in case there is no agreement.
NCC Mock Interviews: The Northland Career Center is hosting mock interviews for their Aviation students on October 31st and their IT Professionals on November 2nd. The morning sessions are from 8:30-10:30 with the afternoon interviews from 11:45-2:00. Your EDC understands that we are all busy, but it is so important to develop our future workforce so we hope you are able to join us. Please reach out to Teresa Ryun, NCC SkillsUSA Co-Lead Advisor at 816-858-5505 or ryunt@platteco.k12.mo.us.
Congressman Graves in Kearney: Missouri 6th District Congressman Sam Graves, the Chairman of the United States Congress’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will join Kearney Mayor Randy Pogue for a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new I-35 at 19th Street Interchange will be dedicated November 2nd at 9:30AM. The new intersection will be a huge boost to Kearney and its economy. Read more about the project here.
Meet Sheriff Akin: The Clay County Sheriff’s Office will host a town hall where you will get to know more about the department from Sheriff Will Akin at our Woodneath Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Libraries 8900 NE Flintlock Road from 6-7PM on November 2nd. He will also explain the need for the 911 tax on our November ballot.
Outdoor Adventures: If you are not going out to see Mother Nature you are missing an opportunity to see our scenic county and also a chance for a little downtime while getting exercise. For ideas, here is the latest Missouri Conservation Magazine.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we will gather at the North Kansas City iWerx Building at 1520 Clay to hear how Christy and Gary Schnieders turned a romance into a staffing business named WorkSource. Networking begins at 7:45 with the hour-long presentation at 8AM.
Fun Things To Do in Clay: Your EDC’s Friday Facts is your go-to read to see what is happening in our County.
Tomorrow: KCPD CARE Team Holiday Mart Oct 28th 9AM-4PM KCPD Academy 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Rd
Tomorrow: Gladstone’s Big Shoal Farm’s Pumpkin Days 10AM-4PM Saturdays until they are gone
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs Community Center Fall Festival Oct 28th 6-8PM
Tomorrow: The Dakota Rogers Project presents Barktastic Fun(draiser) Oct 28th 1-5PM
Tomorrow: Excelsior Springs’ Witch Way to the Wine Oct 28th 12-5PM Downtown Excelsior
This Week: Worlds of Fun’s famous Haunt runs tonight through Oct 28th
This Week: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch opens through October 30th
This Week: Liberty Public Schools Community Breakfast Nov 2nd 7AM
This Week: Kearney 19th Street Ribbon Cutting Nov 2nd at 9:30AM with Congressman Graves
This Week: Historic Downtown Liberty’s Girls Night Out Nov 2nd 4-8PM
Excelsior Springs Slightly Off-Broadway Theatre presents The Rocky Horror Show Nov 3rd& 4th
Pleasant Valley Civic Organization’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner Nov 4th 5-7PM
Liberty North High School presets The Wizard of Oz Nov 8th-11th
Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives’ Annual Dinner Nov 9th 5:30PM
Smithville Main Street District’s Wine Walk & Christmas Market Nov 11th 2-5:30PM
Northland Chamber’s Annual Auction Nov 15th 5-8PM at the Argosy Casino
Liberty High School presents The Addams Family Nov 16th-18th
Gladstone’s new Police Department ribbon cutting Nov 17th 10AM at City Hall
Excelsior Springs Chamber’s Third Saturday Wine Tours Nov 18th 10:30-5
Liberty High School Exit 1-6 Improv Performance Nov 21st
Liberty North High School BBFP Improv Performance Nov 21st
Gladstone Mayor’s Christmas Tree lighting at Linden Square Nov 28th 6PM
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, Lawson 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
