Issuu

Jacotow.com

30 Trucks

Trained Drivers

Weâ€™re always on our tows Call for our Blue Springs to Blue Springs Flat Rate Pricing

Locally Owned

2 Community Profile

24/7 Towing

Accounts welcome

Primary Care Providers BLUE SPRINGS INTERNAL MEDICINE 205 NW R.D. Mize Rd, Ste 400, Blue Springs, MO 64014

Lin Clark, MD

Specialty – Internal Medicine; Board Certified – Internal Medicine

Dean Mundhenke, MD

Specialty – Internal Medicine; Board Certified – Internal Medicine

OAK GROVE MEDICAL CLINIC 302 SE Salem Street • Oak Grove, MO 64075

Steve Gialde, DO Specialty - Family Medicine Board Certified - Family Medicine, Hospice Care, Palliative Care

Maggie Ngar, DO

Family Medicine Board Certified: Family Medicine

816-228-9841 | 816-228-8667 fax bluespringsinternalmed.com

Meng Zhao, MD

Specialty – Internal Medicine; Board Certified – Internal Medicine

Tammy Osborn, ANP-C

Board Certified – Advanced Diabetes Management

816-690-6566 | 816-625-8276 fax oakgrovemedicalclinic.com

Adam Legg, DO

Family Medicine Board Certified: Family Medicine

Samantha Castlebury, FNP Board Certified: Family Medicine

FAMILY MEDICAL CARE ASSOCIATES 816-228-1000 | 816-436-6035 fax

100 NW Mock Ave, Ste 200 • Blue Springs, MO 64014

Vincent DeMarco, DO

Specialty - Family Medicine Board Certified - Family Medicine

Linda McCormick, DO Specialty - Family Medicine Board Certified - Family Medicine

familymedcareassociates.com

Elizabeth Gatrost, FNP Board Certified - Family Nurse Practitioner

Jackie TeBeest, FNP Board Certified - Family Nurse Practitioner

Eliska Webster, PA-C

NCCPA Certified Physician Assistant

Community Profile 3

CONTENTS 5 Quick Resources

& History of Blue Springs

6 City Government Elected O fficials

7 Emergency Services

Central Jackson County Fire Protection District & Blue Springs Police Department

8 Discover Blue Springs

Visiting Blue Springs, Starting a Business, & Downtown Alive!

11 Blue Springs by the Numbers

Tax rates, community profile & climate

12 Blue Springs School District

Board of Directors, facilities, employees, & programs

14 Chamber of Commerce Mission & Staff

15 Business Directory

Where to find the Chamber member & business directory online

16 Chamber Board of Directors 17 Chamber Committees Ways to get involved

FROM THE CHAMBER Welcome to the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce! It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Board for 2021. My wife and our five children are proud to call Eastern Jackson County our home. Our children attend classes in the Blue Springs School District, a district that is nationally recognized for academic performance and extracurricular achievements by students. In addition, the city government is led by compassionate individuals who have our citizens’ best interests in mind. The Blue Springs Police Department and Central Jackson County Fire Protection District are both top-notch organizations that keep our citizens safe and secure. As a chamber, we’re always striving to meet the continuously changing needs of our members while being an effective, influential community partner. 2020 was a year that no one could have ever imagined or will forget. In March a worldwide pandemic (COVID-19) impacted all of us in many ways and has brought many challenges for our residents, local businesses, schools, government and the chamber itself. Through these uncertain times, our Blue Springs community has consistently risen to support our local small businesses. Our businesses are going above and beyond to provide a clean and safe environment to shop and dine with confidence. As we move out of 2020 and into 2021, I realize just because the calendar has changed, it doesn’t mean this pandemic has gone away. We are all still in challenging times and not out of the woods yet, but be assured your Chamber has high aspirations for 2021 being a year of recovery. Now more than ever it is important to shop locally and support our area businesses. Click here to view an up to date business directory, or visit www.bluespringschamber.com Blue Springs Chamber is dedicated to promoting, developing and facilitating a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper. As a proactive business organization, your chamber will use its strengths and diverse resources to ensure our community remains a safe, dynamic and vital economic center.

