E-NEWS FROM THE LEE'S SUMMIT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL March 2002. Volume 1, Edition 4

What do the professionals think of Lee’s Summit’s mix and supply of available industrial, commercial and retail space? That’s what many are asking so we’ll ask the experts at our April 10 Quarterly Investor Meeting. Commercial real-estate executives from the major metro firms will participate in a panel discussion at the Summit Inn luncheon which begins at 11:45. Bring your questions and comments. The meeting is shaping up to be an interesting discussion on how our community stacks up against the competition.

Please RSVP to kblomberg@leessummit.org.

Take time to study the issues and vote April 2. The quality of our schools has always been a major selling tool for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council. Businesses want to locate and expand in communities that support quality public education.

To learn more about the bond and levy proposals, check www.buildingourfuture.net.

In January the health care provider announced plans to relocate 105 support and administrative staff to the former Payless space inside Summit Technology Campus. The move is expected to be complete later this spring.

Now, St. Luke’s has filed applications with the state to build a 52-bed facility St. Luke’s Hospital Lee’s Summit at Douglas and I-470. 

The EDC board has been asked to consider taking an official position of support on the St. Luke’s hospital project. We will consider the matter, and our general posture of neutrality on political and civic matters, at our May 11 Board Meeting. If you have an opinion, let us know what you think.

We took the officials by the Pfizer plant, Grand Business Park, Executive Lakes,

Prior to the Lee’s Summit leg, my economic development counterparts from Independence and Blue Springs showcased their top properties including a 300-acre “ready-to-go” industrial/commercial site in Independence and the 1800 acre master-planned Adams Dairy Parkway area in Blue Springs.

The coming issue of Ingram’s magazine includes an article that recognizes Lee’s Summit’s streamlined permitting procedures.

Several civic and development leaders are discussing the issue as a lead-in to this excerpt:

Lee Harris asked one other pointed question, "What is the best municipality for doing business?" Several participants volunteered the same answer at the same time. There were no other candidates.

"Lee's Summit."

"They've got the process down," said Dan Lowe. "In Lee's Summit "permitting" is a 30 day process. In Kansas City, Missouri, it's probably a year and 30 days."

Swetnam suggested that the city's tax base was heavily residential, and that
they needed the business. "The common point," clarified Block, "is that
they want the business." He added, "Kansas City, Missouri has the opposite
viewpoint."

Here’s an LSEDC tip of the hat to everyone at City Hall who works hard making our city succeed in the competitive marketplace.

What’s to be done with the 250,000 square foot manufacturing plant and 104 acre Pfizer  site that will close in 2003? While it’s unfortunate the plant is closing at all, we are grateful to Pfizer for the long lead time it is providing us to seek out and attract a replacement company for their location. 

Recently LSEDC Board Member Jon Plaas and I toured the facility along with a representative of George Butler and Associates. Our goal was

to see what kinds of uses would fit within the plant that currently produces animal health products.  Clearly this is a property with limited potential uses but it has great highway and rail access and significant utility capacity. Any thoughts you may have would certainly be welcome.

Thanks to Pfizer’s Team Leader Dave Burton, for working with us on developing options for the facility and the land.

Our new mission statement is more concise and pertinent to our work: 

“To attract and retain business by partnering with allies to create and market a high quality of life, pro-business community.”

We also added focus and specificity to our four primary strategies:

We will work to retain and expand existing businesses with the goal of being the “go-to-ally” for primary job producing firms needing assistance.

We will strive to attract targeted, higher paying industry with the goal of being the regional leader in attracting quality targeted industries which contribute to the Lee’s Summit tax base.

We will generate a positive community image with the goal of creating a brand image that establishes Lee’s Summit as the Midwest’s “quality of life” leader.

More information about the work plan is available on our website, www.leessummit.org.

On March 26 and 27 I’ll participate in the Governor’s “Housing for the Entry-Level Workforce” conference in Columbia.  We will discuss the challenges of creating entry level workforce housing in growing suburban communities and the difficulties that presents for economic development.