LEE’S SUMMIT, MO (March 20, 2008) — On March 14, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC) — in conjunction with Townsend Capital, Carrow Real Estate Services and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce — invited all members of the Jefferson City delegation to tour the Summit Technology Campus.
During this visit to Lee’s Summit, Jeff Grisamore, House of Representatives 47th District, Will Kraus, House of Representatives 48th District and Brian Yates House of Representatives 56th District, received an update on the tenants at the Summit Technology Campus from Steve Rich, Vice President of Townsend Capital and Colleen Sliffe, Vice President of Carrow Real Estate Services KC. They also shared future plans for the 200 acres of land surrounding the Campus.
“The Summit Technology Campus is a great example of a successful public and private partnership,” Steve Rich explained. “When Townsend bought the facility in 1997, we re-engineered it to attract data centers. Thanks to the strong partnership with the City of Lee’s Summit, Townsend Capital and its tenants invested approximately $200 million in improvements. Today, the Summit Technology Campus employs about 5,000 workers with a 92% occupancy rate.”
Rich went on to give additional details to the legislators about the area surrounding the Summit Technology Campus. Townsend sold the land on the south side of the Campus to RED Development for Summit Fair — a high-end retail area with Macy’s as the anchor tenant. They also sold the Campus to investors who hired Carrow Real Estate Services to manage it. Townsend will keep 200 acres to the northeast of the Campus for mixed use development.
Showcasing the Summit Technology Campus is one way the LSEDC ensures that Lee’s Summit’s issues and concerns remain top-of-mind in Jefferson City. The tour was designed to remind the legislators how important it is for Missouri — and the Kansas City region — to stay competitive in the data center market and attracting knowledge workers, particularly with the increased competition from Kansas and Iowa.
“Lee’s Summit has to think globally, but act locally,” said Jim Devine, President and CEO of the LSEDC. “Doing so requires that the LSEDC maintains strong relationships with city, state and federal delegates. We are fortunate that our representatives are tuned into the needs of Lee’s Summit. We will continue to work with legislators to keep Lee’s Summit a strong, regionally significant player.”
About LSEDC
The Lee's Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC), a public-private sector partnership, is the city's designated marketing and product development arm to retain and attract business. LSEDC is devoted to improving the economic well-being of residents and businesses in Lee's Summit.