David Sutphin, Evergy 2021 Chairman of the Board Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce 4 Community Profile

QUICK RESOURCES Abuse/Neglect Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline (800) 392-3738 Hope House (816) 461-4673 National Child Abuse (800) 422-4453

Children/Youth Newborns in Need (417) 881-2229 Youth Outreach (816) 228-0178

Community Blood Center (816) 224-0728

MO Regional Poison Control (800) 222-1222

Salvation Army (816) 252-3200

Senior Citizens Resources

United Way (816) 472-4289

Crisis Intervention

AARP (800) 687-2277 OATS, Inc. (816) 380-7433

Boy’s Town (800) 448-300

Vesper Hall (816) 228-0181

Center for Disease Control (800) 282-4636

Elder Abuse Hotline (800) 222-8000

Child Find of America (800) 426-5678

Health & Information Services

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (800) 843-5678

Alzheimer’s Disease (800) 272-3900 Medicaid Recipient Services (800) 392-2161

National Human Trafficking (888) 373-7888

Medicare Information (800) 633-4227

Better Business Bureau (816) 421-7800

National Immunization Information (800) 232-4636

Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213

Community Services League (816) 229-0033

National Runaway Safeline (800) 786-2929

Veterans Administration (800) 827-1000

Community Services

HISTORY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI Blue Springs’ history is tied to the migration of settlers on their westward journey. Pioneers found the area to be an ideal stopover due to the abundance of cool, clean water from a spring of the Little Blue River—hence the name Blue Springs. The presence of water and a need for pioneer supplies led to the construction of a grist mill and permanent settlement at the current site of the City’s Burrus Old Mill Park on Woods Chapel Road.

City the fourth settlement in the county to be incorporated. Today, Blue Springs is a progressive, business-friendly community in which to grow your ideas and your business. We are well known for our favorable housing market, award-winning schools, and our designation as a preferred place to live, work and play.

View the City of Blue The Jackson County Court granted Springs Resident Guide at the incorporation of Blue Springs www.bluespringsgov.com for a on September 7, 1880, making the list of elected officials and City contact information. Community Profile 5

CITY

GOVERNMENT

he Mayor is elected at-large for a four-year term. The responsibilities ofthe Mayorinclude serving as the ChiefExecutive Officerofthe city, attending,voting, and presiding overCityCouncil meetings and appointing members of various Boards and Commissions. Carson Ross, a Blue Springs resident for 47 years, was initially elected as Mayor in April of 2008. Prior to his election as Mayor, Ross served a total of 14 years in the Missouri House of Representatives. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in 1977 and retired from Hallmark Cards with 39 years of service. The Blue Springs City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month for official Council Meetings for actions on legislation, at the Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building. All Blue Springs City Council meetings are televised live on CTV7 and on the Cityâ€™s website at www.bluespringsgov.com

Mayor Carson Ross cross@bluespringsgov.com (816) 228-0110

District 1 Councilmember Galen Ericson gericson@bluespringsgov.com (816) 210-8293

District 1 Councilmember Jerry Kaylor jkaylor@bluespringsgov.com (816) 220-0599

District 2 Councilmember Kent Edmondson kedmondson@bluespringsgov.com (816) 215-8175

District 2 Councilmember Chris Lievsay clievsay@bluespringsgov.com (816) 674-5108

District 3 Councilmember Susan Culpepper sculpepper@bluespringsgov.com (816) 916-5696

District 3 Councilmember Ron Fowler rfowler@bluespringsgov.com (816) 228-1568

6 Community Profile

EMERGENCY SERVICES BLUE SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT The Blue Springs Police Department has an authorized strength of 101 sworn officers, 40 civilian employees, and 6 part-time employees. The mission of the Blue Springs Police Department is to provide the highest quality of police services to the Blue Springs community, by promoting a safe environment through police and citizen interaction, with emphasis on integrity, fairness and professionalism. Photo by Anthem Photography

Population: 55,829 Violent Crimes: 99 Property Crimes: 1,216 Violent Crimes per 1,000: 1.77 Property Crimes per 1,000: 21.78

Online crime mapping helps residents form a better understanding of the crime activity in their area so they can make more informed decisions. To view crime mapping in Blue Springs, visit www.bluespringsgov.com/ crimemap “Text-A-Tip” allows users to anonymously report suspected criminal activity to the police department. Text “BSPD plus your message”, to Crimes (274637). Emergency - 911

Non-Emergency - 816-228-0150

CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT The Central Jackson County Fire Protection District (CJCFPD) provides public education, regional EMS education and all hazards response including Fire, Emergency Medical, Community Paramedicine, Heavy Rescue and Hazardous Materials to Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lake Tapawingo and some unincorporated areas of Jackson County. CJC employs 134 command, operations and support staff trained and equipped to carry out the mission of the District. CJC staffs and operates a full-time, front-line fleet of four fire engines, one ladder truck, one Command vehicle, and five paramedic ambulances from five stations. CJCFPD is one of only 280 fire departments worldwide and one of only 7 in the state of Missouri accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. They are also one of only 102 having been awarded a Class 1 Public Protection Classification from the Insurance Services Office. For more information please call 816-229-2522.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT) Educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact our area. For more information call (816) 229-2522 Community Profile 7

