News

Rick Smetana praises University of Central Missouri for its valuable degree programs, quality instructors and opportunities for involvement More than 20 years ago, Rick Smetana made the decision to check out the University of Central Missouri after a teacher in his Chicago suburb high school spoke highly of the school. Since then, Smetana has received four degrees from UCM, including …Read More »

BROCK USA, PARAGON STAR SPORTS COMPLEX PARTNER TO BUILD KANSAS CITY’S FIRST SPORTS COMPLEX WITH SHOCK PAD, COOLING ORGANIC INFILL 10-FIELD, LEE’S SUMMIT-BASED TURF COMPLEX SCHEDULED TO OPEN LATE SUMMER ’22; AIMS TO DIFFERENTIATE THROUGH ENHANCED SAFETY, PERFORMANCE KANSAS CITY, MO (January 21, 2022) – Brock USA, a leader in artificial turf components focused on athlete and environment safety, have …Read More »

Photo Caption:  Summit Christian Academy has been ranked second in the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of Top Area Private Schools.  This is SCA’s eighth consecutive year to be ranked in the top five. January 19, 2022 Summit Christian Academy Ranks Number Two in the Top Private Schools List for the Kansas City Area (Lee’s Summit) – Summit Christian Academy …Read More »

From University of Central Missouri-Lee’s SummitRelease date: Jan. 4, 2022 For more information, contact Janice Phelan, phelan@ucmo.edu Students and families interested in learning about Summit Technology Academy and the school’s nationally recognized, career-focused programs are invited to two upcoming open house events. In addition to showcasing Summit Technology Academy, the events will include information about the Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) …Read More »

From University of Central Missouri-Lee’s Summit Release date: Oct. 20, 2021          For more information, contact Janice Phelan, phelan@ucmo.edu University of Central Missouri to offer new online Freedom of Information Act course beginning Jan. 10                 The University of Central Missouri will offer a new course focusing on the Freedom of Information Act and how to respond to FOIA requests. The …Read More »

The month of October is celebrated as an opportunity for the manufacturing industry to showcase rewarding career possibilities to prospective students. These types of manufacturing jobs offer long-term career options, high pay, and exposure to cutting-edge technology. Having the vision to partner with area schools and offer an in-shop experience, JCI Industries hosted students from Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s …Read More »

A new general contractor has joined the Lee’s Summit business community. GPS-KC is a full-service general contractor & construction manager, which offers design-build, pre-construction, owner’s representative, and staff augmentation services for small-to-medium manufacturing and development projects. Partners Mike Skidmore and Austin Christensen have been in the Kansas City construction industry for 15 years. They worked together at CRB, where they …Read More »

Mid-States Distributing has experienced strong growth since it began its operations in Lee’s Summit in 2018. The Lee’s Summit facility is a distribution center for Mid-States Distributing Company, Inc., a farm, ranch, and home retail cooperative based out of Fort Worth, Texas.Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council announced changes to its Board of Directors today. Todd Haynes will be the Board Chair.Read More »

Summit at West Pryor welcomed its first tenants June 1.Read More »

Last month, work began on renovations to Lee’s Summit High School. The changes will modernize the nearly-70-year-old campus by adding amenities and changing the lay out.Read More »

This month, John Knox Village broke ground on the new Meadows II apartment building. The $18 million, 121,410-square-foot addition will tie in with the existing Meadows building, which was built in 2017.Read More »

On Wednesday, leaders from LANE4 Property Group shared their vision for the Downtown Lee’s Summit Farmer’s Market Development with Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council investors, partners, and guests. Owen Buckley is the president of LANE4 Property Group. He said when he heard about the project downtown, he knew that he wanted to work on it. “There was no hesitation, and …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council is celebrating National Economic Development Week May 9-15th.Read More »

Tina Chace graduated from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) on April 29, 2021 at the OU EDI Spring session.Read More »

GLMV Architecture will lead the design of two new fire stations for the City of Lee’s Summit.Read More »

In April, Lee’s Summit Medical Center broke ground on a new $4.6 million expansion for a Hybrid Operating Room.Read More »

Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council investors A.L. Huber General Contractor and Alpha Omega Geotech are joining forces on a 26,000 square-foot expansion at County Beverage Company on Bailey Road in Lee’s Summit.Read More »

Major employers from across the Kansas City area logged online earlier this month to participate in the first-ever Virtual Career Expo: Skilled & Technical Trades.Read More »

For the second year in a row, Lee’s Summit has been ranked by Smart Asset as one of the Most Livable Small Cities in America. Lee’s Summit ranked 12th in the publication’s comparison of nearly 300 communities across the country. “Of course we know that Lee’s Summit is a great place to live, but having that confirmed by an independent …Read More »

