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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 26, 2018
FROM: John Sharp, Vice President, South Kansas City Alliance, 816-876-1687
The latest news about major developments in south Kansas City and the success stories of new smaller south Kansas City businesses will be highlighted at the 5th annual South Kansas City Alliance (SKCA) Economic Development Summit Saturday, December 1, at Avila University.
The free event will run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will include a complimentary continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Persons should register online at the SKCA website www.SouthKCAlliance.org.
A special feature at this year’s summit will be a detailed presentation by Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate on opportunities for local businesses and residents to participate in the KCI Airport terminal project.
The company’s goal is to expand the pool of qualified and available contractors and tradespeople since the project is estimated to need an average of 800 workers per week, with a peak of 1,200 workers per week, for more than four years. Vendors also are needed to provide childcare services. on-site healthcare and transportation services.
Edgemoor representatives will explain an upcoming pre-apprenticeship training program to help individuals learn about and prepare to enter the construction trades. They also will discuss Edgemoor’s ongoing strategic partnership program which is a free six-month program described by the company as “a construction MBA for small construction businesses” designed to help take participating businesses to the next level. The program teaches business skills needed in the construction industry.
They also will announce the most recent updates on the timing and process for issuing the many requests for bids for construction of the terminal project that will be issued during the next year.
Company representatives will discuss breaking news about the expanding Cerner Innovations Campus; revitalization of Red Bridge Shopping Center; new patient services at St. Joseph Medical Center; the expansion underway at the world headquarters of Burns & McDonnell; new businesses at Three Trails Industrial Park; and the demolition, clean-up and planned replacement of the former Bannister Federal Complex with a major industrial park and possible retail services.
Successful new small south Kansas City businesses that will share the secrets of their success and explain their services will include Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, Big Momma’s Bakery-Café, COCO Brookside, Crows Coffee, Grade A Tree Care and Lady Bye.
There will be breakout sessions to help new and potential business owners on using social media and other forms of low-cost marketing, doing business with the city of Kansas City, Mo., and networking.
There also will be a breakout session on building stronger neighborhoods. Dina Newman, director of the UMKC Center for Neighborhoods, will explain the many free training programs for neighborhood leaders offered by the center. Officers from the Kansas City Police Department South Patrol Division will detail how to start a neighborhood block watch program and give tips on how to prevent burglaries and thefts, including deterring “porch pirates” this holiday season.
Various speakers will discuss employment growth by major south Kansas City employers and by types of industry, the need in the area for specific types of goods and services, available commercial properties, area housing starts and south Kansas City population changes and forecasts.
This year’s luncheon speaker is John Hoffman, a partner in UC-B Properties that is known for it’s successful housing and commercial projects in Kansas City’s urban core and in the Troost Ave. corridor.
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