GOING NORTH NEWSLETTER MAY-JUN 2012 ISSUE 122 406 ARMOUR RD, SUITE 240, NKC, MO 64116 816-472-7700 WWW.NKCBUSINESSCOUNCIL.COM

NKC FirstLookPresidents Level Sponsors

Sometimes needs, interests, opportunities and resources come together in magical ways. That is what seems to be happen-ing with an initiative to increase the focus on, and the effectiveness of, workforce

in North Kansas City, Missouri.

Various businesses and agencies have been treating workforce development as a priority as the economy has begun to improve and businesses are either scaling up or considering how they will replace valued, experienced, retiring employees. Some of the businesses and support agencies who have an inter-est in working together agreed to meet April 23 in a forum organized by the North Kansas City Business Council

of workforce development in North Kansas City, to examine the resources available and to reach agreement on important next steps.

Businesses seeking good employees in manufacturing and information technol-ogy are the ones taking the lead. Some of the support organizations include Metropolitan Community College’s Business and Technology Center, Colo-rado Technical University, Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Technical Education Center, the North Kansas City School district, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the City of North Kansas City, the Clay County Economic Development Council, the STEM Alli-ance (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Full Employment Council and, of course, the North Kansas City Business Council.

If you were not represented at the April 23 discussion and have an interest in be-coming more involved in this workforce development initiative, please contact Rich Groves, Business Council Executive Director at 472-7700 or richard@nkcbusi-nesscouncil.com.

When you ask one of your U.S. Sena-tors to speak at a monthly luncheon and the answer is “Sure, I would be glad to,” you might have to change the

schedule. That is what happened in

April. Our luncheon was re-scheduled to be two weeks earlier

than normal, giving us only two weeks to publicize the change. However, ap-proximately 100 people were treated to an articulate, interesting “D.C. Up-date” by Senator Roy Blunt. He spoke

-tion passed and of the importance of realizing this is one of those times in our nation’s history when some impor-tant decisions and changes are needed – particularly with regard to the tax code, social security and the propen-sity to take on additional debt.

FARMER’S MARKET 2012The North Kansas City Farmers Market is back in business for the summer as of Friday, May 4. The market, located in Caboose Park at the southeast corner of Armour and Howell, is open from 7 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. every Friday. With the early spring weather this year shoppers can expect more locally-grown, fresh produce earlier than usual. There will also be friendly vendors with baked

goods, honey and home-made crafts. The hours are designed to cater to the “before-the-workday” people and the “lunch-time” people as well. Be sure to stop by the Farm-ers Market early and often this year.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE SENATOR BLUNT WAS A HIT AT THE APRIL

MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

Senator Roy Blunt addresses the Coun-cil at the April 12 luncheon.

North Kansas CityHotel/Motel Tax

North Kansas City voters approved

election. It is expected to generate as much as $500,000 a year to be used by North Kansas City to promote tourism, economic development and to help fund infrastructure projects. The City Council, with input from City staff, will determine how to allocate the funds each year as part of the annual budget-ing process.

TORNADOPREPAREDNESS

Readyfor a Fun

Golf Event?The 16th Annual Mickey Finn Schol-arship Golf Classic will be Thursday, June 7, at Tiffany Greens Golf Club.

Once again, Valspar is the Title Spon-sor for this popular event which includes lunch, dinner, snacks, prizes and an auction. Other major spon-sors include liNKCity, Mid-America Contractors, Hunt Midwest, National

-sas City Hospital, North Kansas City Iron & Metal and North Kansas City Beverage. Additionally, many busi-nesses have contributed to be Hole Sponsors. As of this writing, additional teams are still being accepted. Contact the

jennifer@nkcbusinesscouncil.com if you want to sign up as a team or as an individual golfer. Entry forms are also available on the Business Coun-cil website at www.nkcbusiness-council.com. Proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for North Kansas City High School seniors.

North Kansas City has been fortunate that tornadoes have bypassed us. But you never know if the next one might have our name on it. Every business location (and residence) needs to have a plan for shelter-in-place. Owners and managers at most locations have been

go. If not, some suggestions have been offered by Fire Chief Dave Williams. You can read more in depth about this at

are some of the key points:

plan.

If you have more detailed questions, Chief Williams will be glad to assist.

Our experience in downtown North Kansas City last Spring was that it isn’t obvious where employees and custom-ers can go when a tornado warning

occurs. Here are some locations whose management has agreed to be listed as emergency shelter locations. Most of these are available only during normal day-time working hours, however.

