LSEDC April 2018 Newsletter, Q3 by alally@leessummit.org

the Skinny

News from the Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summit Economic Development Council - April 2018, Q3

Note from the President Word is spreading throughout the region about all the economic development activity and investment taking place in Lee’s Summit. It’s a message I have heard loud and clear at LSEDC’s recent State of the Summit CEO event in March and at our monthly Hump Day Happy Hours, which continue to grow in popularity. On the project front, B&B Theatres has completed both its New Longview 7 boutique cinema as well a complete overhaul of its Lee’s Summit 16 on Northeast Douglas Street. These projects represent a multi-million-dollar investment in Lee’s Summit, and we are grateful for B&B’s commitment to our community. Warmer temperatures this spring brought about a welcome sight, as construction crews began clearing the site at The Grove for infrastructure development. The earth turning will make way for construction of 200,000 square feet of much-needed, state-of-the-art industrial space in the mixed-use development. Data center development and attraction continues to be a top priority for LSEDC. LSEDC is working with KCPL and KCADC to put together proposals and potential incentives for prospective prospects; including “Project Rabbit,” a data center operator looking at sites in Missouri. Lee’s Summit made headlines this spring when Toys R Us announced it was filing bankruptcy, forcing the end of the line for its 722,200-square foot distribution facility at 420 S.E. Thompson Dr. The company has not shared a timeline for closing the plant, but LSEDC looks forward to working with the commercial real estate and brokerage community to lease the space. In addition, due to historically high demand for workers, we anticipate that the plant’s 300 employees will have no trouble finding new jobs. However, LSEDC is working on plans to help connect those workers with available positions as more information becomes available. Finally, construction is moving along on the Lee’s Summit Airport’s new $7 million taxiway project, which extended taxiway A and upgraded lighting and signage. Investment in the airport is a key piece of Lee’s Summit’s business environment and is invaluable when it comes to marketing the city to potential businesses with based or corporate aircraft. This is just a sampling of the development activity taking place in Lee’s Summit so far in 2018. Stay tuned for details on our Annual Meeting, and be sure to share any announcements and project updates with us so we can share them on social media and in our weekly Development Download. Thank you for your ongoing support of LSEDC!

Yours Truly,

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the Rundown We’ve had a busy first quarter with distributed content through multiple digital channels and media outlets. Find these stories on our website at www.leessummit.org/news

Lee’s Summit Symphony partners with John Knox Village for the 2018-19 concert season Lee’s Summit EDC Announces New Board Member Mike Lally New LSMC tower, maternity unit set for 2018 delivery CyberSecurity expert shares best practices with local business leaders STEM evangelist Cindy Moss touts STEMtastic career options Developer completes Longview Farms stabilization effort SCA Head of School Named to Ingram’s Magazine “2018 Icon of Education” List Lee’s Summit C-Suite Leaders Share Growth Plans with LSEDC LSEDC statement on anticipated closing of Toys R Us Distribution Center B&B Theatres celebrates opening of New Longview 7

We hosted many events:

January featured Summit Technology Academy’s CyberSecurity program as an Investor Spotlight with special guest speaker, Caroline Terrazas. Caroline is a Lee’s Summit High School alumni who specializes in cybersecurity and works for Cisco Systems. “Lee’s Summit is definitely a hidden gem in getting workers ready for those jobs. What you have built there is not the norm.” - Caroline Terraza, Cisco Systems

Dr. Carpenter, Superintendent of LSR-7 Schools introduced us to Dr. Cindy Moss with Discovery Education. Dr. Moss made a special trip to talk to us about the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), and how each of us already use these tools in our everyday work life.

In March, we featured c-suite executives from a handful of major employers in the community to share industry updates and the pros and cons of doing business in Lee’s Summit. THE STATE OF THE SUMMIT had a record attendance with 140 people. Our first SOLD OUT event! Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 3

Jessica’s Corner Workforce, Workforce, Workforce The LSEDC is a regional player when it comes to finding workforce solutions. Employee retention and talent recruitment conversations are happening all across the KC Metro. Given the initiates and efforts taking place in the Lee’s Summit community for workforce development, the LSEDC has been asked to serve on several regional committees to find solutions. Including: • Mid-America Regional Council – Co-chair for the Regional Workforce Intelligent Network The LSEDC is one of the first communities to hold the Co-chair position. • Kansas City Area Development Council – TeamKC Advisory Board The LSEDC is the first community to hold the “community position” on the Board. • Summit Technology Academy Advisory Board The LSEDC is the first economic development council to participate. It is not a secret there is a labor shortage across the KC Metro. Employers scattered across the 18 counties that make up the metro are all pulling from the same labor pool. This is why it is imperative to have conversations focused on identifying new talent pool, scaling up the current talent pool, and creating more opportunities for a diverse workforce. The LSEDC participated in the following events last quarter: • Greater KC Employer Forum Accessing a skilled labor pool utilizing fair chance hiring. • 2018 Diversity & Inclusion Summit Leaders in the civic, educational, financial, governmental, health, corporate and legal communities gathered to discuss forward-thinking initiatives to encourage awareness and open dialogue for a diversity and inclusion workforce. • TeamKC Training Camp This summit brought top recruiters and human resource professionals together to inspire continuous improvement on efforts to compete for top candidates globally.