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – LANE4 Property Group has joined the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council as an investor. The company, which is based in Kansas City, is a commercial real estate broker with a portfolio including retail, mixed-use, office, multi-family, and industrial products. In December 2020, LANE4 acquired the Hartley Building in Downtown Lee’s Summit. “We love the character and …Read More »

In February, Saint Luke's East Hospital was the first in the Saint Luke’s Health System to introduce new virtual nurse technology. It is a pilot program that was launched in coordination with the opening of 24 new beds on February 4th and will serve as a model if Saint Luke’s decides to expand the program to other hospitals within the …Read More »

Dan Shepard always knew he wanted to own his own business. So, after living and working in New York City and Nashville, the University of Missouri alumni was excited when he had the opportunity to relocate his family to Lee’s Summit.Read More »

Reflecting on workforce development goals he set early in his tenure as Missouri Governor, Mike Parson on March 2 said a new initiative at the Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) to prepare students for the workforce of the future “is exactly what we need to do” as a state.Read More »

As it answers the call for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, Truman Medical Center- Lakewood (TMC) is simultaneously managing new services and $7.7 million in new infrastructure.Read More »

On Wednesday, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC) hosted part one of its Developer’s Showcase event, featuring a panel of housing industry experts who discussed the current housing market, as well as the outlook for the next few years.Read More »

Lee’s Summit Medical Center’s bariatric program has recently moved from an off-campus location to a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in their new medical office building.Read More »

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. – IT Coalition, Inc. (ITC), a global Service-Disabled-Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB),is pursuing a contract with the federal government in order to expand its business to Lee’s Summit. Currently, the National Benefits Center (NBC) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is soliciting proposals for a major contractor to support its …Read More »

General contractor Musselman & Hall has joined the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council as a Benefactor investor. The company specializes in railroad, asphalt and structural, flatwork and decorative concrete.Read More »

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.Read More »

Kadean Construction, a 57- year-old national construction company with offices in St. Louis and Kansas City, has joined the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council as an advisory-level investor.Read More »

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Excitement is brewing over major projects set to take shape at John Knox Village. The senior living community is currently working with Harkrader Construction to tear down 17 existing units and replacing them with seven Villas at the property. The Villa homes consist of single homes, duplexes and triplexes ranging in size from 1,200 to 1,371 square …Read More »

McCombs began International Builders and Consultants, Inc. in 2009.Read More »

KM Tactical is making a new home in Lee’s Summit and so are its owners. The company, which is relocating from Blue Springs, offers custom, American-made firearm components for both hobby gun-makers and suppliers. “We’re a hardware store for the outdoor industry,” said owner Kyle Murphy. “Nothing we sell does damage, we don’t sell serialized parts.” Owners Katherine and Kyle …Read More »

Ground work on a major expansion and renovation project for Mason Elementary, located on Colbern Road in the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, commenced last month following the School District’s successful bond issue this past June.Read More »

In a sign of the times, Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird gave his annual State of the City address to a nearly-empty City Council chamber on Tuesday.Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council held its first-ever Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 17th. As part of the celebration, the LSEDC welcomed new Executive Committee and board members. Tim Paulson of Emery Sapp & Sons was announced as the organization’s new chair. Paulson said as chair, his priorities will be to focus on affordable housing, workforce and affordable …Read More »

UPN recently joined the LSEDC as a Benefactor Level Investor.Read More »

Through the Academy, students will be prepared for high-wage, high-demand jobs.Read More »

By: John Beaudoin, KC Communication & Media Matters LEE’S SUMMIT – Once a site thriving with apple, peach and pear orchards, a valley in Lee’s Summit is now home to a massive commercial development with a public art piece honoring that past. Lee’s Summit metal artist Dave Eames has created ‘Infinite Harvest,’ a colorful, 11-foot-tall representation of a large bushel …Read More »

WHEREAS, To promote and enhance the City of Lee’s Summit as a model community for economic innovation and growth fueled by a pro-business environment, diverse economic base and a commitment to strong relationships and work ethic.; and WHEREAS, quality public schools are a vital component in creating a highly-skilled workforce; and WHEREAS, quality public schools contribute to high quality of …Read More »

WHEREAS, the mission of the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC) is to promote and enhance the City of Lee’s Summit as a model community for economic growth; and WHEREAS, the local use tax would be used to provide essential city services such as infrastructure projects, police, fire, building inspections, and snow removal; and WHEREAS, the local use tax shall …Read More »

