|
|
|
 |
|
E-NEWS FROM THE LEE'S SUMMIT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
June 2005. Volume 3, Edition 10 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Meet Congressman Cleaver on
August 3 |
|
Join us for
a first hand report from our Congressman, Emanuel Cleaver, at a special monthly
lunch meeting on Wednesday, August 3 from 11:45-1:15 at Truman Medical Center-
Lakewood. Congressman Cleaver will bring us up to date on his efforts to help
Eastern Jackson County; his opinions on doing business on the Hill, and federal
issues of importance to us all. Space is limited, so please register early by
using this email link to contact
Shannan Godley, or call 816-525-6617. |
 |
|
Annual
Membership Meeting and Year-End Prospect Wrap-Up |
|
Prospects for new and expanding businesses in Greater Kansas City, and
Lee’s Summit specifically, will be covered at the LSEDC’s Annual
Membership meeting July 6 at Paradise Park. Tim Cowden, Senior Vice
President of the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC),
and Jim Devine talk about regional prospect activity and how Lee’s
Summit stacks up with site seekers. We’ll introduce you to the new 2005
– 06 officers, leave plenty of time for you ask questions, and learn
what Lee’s Summit can do to attract more projects. Space is limited to
145 people, so register early by emailing
Shannan Godley or call 816-525-6617. |
|
|
|
|
|
Local
Companies Planning to Expand |
 |
|
What would you
say if you found out 61 companies were looking to create over 1,200 jobs and add
750,000 square feet of space in Lee’s Summit in the next 3 years? Believe it or
not, it’s true. Based on the findings of our
Business Retention and Expansion
Report, 61 Lee’s Summit-based companies indicated that due to the positive
attributes of being located here, they are planning or seriously considering
sizable expansions within the next several years. That’s great news for our
community and validation of the adage that most economic development growth
comes from within. In fact, just during the last few weeks, several local
companies (none of them in the survey) have called indicating needs for over
120,000 sf! This is a great sign of economic recovery and confidence in Lee’s
Summit’s pro-business climate. |
|
|
|
|
|
On June
9, city staff presented to the Mayor and Council a map inventorying development
projects in the pipeline. Briefly: 22 projects, over 2,000,000 sf of proposed
retail projects and 3,865 single- and mixed-use dwelling units! This is an
amazing pipeline and, as noted by several observers, it will be a very busy year
with projects competing for staff, council and development incentives! The
largest development is the proposed mixed use, retail, residential, cultural
centers for properties on the intersection of Hwy 291 S and Hwy 50. Over
1,000,000 sf are contemplated in phases just for this area! For an electronic
jpeg file of this map,
CLICK
HERE to email your request.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You’ll be
among the first to receive our FY 04-05 Annual Report when you come to the
Annual Membership Meeting on July 6 or the special meeting with Congressman
Cleaver on August 3. The report features our results, projects, leaders and
investors for the past 12 months. If you cannot make the meetings, you can
access the report here after July 8. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consistent funding is the lifeblood of any not-for-profit organization. Having
several sources of revenues helps balance the ups and downs of our economic
cycles. That’s why a strong public–private partnership such as LSEDC’s is a
model whereby a balance of funding sources contribute to more effective
budgeting and program implementation. For some time, LSEDC has been working to
bring stronger private-sector funding to the organization to supplement the
outstanding commitment we have received from the City, the school districts and
others. Today, it is gratifying to announce that
Vira
Cor/MiraCell Holdings has stepped up to the plate in a
big way by investing over $7,500 in the LSEDC. They join
Pfizer as the
only two private sector firms in this rare atmosphere, but they would like to
have more company in this category! Viracor/Miracell is one of our community’s
fastest growing companies. Led by serial entrepreneur Phillip Short, we can
expect great things from this gazelle of a company. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteers Wanted |
|
|
The
City of Lee’s Summit will be assembling a task force to evaluate the
feasibility of an arts and cultural center for Lee’s Summit. Task force
members will consist of appointees from organizations such as the
Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council, and the Lee’s Summit Symphony.
The LSEDC has been asked to suggest a representative to help prepare an
RFP for a consultant, to recommend to the City Council the selection of
the consultant and work with them in their efforts to determine the
demand and scope of a center. If you are an investor interested in being
considered, please contact
Jim Devine. The Executive Committee will be
considering names during its upcoming meeting later this month. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Leadership
Partners $5,000 + |
| Turner Construction
Company First National Bank |
| Benefactors $2,500 - $4,999 |
| RED Development |
SBC |
|
|
| Patrons $1,500 - $2,499 |
| Ash Grove Materials Corp |
Polytainers |
ServiceMark Telecom |
|
| Investors $750 - $1,499 |
| Development
Initiatives |
E.T. Archer
Corporation |
Home
Builders Association of Greater Kansas City |
| State Farm
Insurance |
Walton Construction |
|
|
| Sponsors Up to $749 |
| 360 Architecture |
Thompson Properties
LLC |
|
|
|
|
Any Comments? |
|
|
This is our second newsletter of
2005. If you like it pass it along. Our goal is to provide you with
useful information in a useful format. Have we succeeded? Do you have suggestions? Do you want to be dropped from our
distribution list? Please let me know at
jdevine@leessummit.org. That’s it for now. |
|
|
© Copyright Lee's Summit Economic Development Council. All Rights Reserved. | www.leessummit.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