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This Quarter’s HR Roundtable Focused on Tapping Into the High School Talent Pipeline Summit Technology Academy (STA) serves as a national model for workforce solutions and continues to be a local asset for employers in the region by serving 17 public school districts. Students who choose the Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC) track also gain college credit and internship opportunities. These high-performing students are at the top of their class and dedicate much of their time to this program. However, did you know that STA works with all local employers to assist in internship opportunities that benefit students and employers? The HR Roundtable provided a panel of local HR professionals from the region who regularly utilize these students for special projects and/or summer interns. The take-away? Students see first-hand what kinds of jobs are available in a particular industry and businesses gain potential long-term employees who know their business. Panelists included Sara Magruder with Ultrax Aerospace, Andy Cole from DST Systems, Lynette Wheeler with Truman Medical Center and Carol Ferrara of Saint Luke’s - East. (Seventeen companies participated in the event from Eastern Jackson County.)

Business - Retention - Expansion: the good, the bad & the ugly Business, Retention and Expansion (BR/E) is not necessarily considered the “sexy” side of economic developemnt, but it is an important part of every community. • Retention/Expansion (Good): Job creation, capital investment in the community and population growth, leads to recruitment of additional companies.

It is imperative to have a strong BR|E program to proactively assist a company when the bad happens. • Retention/Expansion (Bad): A company may be struggling to grow in the community and considering options to relocate. At this point, the team is assembled to address obstacles to ensure we can retain the company in the community and assist with growth needs. Unfortunately the ugly does happen and you must find the good in the situation.

• Retention/Expansion (Ugly): When a company chooses to close its doors or relocate, the focus then becomes on assisting the workforce impacted. Local and state resources are leveraged to help employees transition into new family supporting jobs. Due to a labor supply shortage, these workers are generally absorbed quickly in the local community. Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 5

Get to know a Board Member Keith Asel Chairman of the Board Keith Asel has been in the banking industry for over 35 years. He is currently the Regional President for Hawthorn Bank’s Northwest Region. Originally from Jefferson City, Keith earned his bachelors degree from the University of Missouri, and his MBA from Lincoln University. He is a graduate of the ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Graduate School of Lending, and Graduate School of Compliance. In addition, he received the platinum award from Washington University in St. Louis for his continued participation in the Olin Business School’s Executive Training program. Keith received a proclamation from the Missouri Senate in 2001 for securing permanent funding for housing for homeless pregnant and parenting teens in the Kansas City area, the 2013 Lee’s Summit Economic Development Leadership Award, and multiple awards from the U.S. Treasury department for his work as a bank examiner. Keith’s civic involvement currently includes serving on the Boards of Directors for the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, Saint Luke’s East Hospital, Saint Luke’s Cardiovascular Consultants, and Saint Luke’s Foundation Board of Trustees. He also serves on the advisory board for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, he participates in the Lee’s Summit School District’s Partners in Education Program, R-7 Business Roundtable, the Missouri Bankers Association target banker’s program, and he chairs the Lee’s Summit Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority.

Todd Haynes Board of Directors

Todd is a Vice President – Financial Advisor with RBC Wealth Management. He has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Todd works with individuals, businesses, business executives, not-for-profit organizations, endowments, and retirement plans. A lifelong resident of the Greater Kansas City area, Todd received his formal education from the University of Missouri - Columbia and Baker University. He is a member of the Lee’s Summit Rotary Club, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council, the National Association of Eagle Scouts, a member of the fraternal Masonic organization of Summit Lodge 263 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and serves on the finance committee of ReStart, Inc., a not-for-profit, homeless services shelter. Todd and his wife, Lora Jane and their two children enjoy traveling, going to the lake, boating, swimming, golfing, and tending to their flower garden. Page 6 | Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council

Investor News WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST INVESTORS! Advisory Board Member - $2500

Jennifer Wilkins, Arvest Bank Patron - $1500

Collins I Webb Architecture

Special thanks to

Unity Village

for their increase in investment!

SPEAKING OF EXPANSIONS ..... Congratulations to long-time Investor, Summit Bank of Kansas City on the addition of their second location at 1150 N.E. Douglas Street.

The new facility is valued at $375,000 and includes a 3,264-square foot tenant finish. Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 7

New Investor Spotlight Q & A with Tina Company Name: Collins | Webb Architecture Owner/Founder(s): 1.

Sam Collins | Roger Webb

What product or services do you provide?

Collins | Webb Architecture is a full service architectural firm. We specialize in architectural and interior design. We also provide master, strategic and interior planning along with facility assessments for our clients. 2.

Give us some information about your background and why you love what you do.