Armour and Erie—use the Erie Street entrance and go downstairs to the base- ment

and Swift—use the main entrance and go downstairs using the stairway to your right

enter through the front door or from the alley on the west side—go down- stairs using the stairway near the side door entrance

go downstairs through the small the- atre to the left

through the Fire Dept. door

enter through the main door and go downstairs (library hours only)

MeierottoProject

Approval was given at a recent City Council meeting allowing MJT Re-development Company to proceed with a project to construct a 30,000 sq ft building at the southeast corner of

retail business to be operated by Mei-erotto Midwest Jewelers. This is the site currently occupied by Opportuni-ties Unlimited Publications (O.U.P.), a Conoco service station and conve-nience store and a car wash. The new building will provide an attractive feature at an important gateway to North Kansas City as well as generate

North Kansas City.

Put Your Business in the Newsletter

A little known “secret” is that any North Kansas City Business Council member can use this newsletter to help promote their business by paying to include an insert. The newsletter goes to at least 1,200 individuals at businesses in North Kansas City – to both members and non-members. The cost to include an insert is $200 plus providing 1,200 copies ready to be inserted. If two or more businesses wanted to share the cost of one insert sheet that could be arranged also at a prorated cost per business. Con-tact Jennifer at 472-7700 or jennifer@nkcbusinesscouncil.com if you would like to take advantage of this way to promote your business.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For details go towww.nkcbusinesscouncil.com

FIRST FRIDAY COFFEEMAY 4

Knockouts Haircuts for Men400 Armour Rd

June—no First Friday Coffee in June because of the golf tourna-

ment on Thur., June 7

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS MAY 16

InsureOne—Business After Hours combined with a ribbon-

cutting at their new location,2352 Armour Rd (near Donut

King and Quiznos)JUNE 20

DQ Grill & Chill, 615 Armour Rd.

MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEONSat Finnigan’s Banquet Venue,

505 E 18th Ave

MAY 24Missouri Legislature Update,

Jerry Nolte, Committee Chair, In-ternational Trade & Job Creation

CommitteeJUNE 28

Bill Ouseley, former FBI agent— author of “Mobsters in Our Midst”

PUT YOUR BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT!Member businesses have the opportunity for a high level of attention and reward

and services and any current promotions

reinforce your message

The cost to promote your business in this manner is $100. With that investment you will reach 50-100 individuals (and sometimes more) at the luncheon as well as all those who view the Facebook page or read the e-Newsletters plus the indirect effect of anyone else these people tell about what you have presented.

The newest Board member of the North Kansas City Business Council is Nick Abernathy, President of Info-Data Services. Five other Board members were re-elected for three year terms: Doug Coleman—Hunt Midwest; Tim Dolan— Edward Jones

Architects.

-

Corn Products; Vice-President, Mike Hayes—ProPrint Digital;

Treasurer, Steve Osborne—Steven T Osborne, CPA. Immedi-ate Past President, Carolyn Henry—Concerned Care, will also serve on the Executive Committee.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN by Tom Furdek Having served as the Business Council’s Vice-President the past two years, I agreed it was time to take on the role of President. I enthusiastically represent the manufacturing sector of businesses in North Kansas City as Plant Manager of the

the interests of the other sectors of North Kansas City’s businesses. With several progressive economic development initiatives happening (Meierotto’s project, re-development of the former ADM site, Exltube’s expansion, Smokin’ Guns’ expan-

re-use of the former “Cable building”, etc) there are a lot of positives, economically, in North Kansas City.

I will be working closely with Business Council Executive Director Rich Groves

the Business Council, but always keeping in mind our mission – “to promote and advocate for business and quality of life in North Kansas City, Missouri.”

New Board Member & Board Officers

The Business Council is seeking at least two dozen businesses to be featured on posters to be displayed in downtown businesses before, during and after a “Senior Stroll” on Saturday, June 30, which is part of the CentennialFest celebration. This is another opportunity for North Kansas City businesses to get recognition in the year-long Centennial celebration.

North Kansas City is blessed with many successful, long-time businesses with some very interesting stories. There is no cost to the business to participate with the poster display. Each poster will feature one business with an interesting or surprising fact about that business.

will receive a prize for participation from the Centennial PlanningCommittee - and the satisfaction of learning more about some of thebusinesses in North Kansas City who have made it what it is today. ProPrint Digital and Times Two Cre-ative are the sponsors for this Business Council activity.

If you would like your business to be one of the featured businesses with a CentennialFest poster, please contact Rich Groves, Business Council Executive Director at 472-7700 or richard@nkcbusi-nesscouncil.com.

CentennialFest will run from Wednes-day, June 27 through Sunday, July 1.

Here is a schedule of activities for the week:

North Kansas City CentennialFest - A Celebration 100 years in the Making!