In honor of Economic Development Week, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council is celebrating the contributions economic development organizations (EDO) make to their communities. One of the key roles of an EDO is to attract and grow existing businesses. When companies look to relocate or expand, one of the top considerations is access to a highly-skilled workforce. That is why …Read More »

This Economic Development Week, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council is joining economic development organizations (EDOs) from across the country to celebrate the contribution that economic developers have on their community. One of the top missions of an EDO is to attract new business and support the expansion of existing businesses in the community. While one effective and well-known tool …Read More »

On Tuesday, Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird proclaimed that May 4th through May 8th be Economic Development Week in the city.Read More »

On April 20th, Bennett Packaging in Lee’s Summit delivered 500 face shields to the Lee’s Summit Fire Department headquarters. The shields will be distributed among all seven Lee’s Summit fire stations, as well as the police department for first responders to use as a barrier of protection amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is absolutely great, especially since Personal Protective Equipment …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council has made a quick shift to accommodate the changing needs of business owners and leaders amid COVID-19. Whether by interrupting revenue streams, straining the supply chain or creating a sudden increase in demand, one thing is for certain – the COVID-19 pandemic has had an extraordinary impact on businesses in Lee’s Summit and around …Read More »

The 2020 State of the Summit was held Wednesday afternoon. The event featured a panel comprised of Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird, Assistant City Manager Mark Dunning, LSEDC President & CEO Rick McDowell and Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation Administrator Joe Snook. The panel was moderated by LSEDC Board Member, Will Coates. The panelists addressed multiple topics submitted by LSEDC …Read More »

Don McArthur of the Commerce Trust Company was the featured speaker for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council’s February Investor Spotlight.Read More »

MAR Building Solutions celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters in February.Read More »

Confetti flew through the air at Summit Christian Academy Monday as school leaders and donors cut the ribbon on the new Goppert Classroom Wing. The 11,000-square-foot wing added nine interactive classrooms to the south side of the secondary building on the 38-acre campus. It also offers additional restrooms and a nurse’s office. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Head of School …Read More »

On Thursday, John Knox Village celebrated the grand opening of its Westview Wing assisted living addition.Read More »

On Wednesday, former Kansas City Mayor Sly James spoke to Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council investors about leadership, his economic development philosophy and the significance of suburbs to the Kansas City metropolitan area.Read More »

2020 is starting off strong for Truman Medical Center Lakewood after major improvements made to the hospital’s Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine department.Read More »

In November, Drake Development gave LSEDC investors a sneak peek at some of the first tenants to commit to the Streets of West Pryor Development, which is currently under construction near I-470 & Pryor Road.Read More »

CEAH Realtors ended 2019 with a boom, a development boom that is. The company recently opened the second phase of the Chapel Ridge Townhomes located near I-470 and Woods Chapel Road. The rental townhomes offer two and three-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,200-1,680 square feet. But the multifamily expansion is not the only project keeping the company busy. “As far …Read More »

After building hundreds of buildings for customers, MAR Building Solutions’ newest project was one of its own.Read More »

In November, a group of students from Lee’s Summit North High School learned how they could make more than $80,000 a year after high school without incurring student loan debt. STL-KC Carpenters Regional Council hosted nearly 20 students to teach them about the union’s apprenticeship program. Tina Chace, the Director of Business Development for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, …Read More »

International Builders & Consultants, Inc. has a new home in Lee’s Summit. IBC moved into its new headquarters in November, following eight months of construction.Read More »

More than 500 people packed John Knox Pavilion for the first-ever Feed Lee’s Summit Event. The banquet, held on November 14th, benefitted the four primary food providers in Lee’s Summit: Coldwater, Lee’s Summit Social Services, One Good Meal and Meals on Wheels. The Sunrise Rotary Club was the organizer for the event, which replaced the group’s annual Empty Bowls banquet. …Read More »

The City of Lee’s Summit is moving forward with the latest phase of its Ignite! Strategic Plan. Over the next four to five months, the city will lead what has been dubbed C-4 committees. C-4 stands for citizens, City Council, city administration and community partners. The C-4 committees will be comprised of groups of 25 people that will focus on …Read More »

Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council investors learned new information Wednesday about two high-profile development projects in Lee’s Summit.  Matt Pennington, the President of Drake Development, gave an update on the Streets of West Pryor and Ryan Adams, a Development Associate with Cityscape Residential spoke about new multi-family living coming to downtown Lee’s Summit. Though the projects vary in size and …Read More »

In July, Chip Moxley took over as Chair after nearly a decade of involvement in the organization.Read More »

