the Skinny AUGUST 2016
Missouri Innovation Campus
Letter from the President As the kids headed back to school in August, the LSEDC picked up the pace on a variety of projects. Infrastructure work started on the Summit Orchards mixed-use project near Ward and Chipman roads, and the local media picked up on news that the Summit Tech corridor is bustling with a total of $200 million in committed investment. The good news kept coming as B&B Theatres announced it would build a new cinema at New Longview as part of a larger investment in Lee’s Summit. Also on the project front, Quik Trip is busy expanding its presence in Lee’s Summit, with two new “next-gen” stores approved along the 291 corridor and additional proposed investment making its way through City approvals. On the construction front, the new St. Michael the Archangel school is well into the vertical phase with occupancy expected in late 2017, and construction of the Missouri Innovation Campus is running ahead of schedule. We have a busy month ahead in September as former KCK Mayor Carol Marinovich helps us kick off our all-new Speaker Series at the LSEDC Advisory Luncheon on the 7th. We also look forward to attending the 2017 SIOR Development Day on Sept. 22. This is a big networking event for the commercial real estate community in Kansas City, and we look forward to continuing to share Lee’s Summit’s amazing growth story with brokers and developers alike. Retail development growth in Lee’s Summit will continue to be a big headline for LSEDC in September. Stay tuned for some exciting news on that front. As always, if you have any questions or know of companies you think would benefit from membership in the Lee’s Summit EDC, please feel free to give me a call.
Yours Truly, August Project Spotlight Shines on B&B Theatres
LSEDC Chairman Christine Bushyhead and President Rick McDowell kicked off the August Advisory Board Luncheon with a blockbuster announcement that B&B Theatres will build a new state-of-the-art theatre in the New Longview commercial district as well as make a significant reinvestment in its current Lee’s Summit 16 theatre on NE Douglas Street. The new theatre promises to offer “luxury, boutique movie-going” on the west side of Lee’s Summit, creating an ideal date night or family outing, according to Bob Bagby, B&B Theatres president. The announcement received significant local media attention, with special breaking news alerts from the Kansas City Business Journal, the Kansas City Star, Metro Wire Media and our own Lee’s Summit Journal. As investors enjoyed lunch at the Longview Mansion, their phones were lighting up with news of the project announcement. The main program of the day focused on civic engagement, with guest speakers from the City of Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Truman Heartland Community Foundation and LS Cares all sharing various ways to get involved with the community.
Hump Day Happy Hour
Hump Day Happy Hour continues to grow and attract more of our LSEDC friends! The networking event is held on the third Wednesday of each month at Llywellyn’s downtown. Mark your calendars for September 21st at 4:30.
LSEDC Briefs Lee’s Summit Council on 2Q, EJCDA On August 4, Rick McDowell updated the City Council on all the activity and deal flow that took place on the economic development front in the second quarter as well as the LSEDC’s role helping to lead regional economic development activity in eastern Jackson County through the Eastern Jackson County Development Alliance. Rick serves as president of EJCA and Tina Chace has taken on the role of secretary. The August meeting was held at the Ennovation Center in Independence and was hosted by the WerksLab. The Ennovation Center provides a collaborative space for start-ups to learn and grow their business for a smaller fee than if they paid for services on their own. ED professionals and city administrators toured the facility. This group also heard from spokesman Bill Brown on the new Paragon Star project rapidly making its way through the process here in Lee’s Summit. The EJCDA meets bi-monthly and is currently working to release a new version of Eastern Jackson County By The Numbers. Look for that soon!
Big Month for Social Media August was a tremendous month for LSEDC on the social media front. The Facebook page added more than 100 new likes and the top five posts combined reached more than 46,000 unique users! The top post of the month-- Exciting news for New Longview area – reached 29,100 users. Posts about Summit Orchards and Paragon Star each reached more than 5,000 users. A post announcing Sam’s Club’s new store reached 4,000 users, and a story about investment in the Summit Tech corridor reached more than 3,200 users. If you haven’t yet liked LSEDC’s Facebook or LinkedIn page, we welcome the chance to connect with you!