DISCOVER BLUE SPRINGS

ou wouldnâ€™t think of Blue Springs, Missouri as a traditional tourist vacation spot but; in reality, tourism can be defined as any visitor that comes to our city and spends money. In other words, are you in the area for youth sports tournaments, to visit friends and family. Are you on a day trip to Kansas City or weekend trip? You are a visitors to Blue Springs. We know that once you have been here, you will want to come back. Located on I-70 just 20 miles east of downtown Kansas City, Blue Springs offers visitors an easy and convenient commute to nearby attractions and all parts of the Kansas City metropolitan area, while offering a quiet, suburban setting with an excellent selection of lodging, eating establishments, retail stores and recreational activities. There are 19 public parks, numerous 8 Community Profile

shelters and playgrounds, a disc golf course, dog park, an 18 hole golf course and two skate parks in Blue Springs. There is an extensive recreation program with a wide variety of leisure opportunities and over 200 activities and events offered annually. In addition, there are many exciting community events planned in Blue Springs that also draw visitors to our area. In the winter we have the Mayorâ€™s Holiday tree lighting and free concerts are available in Rotary Park every Sunday evening in the summer. Whether your visit is for business or pleasure, we are glad you are here and hope you will return often. We welcome you to our community and would like to make your stay entertaining and enjoyable. Visit www.discoverbluesprings.com to explore more!

Here in Blue Springs, the City of Blue Springs, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, and the Blue Springs Economic Growth & Development Division work together to serve the business community. We encourage you to take advantage of free/reduced priced training and counseling services available here in Blue Springs. Visit www.BlueSpringsGov.com or Click here to download the Business Resource Index (PDF) featuring resources to help prepare a business plan, secure financing, pair you with a business coach and connect you to fellow entrepreneurs in our community.

As a member you can SAVE BIG on business insurance! Billups & Snyder Associates specialize in commercial insurance, combining more than 60 years of insurance experience and expertise. Let us help you cover all you’ve built, so you can take care of your business.

1/2 PAGE Ad

Call today for more information!

GAILEN SNYDER • KEN BILLUPS JR. • BRAD TYER 816.229.4100 • BLUE SPRINGS agency@billups-snyder.com www.billups-snyder.com

DOWNTOWN ALIVE! Downtown Alive! participates in Missouri Main Street Program which focuses on a Four Points Approach, including Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion. Established in 2011, the Downtown Alive! committee works to encourage appropriate aesthetics in the downtown area, through appropriate building rehabs, infill development and downtown design unification. It capitalizes on downtown assets, such as historic buildings and creates an inviting atmosphere through window displays, parking areas, signage, sidewalks, street lights and landscaping. Contact Pam Buck at 816-808-7553 to get involved!

“Blue Springs is an attractive residential area and a hub for commerce.”

Photo by City of Blue Springs Community Profile 9

It takes a local business owner to protect one. John Hardy, Agent 1201A NW Jefferson St Blue Springs, MO 64015 Bus: 816-224-6560 john@insurekc.net

As a small business owner in our community, I understand what it takes to protect your small business. Let me help you get insurance for your business at a great value. Stop in or give me a call.

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, Florida State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX 1706444

10 Community Profile

8.6%

SALES TAX RATE State of Missouri: 4.22% State (Prop C): 1 % City of Blue Springs: 1% City Public Safety: .5% City Transportation: .5% City Parks Maintenance: .5% City Police : .5% CJCFPD: .5% Conservation: .125% Soil Conservation: .1% Kansas City Zoo: .125% Jackson County Stadium: .375% Jackson County: .5%

BLUE BY SPRINGS THE NUMBERS POPULATION ................................59,945

HOUSING

AGE/SEX

Owner-Occupied Unit Rate ...........71.3%

Under 5 Years .....................................8.3%

Median Home Value .................$166,000

Under 18 Years ................................28.7%

Median Monthly Mortgage ..........$1,435

Over 65 Years ..................................13.4%

Median Monthly Rent .......................$971

RACE/ETHNICITY

EDUCATION

White .................................................84.4%

High School Graduate or Higher...95.1%

Black/African American ...................7.7%

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher...........34.6%

Hispanic/Latino .................................5.5%

County Drug Task Force: .25%

Two or more races .............................3.8%

Children’s Services Fund: .125%

Asian ........................................................2%

PROPERTY TAX

American Indian/Alaska Native ..... 0.4%

Blue Springs School District: 62.64% CJCFPD: 12.6% City of Blue Springs: 7.85% Jackson County: 7.67% Mid Continent Public Library: 4.33% Metropolitan Comm. College: 2.52%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ...0.1% INCOME & POVERTY Median Household Income ...... $71,481 Per Capita Income Last Year..... $29,927 Persons in Poverty ............................7.9%