Summit Christian Academy is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019, coinciding with a major expansion for the school.Read More »

Owners Amanda Bush and Adam O’Kane took over the business and moved operations from Kansas City to Lee’s Summit.Read More »

Summit Bank of Kansas City merged with and into Citizens Bank & Trust in August, 2019. The merger will significantly expand the bank’s products, services, and local presence.Read More »

On Friday, students from Lee’s Summit North High School, Summit Christian Academy and Saint Michaels the Archangel Catholic High School were offered a unique chance to learn about the career opportunities available in modern manufacturing. Students toured Polytainers and ULTRAX Aerospace as part of National Manufacturing Day. National Manufacturing Day began as a way to educate young people about the …Read More »

In September, Saint Luke’s East debuted its newest, most-advanced surgical robot.Read More »

More than 350 job seekers from across the Kansas City metro were in Lee’s Summit Thursday to learn about local opportunities at the federal government. The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council partnered with U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services to host the career fair.  The National Benefits Center, National Records Center, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Contact Center, U.S. Citizenship and …Read More »

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and Summit Technology Academy are partnering with Digloso, a global technology company, to foster collaboration and innovation by working with students, community organizations, businesses and government agencies in Kenya and Missouri. Known as KenMo, the program is launching this fall. It will operate out of the UCM Gigabit Lab, located at the university’s Lee’s …Read More »

On Thursday Summit Homes celebrated a groundbreaking for its newest community.Read More »

Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) was featured in Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council’s Fall Investor Spotlight.Read More »

In August The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council hosted several key stakeholders for an informational presentation on the evolving industry of economic development.Read More »

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI — With the help of industry experts and regional stakeholders, the University of Central Missouri-Lee’s Summit and the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District’s Summit Technology Academy are working together to launch a new avionics and unmanned aircraft systems (drones) career pathways program. A new Avionics Advisory Board met for the first time on Aug. 23 to …Read More »

A celebration took place Tuesday at ULTRAX Aerospace, where a group of interns recently completed a summer internship program. The Lee’s Summit company creates mission-critical maintenance and sustainment technologies for aircraft and fleets. Ten engineering students from prestigious programs at universities such as Missouri Science and Technology, University of Missouri, Kansas State University and Truman State University were selected. There …Read More »

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has signed an executive order to end the border war between Missouri and Kansas. Friday morning, Governor Kelly signed Executive Order 19-09. It directs the Kansas Department of Commerce to end the practice of providing incentives to any company in the Kansas City area solely for purpose of convincing them to move across the state line, …Read More »

Colby Jacquemin is only 17 years old, but he is already gaining valuable on-the-job training to prepare him for his future career. The Lone Jack High School and Summit Technology Academy student spent his summer interning at Creative Blow Mold Tooling in Lee’s Summit, where he learned to make molds that end up on factory lines all over the world. …Read More »

Government Employees Health Association, Inc. this week received the 2019 Corporate Citizen of the Year award from the Truman Heartland Community Foundation. THCF is a non-profit dedicated to promoting philanthropy in Eastern Jackson County. According to THCF, GEHA raised more than a million dollars for local charities with its annual golf tournament. The health insurance provider, which serves government workers, …Read More »

Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council Chairman Chip Moxley was honored Thursday evening with the Missouri Municipal League’s West Gate Division Civic Leadership Award. Moxley was chosen by Lee’s Summit mayor Bill Baird for his ongoing dedication and leadership in the city. Moxley is the President of Tingle Flooring in Lee’s Summit and has a longstanding relationship with the LSEDC. After …Read More »

The NBC is headquartered in Lee’s Summit, MO. LSEDC recently spoke with Robert Cowan, Director of NBC to learn more about the growing cadre of government workers in Lee’s Summit.Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council has endorsed and supported the City of Lee’s Summit for the issuance of a General Obligation Bond, which will be on the ballot during a special election on August 6th, 2019. The proposed $19,475,000 bond would allow for new public-safety measures including two new fire stations and associated apparatus to replace fire stations No. …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council held its 2019 Annual Meeting July 10th. The theme of the afternoon was Focus Forward as the LSEDC works to align its upcoming strategic plan with the city’s Ignite initiatives, along with the goals of other PSA’s and key partners. Guest speaker Kate McEnroe shared her recipe for the “secret sauce” to effective economic …Read More »

Tucked away beyond the main thoroughfares of Lee’s Summit is a hidden empire few, even the locals, know about. For nearly two decades, a music label by the name of Strange Music has been quietly expanding its reign as one of the top independent music labels in the industry. Of course by now, most in the region are familiar with …Read More »