Carol Marinovich Kicks off Speaker Series Vision to Reality
Investor Renewals Thank you to the following Investors for their renewed investment in Lee’s Summit Economic Development! Pacesetter Saint Luke’s East - LS Leadership Partner HSMC Orizon, LLC Tingle Flooring
Investors
Afinnis Dave Cross Motors KCB Bank LeClede Gas Mid-Continent Library
Benefactors
Lead Financial Plastic Enterprises Spectrum Strategies University of Central Missouri
On Sept. 7, former KCK Mayor Carol Marinovich will headline our first of four Speaker Series events. The Speaker Series is a primary initiative for LSEDC 2016-17 Chair Christine Bushyhead. Throughout the year, four of the region’s top thought leaders will share their insights into a variety of topics including community and civic engagement, building a community product and brand, next-generation leadership and entrepreneurship. Speaker Series events will fall on all quarterly Investor Luncheon dates for the 2016-17 calendar year. Our next guest speaker will be in November so be sure to check your inbox - its a biggie!
Meet Machelle Riffe, LSEDC Board Secretary Machelle started her career at Proctor & Gamble as a sales representative after graduating from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Machelle spent 14 years Fundraising in the non-profit industry serving as Director of Development for Summit Christian Academy for 10 years. As owner of Fundspring Consulting, Machelle worked with local non-profits and served as a long-term consultant for Saint Luke’s East Hospital helping build a thriving development program for the Saint Luke’s systems key growth engine. Machelle and her husband Jim own Riffe Homes and Development. She oversees the digital marketing, branding and advertising for Woodland Shores, Riffe Homes and Woodland Trails. As a licensed real estate agent in Kansas and Missouri with Keller Williams Platinum Partners, Machelle leverages her experience in marketing, community and non-profit development to sell homes, recreational and horse property throughout eastern Jackson, Cass and Johnson counties. Riffe Homes has provided over 500 custom homes to families in 114 new home communities continuing a family tradition that spans over 60 years in greater Kansas City. Riffe Development communities include Knottingham by the Green, Whitehorse and the Villas of Whitehorse in Johnson County. Woodland Shores in Lee’s Summit is now complimented by their newest community, Woodland Trails is located in Greenwood, Missouri in the R-7 School District.
Save the Date NEW Speaker Series - all investor meeting September 7th, 2016 - Emaline Ballroom Featuring: Carol Marinovich
Hump Day Happy Hour September 21st 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm -Llywelyn’s ALL INVESTOR SOCIAL
Quarterly Board Breakfast September 29th, 7:30 a.m to 9:00 a.m. - Emaline Ballroom Board of Directors Only
Advisory Board Luncheon - Investor Spotlight, MC Power October 5th, 2016 - MC Power, 4031 NE Lakewood Way, Lee’s Summit, MO Featuring: All things MC Power! Our first look at one of our own.
Hump Day Happy Hour October 19th, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Llywelyn’s ALL INVESTOR SOCIAL
We will be closed for the holiday - Monday, September 5th
NEW Project Website for Summit Orchards Steve Rich and the folks at Townsend Capital stepped out of the box to come up with a tool to reach out to the commercial real estate community. www.townsendsummit.com will provide project information updates, showcase available retail and office space and offer market highlights for the area. Check it out!
Want a Stake in the LS Airport Development?
Actively involved in her community, Machelle believes good things happen when people care enough to get involved. She believes the keystone for any successful endeavor begins with trust, commitment and good communication. She is a Rotarian and serves as 2016 Chair for the Truman Heartland Community Foundation’s Lee’s Summit Advisory Board.
The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport (LXT) is investigating the demand for present and future hangar development at LXT and would like your input.
Jim and Machelle are active members of Abundant Life Baptist Church and live on 13 acres adjacent to Wooland Shores. They have two daughters and a son-in-law, five horses, 1 cat, 1 dog and 11 chickens. Machelle’s daughter Rachel is a nurse and son-in-law Ryan sells software solutions to Hospital systems. They live in Woodland Shores. Her daughter Abby lives in Prairie Village and teaches kindergarten for North Kansas City Schools.
The intent of this survey is to determine if the demand is sufficient for additional hangar development at LXT, and what type(s) of hangar units our customers may be interested in.
With the expectation of the Runway Improvements to 18/36 being completed (5,500 ft x 100 ft grooved) in the fall of 2017, the airport is planning major facility improvements in the coming years.
Please visit the City’s website for a brief 3-minute survey by September 27, 2016.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LSAirportHangarSurvey
218 SE Main Street - Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 - (816) 525-6617 www.leessummit.org