Wednesday, June 27Vietnam Memorial: The Wall That Heals Half-scale, traveling replica of the Viet-nam Memorial Wall, which is located in Washington, D.C. Open 24 hours in the North Kansas City High School Football Stadium, E 24th Ave & Howell St, North Kansas City, MO 64116 – will be open continuously, 24 hours a day and night, until Sunday evening.

Large Carnival Midway Open day and evening as long as crowds remain. Behind Colorado Technical University, E 18th Ave & Howell St.

Thursday, June 28Carnival Midway and The Wall That Heals continue

Friday, June 29 Carnival and The Wall That Heals

continue Free KidZone Open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

& Howell StKansas City Zoo Open House in Mack-

en Park 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Educational staff displays and talks about caged snakes, insects, wart hogs, etc. Shelter House #1, west side of Macken Park

Stone Lion Puppet Show & Puppet- making Workshop 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. “It’s A Jungle Out There”, Festival Shel- ter on east end of Macken Park

Friday in the Park 11:30 - 1 p.m. Variety Music by PenderBlast Red-e-mix, Festival Shelter on east end of Macken Park

Farmer’s Market 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ca- boose Park, Armour Road & Howell St.

Festival Show Wagon 6: 30 - 10 p.m. Festival grounds, 18th Ave & Fayette St 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines International (80-100 women singing) 8 - 10 p.m. Byron Jones’ Northtown Opry, 10-piece live opry show

Saturday, June 30Carnival and The Wall That Heals

continue Morning Fun Run through industrial

district and Senior Stroll through retail district

Free KidZone Open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Howell StStone Lion Puppet Show & Puppet-

making Workshop 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. “The Toybox”, Festival Shelter on east end of Macken Park

Festival Show Wagon 6 - 10 p.m. Festi- val Grounds, 18th Avenue & Fayette St 6 - 7:30 p.m. Fabulous Torques - 50’s & 60’s Rock & Roll; 8 - 10 p.m. A NKC Historical Review with the 5 Star Jazz Band paying tribute to Medal of Honor Recipient, Colonel Don Ballard

Fireworks Display the hillside north of Macken Park – view from Macken Park or the festival area behind DQ Grill & Chill

Sunday, July 1 The Wall That Heals continuesEnabling the “Vietnam Memorial: The Wall That Heals” to be in North Kansas City is the result of the initiative and sponsorship of Jerry Barham, former City Councilman and owner of Missouri Poster, Banner & Sign Co.

Recent Event HostsSincere thanks to the following for their hospitality at recent Business Council events:

CentennialFest WeekSeeking a Few Curious Business Facts

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALSinvestment. If your business is not yet a member of the Business Council—or once was a member but let your mem-

businesses. Call Rich Groves at 472-7700 or look on the Business Council website www.nkcbusinesscouncil.com for a membership application and other facts about membership.A&N HardwareAccent AdvertisingAccent Special Event Rental, Inc.Accurate Superior ScaleAlamar UniformsAllen H. Bell & AssociatesAmerican Boiler & MechanicalAmerican Family Insurance

Arctic Glacier Premium Ice

Attic Storage of NKCAunt Mary’s CookiesAward Service CompanyB & B Meat CompanyBaisch & Skinner, Inc.

Barbara E. Hecht, P.C.Barsto Construction, Inc.Best BatteriesBJ Management Company

Bridge View HallBurlington Northtown Community Credit UnionC & C ProduceCates Auction & RealtyCenterpoint PropertiesCentury Fire SprinklerChappell’s Restaurant & Sports MuseumCisco ToolCity of North Kansas City

Clayco Electric CompanyColorado Technical UniversityCommerce BankConcerned Care, Inc.Consolidated Technology

Country Club BankCT CommunicationsCTWCullum & Brown, Inc.

CyberAg Feed Co., Inc.

Davis Paint Co.Day Star CorporationDonut King

DQ Grill & ChillDrive Now Auto Credit, IncEdward Jones InvestmentsEdwards McDowell, Inc.Enterprise Bank & TrustExecutive Financial ConsultantsFabri-Quilt Inc.Farmers Insurance, Curtis Wilson AgencyFDC Contract, A. John A. Marshall Co.Ferguson & FergusonFine Foot Care Center

First Federal BankFirst United Methodist ChurchFirst WatchFlorock MidwestFrazier DeCamp FinancialFry & Associates, Inc.Garden Complements, Inc.H&R Block

Harrah’s Casino & HotelHelzberg DiamondsHi-Gene’s JanitorialHoliday Inn Express And Suites

Homoly ConstructionHorizon CPA ServicesHunt Midwest EnterprisesIndustrial Hardware Distributors, Inc.Info-Data ServicesInsure OneInteva Products

James Printing CompanyJim’s Discount Tire & BrakeJudi’s Bakery CaféKarbank Real Estate CompanyKC Blueprint & Planroom

Kelso’s Pizza

King Chiropractic and AcupunctureKiwanis Club of North Kansas CityKnockouts Haircuts for MenKoch Bag & Supply Co.Krueger & James Insurance Agency

liNKCity

Maxus Properties, Inc.McConnell & AssociatesMcTechMead O’Brien, Inc.Meritas Health CompanyMid-America ContractorsMissouri Poster, Banner & Sign Co. Inc.

