On Wednesday representatives from Ady Advantage presented their recommendations to the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council and its investors following a focused review of its proposed 2021 work plan.

The LSEDC hired Ady Advantage as part of a grant from Evergy to review its proposed 2021 work plan. The team at Ady Advantage conducted multiple focus groups with the LSEDC, its investors and stakeholders. It also reviewed the City’s Ignite Strategic Plan, which named LSEDC as the lead on several initiatives. The goal was to marry the organizational objectives of the LSEDC with those of the City and prepare the organization to meet the demands in the future, including a massive expansion in population and geography.

“We have tremendous opportunities coming to Lee’s Summit for the next 10 to 20 years. We want to do the work now to make sure we are prepared to maximize the benefits of these advancements,” said Rick McDowell, President & CEO of the LSEDC.

The Ady Advantage team recommended that the organization lead an external strategic plan in coordination with the City, organizations that have a public service agreement with the city such as the Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street; Community Branding and Velocity, and others with a stake as to the future of Lee’s Summit from an economic development perspective, such as the schools. Janet Ady, founder of Ady Advantage said it’s imperative that all organizations have a shared economic development vision.

“Lee’s Summit has all the ingredients for a bright economic future, including great schools, a convenient location, lots of land for development, engaged community leaders, and much more. Developing an economic development strategic plan will provide a unified economic development vision to channel the positive momentum originating from the City’s Ignite planning process to specific economic development outcomes and activities,” said Ady.

The economic development strategic plan would define shared economic development goals for Lee’s Summit, create an understanding of how each organization would fit into the overarching vision and establish roles and responsibilities for each organization.

“I love the recommendations for alignment and coming together with a vision that fits our community,” said Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird.

The plan would include identifying the type of growth and industries Lee’s Summit would pursue and the best use of available property, including the roughly 4,200 acres expected to be available for development over the next 10 to 20 years.

“It takes all of us to be successful and we at the LSEDC look forward to continue aligning our goals not only with the City, but with our partners as well,” said McDowell.