Rendering of the new MIC Campus
Photo courtesyMARCH of the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District Website 12TH
the Skinny
News from the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council - February 2016 INSIDE: Note from EDC President Rick McDowell......Workforce Development 101... Paragon Star Update...LS Expansions...Missouri Parntership...Save the Date...Investor Spotlight...Fans Flock to EDC Social Media...Become an Investor!
From the desk of President and CEO February has been an incredibly exciting and busy month for Lee’s Summit development projects, with a variety of new projects in the pipeline and existing projects ripe for announcement. The LSEDC and City of Lee’s Summit are working with a company interested in creating a collaborative workforce development incubator and hope to have an announcement this Spring. In 2016, we are expecting a flurry of activity relating to housing, and it all tees up in March with the release of a Housing Study commissioned by the Lee’s Summit EDC. In addition, NorthPoint Development presented plans for a 296-unit luxury apartment complex near Summit Technology Center, and council directed City Staff to continue to work on a development agreement. Stay tuned! On the organizational front, we are working on a program to bring new members into LSEDC and encourage additional involvement by existing members. Stay tuned for some announcements on this front that will involve some fun events designed to drive new membership and networking activity. 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,
Llywelyn’s......just in time for St. Patty’s After a successful grand opening Llywelyn’s will be gearing up for it’s first St. Patrick’s Day in Lee’s Summit. Come early and get your window seat for the annual Emerald Isle Parade! Parade Route: Downtown Lee’s Summit from 8th Street, the parade heads north on Green Street, west on 3rd Street, then north on SE Main Street. Parade begins at 12 pm.
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Workforce Development 101LSEDC, LSR7 team up for workforce development roundtable On Feb. 3 at the MCC-Longview campus, the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council hosted a workforce panel discussion with community stakeholders in primary and secondary education to share insights into workforce readiness programs. A primary topic of discussion was construction of the Summit Technology Academy/Missouri Innovation Campus, which is scheduled to open in August 2017. Special thanks to our panelists Dr. Chuck Ambrose, University of Central Missouri president; Dr. Kirk Nooks, Metropolitan Community College-Longview president; Stan Elliott, Missouri Innovation Campus director; Dr. David McGehee, Lee’s Summit R-7 School District superintendent; and Elaine Metcalf, Summit Technology Academy director, as well as our moderator, LSEDC Board Chairman William Brown. In the coming months, panelists and members of the Lee’s Summit Business Roundtable will meet to determine next steps in this initiative. If you would like to have a seat around the table, contact us for more information.
Paragon Star Update Paragon Star projects moves closer to reality The Paragon Star soccer village, housing and retail project received an important green light from the City in February, as the Lee’s Summit Tax Increment Financing Commission’s commissioners recommended unanimous approval of about $19 million in tax-increment financing for the proposed project at I-470 and View High Drive. Developers also announced financial commitments for construction of the 100-acre project. Paragon Star is a planned 100-acre complex of soccer fields, housing and retail.
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Lee’s Summit Expansions are BIG in 2016 High Tech Solutions expands in Lee’s Summit High Tech Solutions LLC, a manufacturer of aerospace machined components and assemblies, will invest more than $6.4 million in a new 22,000 square-foot building and equipment at 1440 SE Broadway Dr., with support of a tax abatement incentive approved by the City utilizing the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority (LCRA). The agreement includes a commitment to expand the new facility by at least 21,000 square-feet within five years at an additional capital equipment investment of more than $8 million. Under the development agreement, High Tech Solutions agrees to retain 19 existing jobs and hire 46 new employees. Construction is set to begin in March.
JCI Industries wraps up Lee’s Summit expansion JCI Industries has more than doubled the size of its Lee’s Summit production facility, with a 25,000 square foot shop expansion and plans to add upgraded machinery including new forklifts, cranes and lathes. The expansion wlll enable JCI to handle a greater volume and variety of customer needs, according to CEO Robert Kopp. “JCI has always prioritized excellence in customer service and a partnering approach with our clients — their business is our business,” Kopp said. The expansion represents a total investment of $3.1 million and brings JCI’s total footprint to more than 82,000 square feet. JCI is expected to hire 31 addition employees as a result of the expansion, which was announced in 2015. “This expansion is a direct result of a very positive collaborative effort between a longtime Lee’s Summit company, the Lee’s Summit Development Council, the City of Lee’s Summit and the LCRA. It is gratifying to have this level of cooperation in order to ensure companies like JCI Industries are able to grow and remain in Lee’s Summit, “ said LSEDC President Rick McDowell. The Missouri Department of Economic Development
announced February 2016 Expansions Lee’s Summit had 2 out of 7 retention “wins” for the state. We’re getting noiticed!
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Missouri Partnership CEO to address LSEDC Advisory Council Steve Johnson, CEO of the Missouri Partnership was the featured speaker at LSEDC’s Advisory Council Luncheon Wednesday, March 2 at John Knox Village. Mr. Johnson has more than 30 years leading regional economic development initiatives in communities throughout the U.S. He directs the Partnership’s marketing and business recruitment teams and works closely with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to improve Missouri’s business climate. He reiterated the importance of workforce development and strong regional relationships.
Save the Date ~ March 31st, 7:30 a.m to 9:00 a.m. - Board Breakfast Emaline Ballroom Open Agenda, candid format to discuss local EDC issues Board Members Only
April 6th, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Investor Luncheon TBD Featuring: A Developer’s Showcase
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Investor Renewals February 2016 Investor Renewals: Grand Champion Lee’s Summit R-7 School District
Leadership Partner KCP&L Equity Bank
Benefactor
Bushyhead, LLC Bartlett & West Block & Company CEAH Realtors Haynes & Woodward Investment Group Lee’s Summit Journal - KC Star Metropolitan Community College Next Gen Wealth RED Development SilverTree Companies Space Center Kansas City Superior Bowen Asphalt Company, LLC White Goss
Investor George Butler Associates Development Initiatives HG Consultants Hy-Vee East Hy-Vee West Paradise Park Parrot Properties Power Group Companies Summit Christian Academy
thank you!
Investor Challenge Call your friends - talk with your business partners Bring in a new investor in the month of March and receive a Llywelyn’s gift card for $75!!! - talk to Tina for more details
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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.
Here’s what you missed! ~ 6 reasons you’ll love Lee’s summit ~ Summit Tech students capture award ~ Sprouts Farmers Market to hire 150 employees ~ With an average annual salary of $67,000, the metro area cracked Forbes 2016 list of “Top 20 Happiest Cities to Work In Right Now.” ~ LS Health Foundation awards $75,000 ~ Neighborhood Cafe turns 5
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816.525.6617 | 218 SE Main Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | leessummit.org Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 8