PARTNERS

We’ve had a hand in making Clay County one of the best places to work & live, but we haven’t done it alone! Our partners’ contributions are essential to our work and the vitality of Clay County as a whole. 

Midwest Small Business Finance

Midwest Small Business Finance (the Clay/Platte Development Corporation) is certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to package, close, and service loans under the 504 Program.
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Working with financial institutions and other supports, MSBF promotes business growth and development throughout Northwest Missouri utilizing a range of economic development financing programs that offer advantages for entrepreneurs and small business owners as well as traditional lending instutions.

Find more information here.

Doniphan Leadership Institute

The Clay County EDC and the Pryor Center for Leadership Development partner together to offer this exclusive program for developing advanced leaders in Clay County and the Greater Kansas City area.
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Doniphan Leadership Institute Fellows are the leaders and visionaries of a dynamic and vibrant Greater Kansas City metropolitan area and business community.

This exclusive program is a six-month executive training program focused on leadership development and vision. Key elements of the program includes leadership development theory, 360- Degree Feedback Assessment with consultation, in-depth group discussions, and experiential learning activities.

The program also features personal interaction with leaders focusing on vision and executive leadership. Consultants, mentors, and professional trainers with specialized skills and backgrounds deliver the program to the participants.

The Doniphan Leadership Institute is creating a new visionary leaders by providing the highest quality of facilitators, information, and guest lecturers. The participants of the Doniphan Leadership Institute are challenged to see beyond their current vision: to see into the broader community and to create a vision for “the greater good.”

Program Focus:

  • Clarity – Define your unique leadership DNA.
  • Confidence – Develop your leadership strengths with the right tools.
  • Community – Immerse yourself into a group that will help you grow as a leader and a visionary.

Program Format:

The Doniphan Leadership Institute is an integrated program tailored to individuals who want to be the future leaders of their organizations.

The program consists of six one-day meetings that are held over a six-month period. There will be over 100 hours of classroom instruction and out-of-class project work.

Program Times 8:30 am – 4:30pm

Credits for Participation 3 Credit Hours from William Jewell College (transferable) CEU Credits = 6

Curriculum coordinated by The Pryor Center for Leadership Development, a distinctive service of William Jewell College. More information is available on this web page. The Doniphan Leadership Institute is an exclusive program of the Clay County Economic Development Council designed to promote and expand the mission and purpose of the Clay County EDC.

Leadership Institute Topics

  • Personal Growth Plan
  • 360 Feedback Assessment w/ Consultation
  • Behavioral/Personality Inventory
  • Situational Leadership Theory
  • Avoiding Career Derailment
  • Breakdown Management
  • Leading Through Change
  • Team Development Skills
  • Servant Leadership
  • Facilitative Leadership Skills/Coaching

northland education & business alliance

The Northland Education & Business Alliance is a collaborative effort involving all of Clay and Platte counties public and private school districts working in conjunction with the EDC. Founded by the EDC's Marketing Committee, the Northland Education & Business Alliance stresses the outstanding quality of Northland schools and the large range of choices, including top-ranked public schools and prestigious private organizations.
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The Northland Education & Business Alliance provides detailed information on area schools that is valuable for local residents and those interested in the Northland.

NEBA provides opportunities for schools and businesses to partner across many sectors including Manufacturing/Production, Construction, Building & Equipment Maintenance, Logistics, Healthcare, Hospitality/Tourism, Technology, Finance, Marketing, Business, & Sales industries.

For more information visit the NEBA’s website.

Clay County is fortunate to host some of the area’s best public school districts. The area is also home to nationally honored William Jewell College and Maple Woods Community College.

Area public school districts include highly ranked North Kansas City, Liberty, Excelsior Springs, Kearney and Smithville. Neighboring Platte County has the Park Hill School District and the Platte County R-III District. All of these districts provide both quality education and important community focus.

Mid-continent public library

Mid-Continent Public Library is a consolidated library district and tax-supported political subdivision that serves nearly 800,000 people in the greater Kansas City metro area. The Library is governed by a 12-member Board of Trustees, which includes four representatives from each of the three counties in its district—Clay, Jackson, and Platte. For over 50 years, MCPL has been striving to provide customers with the best possible library experience.
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KCSOurceLink

KCSourceLink helps aspiring startups and established businesses find the right business resources to start, scale or accelerate.
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AltCap

AltCap exists to increase the flow of capital to communities and businesses not adequately served by mainstream financial institutions. Whether it is through the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program, small business and microloans, or other alternative capital, AltCap is committed to delivering accessible financing to support job-creating small business investments and catalytic, community-focused real estate development projects. AltCap is an affiliate organization of Community Capital Fund, a nonprofit that invests in innovative and measurable asset-based community development, and equity2, an impact investment firm.
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greater kc area economic development councils

The Clay County EDC maintains a collaborative effort with other area development organizations that cooperate to maximize their communications efforts.
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This unique effort allows a wide range of Clay County organizations to cooperate in important fields such as marketing, legislative communications and other activities.

Priorities include include standardizing and simplifying area development regulations

Members include:
• The Clay EDC
• Gladstone Economic Development Department
• Kansas City Economic Development Corporation
• The City of Excelsior Springs You may also call Director Melinda Mehaffy at (816) 630-9594 or email MMEHAFFY@ci.excelsior-springs.mo.us
• The Kearney Area Development Council
• The Liberty Economic Development Corporation
• The North Kansas City Business Council
• The North Kansas City Office of Economic Development
• The Smithville Economic Development