the Skinny OCTOBER 2016
IMN Data Center Show
Letter from the President While the nation’s attention is focused on the national election, the Lee’s Summit EDC has been busy implementing key organizational changes, rolling out exciting programs and events, and continuing to be out in the community at a variety of events. In November, we will begin interviewing candidates for our newly created Director of Community and Investor Relations position. We hope to have this key position filled by early January. In addition, LSEDC has hired a new executive assistant. Stephani Bordner joined the team on Oct. 24. Please stop by and say hello! Royals General Manager Dayton Moore was here for our Speaker Series luncheon on Nov. 2 at the Emaline Ballroom. Investors learned how Mr. Moore brought the Royals from worst to first in a few short years. Signed copies of Dayton Moore’s book, “More than a Season: Building a Championship Culture” was available for purchase. We had a great turn out with more than 100 people in attendance. Community engagement is a top initiative for LSEDC in 2016-17, and October was a busy month on that front, both in Lee’s Summit and throughout the region. I enjoyed sharing the latest LSEDC news with the Lee’s Summit R-7 Board of directors on Oct. 13 and just a few days later traveled to Santa Rosa, California with the Kansas City Area Development Council to attend an industry leading data center conference. Stay tuned! Finally, I am pleased to announce that LSEDC marketing and operations manager Tina Chace has been selected to join Leadership Lee’s Summit’s Class of 2017. The program identifies and cultivates future leaders with the potential to help shape and improve the Lee’s Summit community for years to come. LSEDC is honored to invest in Tina’s career and is grateful for her commitment to our organization and mission. As always, if you have any questions or know of a prospective investor who you believe would benefit from membership in the Lee’s Summit EDC, please feel free to give me a call so I can follow up, or better yet, invite them to a Hump Day Happy Hour!
Project Approval Update October was a busy month for significant project approvals from the City of Lee’s Summit. The City Council granted key rezoning approvals to the $215 million first phase of Paragon Star soccer village and the $225 million Village at View High mixed-use project. November and December are expected to be equally busy; projects under consideration include New Longview’s B&B Theatres at 3rd Street and View High, Westcott’s commercial development along Missouri 150 Highway, and the I-470 and View High Transportation Development District.
MC Power Plugs Into LSEDC Investor Spotlight LSEDC Urges Voter Support of Proposition L
A special thanks to MC Power for hosting LSEDC’s first on-site Investor Spotlight advisory luncheon on Oct. 5.
The LSEDC Board of Directors has voted to endorse Proposition L, which supports a facilities expansion for Mid-Continent Public Library, and is urging residents to support the ballot initiative when they head to the polls on Nov. 8. Proposition L calls for an increase in MCPL’s operating levy for the purpose of rebuilding and renovating library branches and maintaining and expanding library collections, services and programs. Proposition L would result in an average 1 percent property tax increase for the average household, raising assessed valuations by 8 cents per $100. In exchange, taxpayers will receive a new branch in the southeast area of Lee’s Summit and critically needed technology upgrades and facility expansions to the city’s two existing branches at 150 NW Oldham Parkway will receive and 1000 NE Colbern Road. Each year, MCPL issues more than 3 million books, magazines and movies to children; helps more than 8,000 senior citizens attend free tax-help programs; and helps bridge the “digital divide” by offering more than 600,000 public computer sessions to citizens who may not otherwise have access to the internet.
Investors had lunch and learned about MC Power and the advantages of doing business in Lee’s Summit from President and CEO Tony Ross, Senior VP Loren Williamson and Senior VP Brian Barton.
Be Sure to Get Social With Us If you haven’t yet liked LSEDC’s Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn page, we welcome the chance to connect with you!
Over the next 15 years, MCPL’s district population is forecast to grow to 1 million residents, and yet MCPL hasn’t asked for a levy increase in more than three decades.
Facebook continues to be our best source for reaching out to folks with over 19,652 posts reached - 18 page Likes - and almost 1,000 people engaged.
LSEDC believes approval of Proposition L will help secure and preserve an invaluable community asset for future generations of Lee’s Summit residents.
