INSIDE: ~ President Update ~ Project Development ~ Real Estate Broker Event ~ Hotel Study Coming Soon... ~ Welcome, New Investor’s ~ Look who’s on Social Media!
the Skinny
News from the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council - September 2015
President Update Welcome to the September edition of your Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council newsletter. It’s hard to believe 2015 is more than halfway over, and it’s even harder to believe that it has been a year since I took over leadership of the LSEDC. Key accomplishments over the past year include partnering with the Lee’s Summit Development Center, which makes it easier for developers to bring projects to Lee’s Summit, City approval of a comprehensive incentive plan and working to retain and attract several key businesses in Lee’s Summit, including Bennett Packaging and JCI Industries. Most recently, our focus has been on branding the EDC in target markets including networking events in the metro area. There have been a couple of personnel changes to your EDC team. Tina Chace has been promoted to Marketing and Operations Manager, and Krista Klaus is assisting with public relations and social media for EDC. We look forward to a busy and prosperous 4th quarter of 2015 with some exciting announcements ahead. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call us!
Yours Truly,
Krista
Tina
Project Development A call center-based operation is looking at existing buildings in multiple cities in Missouri, Kansas and bordering states. The inbound customer service center has the potential to bring 150-200 new jobs to Lee’s Summit and visited the city to scout possible site locations in September. This project lead comes from KCADC (Kansas City Area Development Council), and we are working with regional partners to close the gap and make this project happen. Additionally, we are still in a holding pattern was we await decisions on a couple of long-term projects, including the relocation of a corporate international headquarters and an existing Lee’s Summit company planning an expansion.
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Real Estate Broker Event LSEDC and the City of Lee’s Summit Development Center are collaborating to educate metro-area commercial real estate brokers and developers about the ease of doing business in Lee’s Summit. The effort kicked off on September 15th at Lakewood Oaks Golf Club. Approximately 25 brokers attended a luncheon and learned more about Lee’s Summit and its development process. EDC Chair Bill Brown welcomed guests, followed by presentations from Mayor Randy Rhoads, EDC President Rick McDowell, Development Center Director Mark Dunning and City Administrator Steve Arbo.
The EDC will take the next step in this initiative by sitting down one-on-one with this group to gain feedback. “We want to know how we can help and the best way to do that is to ask.” Rick and Mark are looking for Champions in the commercial industry who want to work with them in a continued effort to build Lee’s Summit.
Hotel Study Coming Soon... John Beaudoin has been working hard behind the scenes to put together a comprehensive study of the City’s hotel needs based on current and projected business and population trends. “Thank you” to all of the investor’s who took the time to speak with John on this project. The inside information we get from local businesses is invaluable. Our next step in the process is to hire an outside group to put together their own results for legitimacy and comparison. Results of the study are due in the fourth quarter and are expected to be a tool in helping LSEDC attract a quality hotel operator.
Lee’s Summit Economic DevelopmentJuly Council 2015 || Page Page 33
Look who’s on Social Media! We’re beefing up our social media presence! Within one week of launcing our Twitter page, LSEDC had more than 300 followers!! 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.
New Investor Spotlight The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council extends a warm welcome to the following NEW Investors:
Jason Sanders, Turner Construction John Lovell, Cobbs Allen Steve Rich, Townsend Capital, LLC
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