Photo courtesy of Cabela’s Facebook Page
the Skinny
News from the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council - April / May 2016 INSIDE: Note from EDC President Rick McDowell.......Developer’s Showcase.... National E.D. Professionals visit LS....Tourism Campaign begins...$1B in Investment, BOOM!...KMBZ Spotlight on Lee’s Summit....Hump Day Happy Hour....Don’t miss June and July dates....Become an Investor!
From the desk of President and CEO April was a busy month for the LSEDC with the launch of new programming events and a flurry of project activity. The month kicked off with LSEDC hosting its first Developers Showcase event, with developers sharing insight into the Paragon Star and Summit Corridor projects. A big highlight of the month was LSEDC’s first ever Wednesday social event at Llywelyn’s, with about 35 investors turning out to share a beverage with Mayor Rhoads, the city development team and several city council members. Mark your calendars for our next social event on Wed., June 15. On the project front, the pipeline continues to be busy. We are currently working 10 active prospects, including a 1 million square foot building project. Company executives and the Site Selector came to visit Lee’s Summit in May. Stay tuned for future updates. Some of you may be aware the Strother Lofts project in the old Post Office building downtown hit a speed bump with City Council in April. In May, the developer requested another extension and is awaiting a final response. It’s important to spread the word that this project is a market-rate project and will remain a market rate project. Although the developer, Yarco, has been heavily involved in Section 8 projects, Yarco sees this project as an opportunity to branch into market-rate, multifamily development. Please feel free to talk with Mark Dunning or myself about this project if you have concerns. Finally, LSEDC is excited to help share the news that Cabela’s is planning a location in the Summit Corridor area in 2017 as well as Dick’s Sporting Goods relocation expansion. We look forward to supporting this exciting retail expansion and sharing investor updates as we have them. As always, if you have any questions or have companies you think would benefit from membership in the Lee’s Summit EDC, please feel free to give me a call.
Yours Truly, President & CEO, Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
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Developer’s Showcase Kicks Off LSEDC investors were privy to the latest information on two exciting Lee’s Summit developments at the first Developer’s Showcase event. Attendees were briefed on the Paragon Star project financing and timetable as well as the latest project updates along the bustling Summit Corridor near Chipman and Ward roads. Detailed information about the project can be found on our facebook page.
LSEDC will hold Developer’s Showcase events for projects on an ongoing basis.
Economic Development Representatives Learn About Lee’s Summit Economic development representatives from across the Midwest toured downtown Lee’s Summit as a part of the Heartland Basic Institute for Economic Development event. Approximately 100 attended the event which was a professional training for new economic development professionals. The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council hosted the event, which kicked off with an introduction in the Council Chambers of City Hall followed by a tour and history of the growth and operation of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street. Another great collaboration for the City of Lee’s Summit. A special shout out for the DLSMS Board Tour Guides - we couldn’t have done it without ya!
Lee’s Summit Economic DevelopmentJuly Council 2015 || Page Page 33
LSEDC, Chamber and DLSMS Launch Tourism Campaign An exciting collaboration designed to draw more summer tourism to Lee’s Summit kicked off in April. LSEDC, the Chamber, Downtown Lee’s Summit and the City are teaming up to market the city as a tourist destination to baby boomers and their grandchildren throughout the Midwest. The campaign includes print and broadcast messages, as well as targeted social media. The campaign kicked off with a content sponsored feature in the KC Star. Look for Linny in an advertisement near you!
LS Parks and Recreation Focus on Development for 2016-17 Our May 4th Investor Meeting featured Tom Lovell and Joe Snook from Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation. They highlighted 8 community priorities and 33 Goals for use of the continued 1/4 cent sales tax coming up for vote in August of this year. Some of the exciting additions include: - Additional youth practice space - Splashpads in areas of our community under-served by water play - Development of an indoor athletic field house - Outdoor adventure park and ice skating rink *For complete information, please visit their website at www.lsparks.net/info on parks sales tax election.
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Lee’s Summit Hits $1 Billion in Private, Public Investment Lee’s Summit hit a high mark for economic growth in 2014-2015, with more than $1 billion invested in the form of new and expanded buildings, public infrastructure and residential construction and permits. The two-year total includes public and private spending—and a large amount clearly is Cerner’s $500 million investment in the Summit Technology Campus. City Manager Steve Arbo told the Chamber the level of investment is in the “stratosphere.”
Investor News Welcome! New LSEDC Investors First Federal Bank - Benefactor Keith Fenwick First Federal Bank has been in business for over 80 years and is conveniently located on 50 hwy and Todd George Road in Lee’s Summit. Keith has been with First Federal since 2013 and currently holds the title of Vice President specializing in construction and underwriting. With a degree from UCM - we’re sure Keith will find a few friends in this bunch. Welcome Keith!