Our top posts this month: Quik Trip Bets on Lee’s Summit with $15M Investment Lee’s Summit Planning Commission Has Unanimously Approved $225M Village at View High
QuikTrip Expands In Lee’s Summit With Three New Next Gen Stores The City of Lee’s Summit has approved three new QuikTrip convenience stores for completion in 2017. The total investment is more than $15 million, according to Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council President and CEO Rick McDowell. “This is a significant investment by QuikTrip in Lee’s Summit and reflects the city’s growing population and commuter traffic as a result of ongoing business expansion and growth,” McDowell said. The next-generation stores, each of which employ between 15 and 17 people, are slated for Mulberry and US 291, US 291 and Missouri 150, and 800 NE Woods Chapel Road. The store at Mulberry and US 291 will be new construction; the other two locations are redevelopments of existing stores. Daniel Chambers, QuikTrip spokesman, said the city’s streamlined and simplified economic development process helped pave the way for the expansion. “QuikTrip is truly appreciative of the public-private partnership with the Development Team of Lee’s Summit. The proactive communication and willingness to provide assistance has made the development process appear seamless,” Chambers said.
Investor News Welcome to our NEWest Investor
The Grove @ Lee’s Summit - Benefactor Level -
The Grove is a proposed commercial/industrial mixed-use project along Mo. 291 Hwy and S.E. Bailey Road and comprised of approximately 73 acres. Project summary includes: - 220,00 SF Industrial Warehouse Manufacturing - 382,000 SF Commercial Office/Warehouse - 95,000 SF Office - 88,225 SF Retail - 444,000 SF Residential (384 units)
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 in downtown Lee’s Summit. This is a great way to introduce new investors to the organization. Come on down, have a drink and bring a friend! Your next chance to connect is November 16th @ 4:30 pm
QuikTrip’s Generation 3 stores are about 5,700 square feet -- 1,000 square feet larger than typical QT stores—and aim at a more upscale experience that can compete with coffee shops such as Starbucks. Stores include indoor and outdoor dining areas with a touchscreen for customers to place orders for hot and cold drinks, smoothies, soft-serve ice cream with baristas filling requests. Next Gen stores also sell adult beverages and fresh food offerings.
LSEDC Steps Up Investor Recruitment Efforts
The stores also have more entrances, with two in the front and two side entries, to allow for better traffic in and out of the store. Vendors will have access through a back entrance.
LSEDC will place a strong emphasis on recruiting new investors in the fourth quarter, and we need the help of our current members to reach our goals! In October, we rolled out new marketing materials. You can find them on our website at www.leessummit.org under About LSEDC/Become an Investor. Need help sealing the deal? Call on Rick.
Save the Date Meet Stephani Bordner, LSEDC New Executive Assistant Stephani brings 20 years of experience in Hospitality Management, Sales and Event Planning to the LSEDC. She has enjoyed both Operations and Sales Management with Rockhill Tennis Club, Leawood South Country Club and most recently was the General Manager of the Hawthorn Suites in Overland Park, KS.
Join Us! - LSEDC Quarterly Review November 3rd, 7 p.m. - City Hall
LSEDC Investors are encouraged to show support
KCADC Annual Meeting November 4th, 11:00 - 1:00 pm Invite Only
Hump Day Happy Hour November 16th, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm -Llywelyn’s ALL INVESTOR SOCIAL
Stephani is excited to represent the LSEDC and will be responsible for daily operations of the organization including; finances, meeting coordination and office management.
LSEDC / Chamber Holiday Party December 7th, 2016 - Longview Mansion
Stephani resides in Pleasant Hill, Mo with her husband Nick, 2 children; ages 2 & 6, and dog, Jessie.
Hump Day Happy Hour December 21st, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm -Llywelyn’s
Be sure to introduce yourself to Stephani at the next meeting!
LSEDC In the News In the marketing department, LSEDC enjoyed broad-based media coverage for a variety of projects in October. The Kansas City Business Journal, The Kansas City Star, MetroWire Media, Heartland Real Estate Business, The Lee’s Summit Journal and The Lee’s Summit Tribune covered Quik Trip’s expansion plans, $500 million in fresh investment on the city’s West Side, the proposed Village at View High mixed-use project, and LSEDC’s 2016-17 Speaker Series lineup announcements.
ALL INVESTOR SOCIAL
ALL INVESTOR SOCIAL
Our office will be closed for Thanksgiving Thur. 11-24 and Fri. 11-25
Look for targeted ad campaigns for 2016-17 with MetroWire, KCBJ and Heartland RE Business. 218 SE Main Street - Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 - (816) 525-6617 www.leessummit.org