We’ve been in the business of architecture for over 20 years. Being in the architectural service industry, we love exceeding the client’s expectations and always pride ourselves in providing quality service with a collaborative effort for our clients. Building long term relationships and friendships are the most rewarding benefits to what we do. When our clients begin dreaming about their projects, we strive to be the first and only call they make. 3.

You recently started your own business, tell me a little bit about that. – What made you decide to go out on your own?

As we always say, this business was 14 years in the making! We’ve been close friends from first meeting at another architectural firm. Naturally, our friendship grew as our wives became friends and our families grew with the addition of children. The thought of creating our own firm is something we had talked about for years. Less than a year ago, the timing was right for us to once again join forces and open the doors to Collins | Webb Architecture. Fortunately, our long-term relationships with past clients have developed into current and future projects, and we are thrilled to continue to build old and new relationships through our own architectural practice. 4. What are some of the projects you’ve worked on that you are most proud of? – Is there a project you are working on now that you can share with us?. We have collaborated on hundreds of projects over our careers, each with its own challenges and opportunities for solving problems with design. Some of the mixed-use projects, hospitality and healthcare projects impacted hundreds of people daily. We take pride in enriching lives through design. Currently, we are very fortunate to have a new 11 screen boutique entertainment complex right down the street from the Atlanta Braves Stadium. Working with our client and the Braves organization has been an incredible opportunity; construction will start in late summer of 2018. 5.

What made you decide to choose Lee’s Summit for your business? Downtown specifically?

For our entire careers we have been commuting into the KC metropolitan area. Roger lives in Lee’s Summit and Sam lives in Pleasant Hill. It just made sense for our office to be in Lee’s Summit. The Lee’s Summit area is thriving, and we desired to be a part of it. Locating our office downtown was ideal for several reasons, one of the biggest attractions was having a space with all the amenities within walking distance for staff and clients. It is amazing to be able to enjoy over 18 bars and restaurants within walking distance from our front door! Page 8 | Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council

What is your growth strategy?

We plan on growing our company in the Lee’s Summit market and the midwest region. A slow and steady approach is what we foresee for the firm. We would like to expand our reach within the local economy and provide outstanding quality and service. Our 3 to 5-year plan would be to grow the company to a 10-15-person firm. We aim to be the preferred firm for the City of Lee’s Summit and surrounding areas. 7.

What are some of the benefits to being engaged with the LSEDC?

We desire to become engaged with local business owners and decision makers. We hope to show the LSEDC group that architects and designers can be an asset and advocate for future projects and the overall growth of Lee’s Summit. As our business is built on long-term relationships and trust, we felt that the professional businesses within the LSEDC would be an excellent group of people with which to build those relationships. 8.

Give me a funny story about the renovation -

We have reclaimed lumber on the back wall of our office space. We salvaged this wood from a barn in Greenwood that was scheduled for demolition. After several hours of work to remove the siding, an adjacent neighbor of the property stopped by questioning if we had permission from the overseas owner. We began to doubt that we were at the right location, but after a fast and frantic phone call to the actual owner of the barn, we confirmed we were tearing down the correct barn. The neighbor had us worried and we thought we were going to have to start reconstructing the old barn!

Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 9

STATE OF THE SUMMIT

Lee’s Summit C-Suite Leaders Share Growth Plans with LSEDC by Krista Klaus

The Lee’s Summit EDC hosted its first sold out event on Wednesday, March 7. The State of the Summit luncheon and panel discussion featured top leaders from a diverse group of leading Lee’s Summit companies. Here are a few key takeaways from the panel discussion led by Debbie Swearingen, vice president of business banking for title sponsor Community America Credit Union. Ted Melin, Operations Manager, Billy Goat Industries: “Back in 2015, Billy Goat Industries was a $26M business and looking to grow. Since then, we have grown about 45 percent. We think we have another 25-30 percent growth ahead of us. We see the market in commercial lawn care growing, and we are excited about expanding. We hope to work with the City of Lee’s Summit on the best solution to move forward.” Dave Petet, Chief Financial Officer, ULTRAX Aerospace: “Ultrax has spent last 20-plus years accumulating knowledge about aircraft sustainability, primarily in the military sector. Right now, we are launching a new cutting edge type of technology—a harness that connects with aircraft.” Scott Hansen, Founder and CEO, Professional Chats: “It’s been an exciting year. We went from a team of six to over 70 last year, and by the end of this year, we will be team of 150. We need more people, and we need more space. If you know of any 5,000 square foot spaces in Lee’s Summit with lots of offices, let me know.” Bob Howard, VP of Operations, Reinhart Food Service: “We saw 32 percent growth last year, and as we look at trying to prepare for the next round of growth, we have identified upgrades to our current operation system and platform. In 2019, we will spend $20 million replacing our operating system and interfaces. That alone is a huge investment in this facility.” Matt Sogard, CEO, Lee’s Summit Medical Center: “We’ve seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years and have doubled in size the last 5 years. The east side of Lee’s Summit continues to grow, and we have up to 600 employees at this point. Our big project right now is the vertical expansion of our tower with a ribbon cutting set for May, and we have two other big projects coming up in the next few months.” Page 10 | Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council