Individual Investor Kay Ford, Former City Councilmember Kay stopped in our office a couple of weeks ago excited by all the growth she’s seeing and hearing around town and wanted to get involved. Little did we know - Kay’s a former councilmember from district 1. She served terms in 1992, ‘93, ‘95 and ‘97 and continues to be involved in other civic organizations including the Lee’s Summit Symphony. We are lucky to have her!
April / May 2016 Investor Renewals: Benefactor Jackson County Economic Development Riffe Communities Legacy Touch
Investors
Curry Investment Company Great Southern Bank
thank you!
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KMBZ Spotlight’s Lee’s Summit
LSEDC President Rick McDowell helped kick off the day with a prerecorded interview about unprecedented growth and new projects around the city that aired on Kansas City's Morning News with EJ and Ellen, and LSEDC Chair Bill Brown and Assistant City Manager Mark Dunning both offered development highlights during live interviews on TrendKC with Zak and Jayme. Additional full-length, live interviews included Mayor Randy Rhoads, City Manager Steve Arbo, Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street Executive Director Donnie Rodgers, Chamber Chair Vicky Cundiff and MCC-Longview President Dr. Kirk Nooks. During Dana and Parks, Lee's Summit Main Street Chair Lynn Hinkle and Chamber Community Marketing Manager James McKenna chatted live about downtown Lee's Summit nightlife and tourism. Throughout the day, pre-recorded interviews with Police Chief Travis Forbes, Fire Chief Rick Poeschl, Historic Preservation Commission Chair Kathy Smith and Teacher of the Year Michelle Uptegrove also were featured. Lee’s Summit is the first City spotlight on 98.1 fm KMBZ. Residents were buzzing around City Hall and were quoted in saying how “proud” they were to be showcased.
Did somebody say Hump Day? Nothing but positive feedback here! Investors enjoyed the casual atmosphere at Llywelyn’s getting to know folks from the LSEDC at our kick-off Happy Hour Wednesday, April 20th and the following May 18th social hour. When asked about the event, new investor Tom McVey with Clark Enersen replied, “I don’t know any other city organization where I was able to meet the Mayor, City Council Officials and key influencers in one place and have open dialogue.” Don’t miss your chance to connect. Every 3rd Wednesday of the month we will host an Investor Social at Llywelyn’s Pub in downtown Lee’s Summit. Come out - have a drink and make new friends or potential business partners. Bring a NEW investor with you and we’ll buy their drink too!
Pop-up Shop Sponsorship Opportunities Sign up to sponsor our Happy Hours for $250 and receive: • • • •
Up to 5 guests from your business Table with promotional materials 5 minutes in front of the group Logo placed on all LSEDC invite materials including E-vite to members
Contact Tina Chace for more information at (816) 525-6617 or tchace@leessummit.org
3 rd Wednesday
EVERY
Investor Social Page 6 | Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
pm
4:30 to 6:30
Follow us on Social Media! We’re beefing up our social media presence! You can find us on Twitter @LSEconDevC. Please “Like” us on Facebook at Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council and be sure to tag us in your Instagram photos at LSEconDevCo. If you’ve got exciting news you want to share, reach out to Tina Chace at tchace@leessummit.org.
Follow us now on LinkedIn
Save the Date ~ June 8th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Investor Luncheon Emaline Ballroom
Featuring: Guest Speaker, Doug Linkhart - National Civic League President
June 15th, 4:30 pm to 6:30 p.m. - Hump Day Happy Hour Llywelyn’s All Investor Social
June 24th, KCADC Interns “Night in Lee’s Summit” Downtown Lee’s Summit
LSEDC hosts Kansas City area Interns in Lee’s Summit for Fourth Friday and Music in the Park, special pricing downtown and raffle
June 30th, 7:30 a.m to 9:00 a.m. - Quarterly Board Breakfast Emaline Ballroom Board of Directors Only
July 13th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Annual Meeting Gamber Community Center Ballroom Featuring: Guest Speaker, Frank White 30 Year Celebration, Annual Report, New Officers
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Become an LSEDC Investor
join us, won’t you?
Primary Contact Title Company/Organization Address City/State/Zip Office Phone
Mobile
Email Website Product/Service
Annual Investment Category $10,000 Grand Champion
$2,500 Benefactors
$7,500 Pacesetters
$1,500 Patrons
$5,000 Leadership Partners
$500 Investors
$250 Individual Investor
(company name not permitted at this level)
Please call us to learn more about becoming an EDC investor.
816.525.6617 | 218 SE Main Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | leessummit.org Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 8