Since 2016, MoDOT has led a dozen projects in Lee’s Summit with a total construction value of almost $66 million. From the $13 million Blackwell Road interchange to new $300,000+ traffic signals at Deerbrook, MoDOT’s work is visible almost anywhere you drive in the city. Matt Killion, MoDOT Area Engineer for Jackson County, appreciates the City of Lee’s Summit’s partnership …Read More »

The Kansas City region will be home to two new USDA sites, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Thursday. The Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will relocate to the Kansas City region. Combined, the relocations will bring nearly 600 jobs to the Kansas City region. Perdue noted cost-savings, easy commutes, quality of …Read More »

Like many manufacturing business owners, Michael Bohning had felt the pain of a tight labor market. Bohning bought Creative Blow Mold Tooling in 2006. The Lee’s Summit company designs, manufactures, repairs and tools products for the blow mold industry. Creative’s products end up on factory lines all over the world to help create the products found on store shelves, but …Read More »

Drake Development has announced plans for a Friday groundbreaking ceremony for its new project, Streets of West Pryor.Read More »

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers have passed a pro-growth economic development package championed by Governor Mike Parson. SB 68, which passed on Tuesday, establishes a deal-closing fund and creates a scholarship for adult students in Missouri. Governor Mike Parson praised the passage of SB 68, saying it puts Missouri on track to be one of the most pro-growth, pro-jobs …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council is tapping the expertise of previous board leadership as it drafts its first strategic plan since 2014. The LSEDC effort is running parallel to the City of Lee’s Summit’s Ignite! strategic planning process in both substance and timeline. Earlier this year, former LSEDC chairs provided insight into the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats …Read More »

Tina Chace, Director of Business Development for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC), was one of 88 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) on April 22-26, 2019. Attendees of the intensive economic development course received fundamental training on business retention and expansion (BRE), workforce development, real estate, and entrepreneurship, as well as marketing, finance, …Read More »

Rody Taylor never set out to be an entrepreneur. In 2006, the founder of KC Dumpster Company decided to earn a little extra money cleaning up residential construction sites around Lee’s Summit. Thirteen years later, his one-truck enterprise has turned into one of the region’s largest roll-off dumpster businesses and spawned a second company, Taylor Construction Services. “I was just …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit City Council in April gave initial approval to Cityscape Residential’s $52 million plan to redevelop the former Lee’s Summit United Methodist Church structure into a 276-unit multifamily complex. The proposed project at the corner of 2nd and Douglas streets would preserve a portion of the old church and incorporate it into the new design plan. The project …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit EDC has happily promoted Tina Chace to Director of Business Development. In her new role, Tina is leading LSEDC’s business retention, workforce development, and investor relations. The Skinny sat down to “Take Ten With Tina” to hear her game plan: Q: You spent a lot of time working to promote the organization’s efforts in Business Retention and Expansion …Read More »

Streets of West Pryor, $178 million mixed-use development planned along NW Pryor Road at Lowenstein Drive, has gained final approval from the Lee’s Summit City Council. Developed by Drake Development, the 200,000-square foot project is slated to include a 4-story apartment-over-retail complex, 4-story senior living facility, 105-room hotel, grocery store, sit-down and drive-thru restaurants, and medical office building. Streets of …Read More »

The LSEDC Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved a resolution voicing support for Missouri Senate Bill 182, a measure passed by Missouri lawmakers that calls for detente in the ongoing Bi-State Border War over economic development incentives. SB 182 was proposed by Missouri State Sen. Mike Cierpiot and colleagues and has been forwarded to Kansas lawmakers. The LSEDC resolution calls the …Read More »

Executives representing leading Lee’s Summit companies shared insight into doing business in Lee’s Summit at the 2019 State of the Summit presented by the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council on Wed., March 6. Panelists reflected the diversity of the Lee’s Summit business community, from healthcare to manufacturing to the federal government and included: Rob Cowan, Director, National Benefits Center, part …Read More »

The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (LSEDC) is pleased to announce that Tina Chace has been promoted to the newly created position of Director of Business Development. In her new role, Chace will lead LSEDC’s business retention and workforce development efforts, as well as oversee investor relations for the organization. “Tina has done a fantastic job handling operations and marketing …Read More »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE On Saturday, February 9, 2019, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri announced that US-50 @ MO-291S Interchange was chosen for its Engineering Excellence Competition Honor Award. This award is part of an annual competition that recognizes engineering feats in a range of fields. The innovative design used in GBA’s winning entry was a joint effort …Read More »