Morrill & Janes BankMTS ContractingN. T. Realty, Inc.

North Kansas City BeverageNorth Kansas City Electric Co.North Kansas City Family & Cosmetic Dental

North Kansas City HospitalNorth Kansas City Hospital Occupational Medicine

North Kansas City Iron & Metal

North Kansas City SchoolsNorthCare HospiceNorthland Festivals

Ofe’s International SpaOPRA: A Division of Clover TechnologiesPaci’s Cafe & TavernaPat’s PubPaul & Jack’s TavernPizza BlendsScreenland Armour TheatrePraxair Inc.Premier BankProPrint DigitalQuality Plumbing, Inc.Robert Wm. Humble, CPASAS Factory Shoe StoreShafer, Kline & Warren, Inc.Siggins Co.Sign Craft Inc.

SipvineSmith Tool & Fasteners IncorporatedSmokin’ Guns BBQ & CateringSnapShots Gun ShopSoli PrintingSouthwest Technologies, Inc.State Farm InsuranceState Representative Jay SwearingenSteamatic of Kansas CitySteven Osborne, CPAStor Safe WarehousesStuppy, Inc.

Synetic TechnologiesTanan FloralTech ExpressThe Gardens at NorthgateThe Maids

The Tobacco HouseThe Work Zone, Inc.

Tiffany Greens Golf Club

Times Two CreativeTnemec Company, Inc.

Tyler TechnologiesUniFirst CorporationUnited States Gypsum Co.ValsparVocational Services, Inc.Wagner Industries, Inc.Washer Equipment Co.William Duensing, Jr. DDSWilliams Spurgeon Kuhl & Freshnock Architects Inc.Yates Electric Company, Inc.Zimmer Realty Company

NKC Business Council406 Armour Road, Suite 240North Kansas City, MO 64116

EXECUTIVE LEVELSPONSORS

Rich Groves

This month, I have two themes for “What I learned about NKC businesses . . .” The

has done with the American Inn during the past year”.

Jason became the Director of Operations at the American Inn in the Spring of 2011

North Kansas City Jason has undertaken a complete renova-tion of the hotel’s rooms and lobby, upgraded internet access for rooms and common areas, upgraded the Spirits Restau-

contracted business with trucking companies and railroads. Jason’s current focus, along with Sales Director Tanya Frisch, is to acquaint businesses and organizations about the avail-ability of multiple conference rooms and catering for all types of events at Presidential Hall. They are actively using social media to communicate this message.

Jason is enthusiastic about the expected improvements in the neighborhood when Meierotto’s Midwest Jewelers builds

-ings that house what is now the American Inn have a long history in North Kansas City, including the claim that it was

the Rodeway Inn. Jason’s primary goal is to establish the American Inn as a safe, inviting, convenient, affordable and comfortable food, beverage and overnight retreat and con-ference site, offering all the amenities and attractions of its national brand competitors.

On a totally different topic . . . another thing I recently learned

Company has a retail paint store at 1311 Iron Street. Davis Paint moved away from a network of retail stores, but this one still remains and offers factory-direct prices and conve-nience for people who live, work or shop in North Kansas City. You can contact the Davis Paint retail store at 436-7432. The retail service center has a selection of over 1,300 colors of paint. Kevin Ostby, President of Davis Paint. is a Past-Presi-dent of the North Kansas City Business Council and contin-ues to be a strong supporter of the Business Council.

Davis Paint is known for top quality paint and coatings for homeowners, contractors, architects and industrial use. Davis manufactures multiple lines of paint, such as: Davis Industrial Coatings, Davis Architectural Paint, Cook Consumer Paint, Sahara Oasis Swimming Pool Paint, Eli Weatherby’s Exterior Wood Stains, Master Painter Contractor Coatings and top quality Hold-Tite house paint.

Executive Director’s Comments, by Rich Groves

PLAN AHEAD FOR BURLINGTON TRAFFIC!!!

be closed in both directions from late July until the end of the year in order to make sig-

the underlying base near the Missouri River levee in place and support the road. The bad news The good news—especially if you have a business on Burlington that is helped by additional visibility—is slow-moving