By David Slater, Executive Director
Royal Truth: If you have been following the local media you would think that the Royals have picked the East Village for their site. The fact is that when the spreadsheet media release was happening Royals’ owner John Sherman and President Brooks Sherman were in a negotiating meeting with our County Commissioners. While the media appears to think of us as a stepchild, the Royals see NKC and the East Village as twins.
Worlds of Fun Merger: According to Worlds of Fun parent company Cedar Fair they are to combine with Six Flags in a “merger of equals”. Read the press release here to get more details and the benefits of the marriage.
Ford Union Vote Sunday: Members of the UAW Local 249 Union will vote on ratifying the agreement this Sunday. Union President Tony Renfro told your EDC that “they are having votes across the country in the next few weeks.” He also “thinks it’s a very good contract.” Ratification of the deal without having to go on strike would be a huge economic development win for our County.
Split PEL Study Completed: The I-29, I-35, US-169 Planning and Environmental Linkages Final Report has been completed. You may read the details here. And you may find this hard to believe, but the next step is another study. The National Environmental Policy Act review is on deck. Your EDC and other Northland leaders are working to raise the necessary funding with the hope that someday we will be looking for money for asphalt and concrete.
Meinke Named Director of Public Health: The Clay County Public Health Center Board of Trustees has formally selected Darrell Meinke as director of public health for Clay County effective January 1st, 2024. Meinke will serve as the director after Gary E. Zaborac announced his retirement at the end of 2023 following 20 years of highly dedicated service to Clay County. Meinke grew up in Kearney, MO and other than attending the University of Missouri for his undergraduate degree has been a lifelong resident of the northland. He began his public health career at the Kansas City Health Department and for the last 18 years has been working at Clay County Public Health Center in a variety of roles. Read more here.
Garrison Celebrates Veterans: The Clay County African American Legacy, Inc and the Clay County Museum will host a Veterans’ Day Program at the Garrison School Cultural Center at 502 N Water in Liberty on November 11th at 10AM. The open to the public event will feature Commander Carlton Philpot of the United States Navy as the guest speaker. Commander Philpot was inducted into the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame in 2022, the first and only Navy person among the more than 200 inductees.
Coffee Connect: This Wednesday we will gather at the North Kansas City iWerx Building at 1520 Clay to hear about Atlas Custom Fitness Solutions. Their brain-based approach sounds easier than physical work but I doubt it. 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.
This Weekend: Excelsior Springs Slightly Off-Broadway Theatre presents The Rocky Horror Show Nov 3rd & 4th
Tomorrow: Pleasant Valley Civic Organization’s Annual Spaghetti Dinner Nov 4th 5-7PM
This Week: 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
Garrison School Cultural Center’s Veterans’ Day Program Nov 11th 10AM 502 N Water in Liberty
RiverNorth’s NKC Fall Fest Nov 11th noon-5PM between 14th and 15th on Swift
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
Mio-Continent Public Library’s rebuilt North Oak Branch dedication ceremony Nov 17th 9AM 8700 N Oak Trfy
Excelsior Springs’ Christmas Kick Off Celebration Nov 18th 10AM-10PM downtown Excelsior
North Kansas City’s Mistletowne Market Nov 18th 6PM and 19th 10AM-4PM
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
North Kansas City Business Council’s Holly Jolly Holiday Food Fest & Silent AuctionNov 20 5:30-7:30 at Harrah’s
North Kansas City’s Mayor’s Tree Lighting Dec 1st 4-5:30PM
Liberty Chamber’s Jingle Bell Bash Dec 2nd 7-10PM featuring Big Show Dueling Pianos
Kearney’s Magical Night Dec 9th 6-9PM downtown Kearney presented by the Kearney Enrichment Council
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).
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