HEALTH With a Disability Under 65 Years.....7.4% Without Health Ins, Under 65 .........6.2% EMPLOYMENT Total Employment ..................................7% Total Labor Force ............................30,923 Civilian, Employed ..........................28,765 Civilian, Unemployed ........................2,158 Unemployment Rate...........................3.3%

Mental Health: 1.28% Board of Disabled Services: .79%

BUSINESSES

Blind Pension Fund: .33%

Male Owned Firms ...........................2,063

TAX DISTRICTS Oaks at Woods Chapel CID*: 9.6% White Oak CID*: 9.6% Sunset Plaza CID*: 9.6% North Blue Springs CID*: 9.6% Adams Farm Transportation Development: 9.6%

Approx. Size: 22 Sq/Mi. Mean Temp: 55 Degrees

Female Owned Firms .......................1,674 Minority Owned Firms ........................564 Veteran Owned Firms ..........................433

Avg. Precipitation: 42” Avg. Snowfall: 16”

I-70 & Adams Dairy Parkway Transportation Development: 9.1%

Avg. Winter Temp: 36°

*CID- Community Improvement District

Avg. Summer Temp: 86° Community Profile 11

BLUE SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT THE BLUE SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT The Blue Springs School District, located on the eastern edge of the Kansas City metro area in Jackson County, covers 58 square miles and includes students from the communities of Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Independence, Lake Tapawingo and Lee’s Summit. Enrollment in the district for the 2020-21 school year currently stands at more than 14,904 students. Within our school district boundaries, we have more than 80,000 residents. The Blue Springs School District employs a highly qualified, diverse staff of over 2,147 employees. There are 1,060 certified staff (more than 84% hold a master’s degree or above) and 1,087 support staff.

Community Profile

The Blue Springs School District has a rich tradition of academic excellence. Today this tradition continues with major advancements in our curriculum and efforts through technology to place materials in student hands wherever they might be. The district has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 18 consecutive years.

SUNNY POINTE ELEMENTARY EARNS BLUE RIBBON The 2020 school year began with Sunny Pointe Elementary adding a new color to its school – blue. The home of the Pumas is the proud recipient of the National Blue Ribbon School designation from the United States Department of

Education. Sunny Pointe is the sixth Blue Springs School District school to receive Blue Ribbon status in the past five years. James Walker Elementary was honored in 20192020. William Bryant Elementary was honored in 2018, Voy Spears Jr. Elementary in 2017 and BSSD had two recipients in 2016 – Lucy Franklin Elementary and William Yates Elementary. SPE Principal Cassie Gengelbach said SPE being honored as a Blue Ribbon school reflects the entire SPE community. “Receiving the Blue Ribbon recognition is a testament to the hard work that our staff, students, and parents have poured into SPE for years,” she said. “It’s a true honor to be recognized at such a high level for the work that we do every day. This achievement can only be accomplished if all stakeholders are working together in unison with a shared vision and mission. I am so proud of the staff. Their commitment to our students is second to none. They work tirelessly to ensure each child’s academic, emotional, and social needs are met. Our mission for every child to achieve in the classroom starts with creating a culture where every child feels like they belong. Congratulations to our entire SPE community on this amazing accomplishment!”

DISTRICT RECOGNIZED AS TOPS IN KC METRO The Blue Springs School District has been named the top district in the Kansas City, Missouri Metro area by Niche, an online site connecting people to schools, neighborhoods and workplaces. Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools based on statistics and opinions from students and parents. The BSSD received an overall A+ grade, topping the Kansas City Metro in overall ranking and in the â€œBest Overall Places to Teachâ€? category. Our district can attribute much of its success to the continuing support of our parents and community and the hard work of our dedicated staff. This year has been made possible by our students, families, and staff members for following health and safety guidelines across the district. Those efforts enable us to keep providing the highest quality and safest learning opportunities for our students every day.

Blue Springs High School................... 816-874-3400 Blue Springs South High School.......816-874-3500 Blue Springs Freshman Center..........816-874-3440 Brittany Hill Middle School................816-874-3470 Delta Woods Middle School............. 816-874-3580 Moreland Ridge Middle School........ 816-874-3540 Paul Kinder Middle School................ 816-874-3560 Chapel Lakes Elementary...................816-874-3600 Cordill-Mason Elementary................. 816-874-3610 Daniel Young Elementary................... 816-874-3630 Franklin Smith Elementary.................816-874-3640 James Lewis Elementary.................... 816-874-3650 James Walker Elementary..................816-874-3660 John Nowlin Elementary.................... 816-874-3670 Liggett Trail Education Center...........816-874-3680 Lucy Franklin Elementary...................816-874-3690 Sunny Pointe Elementary...................816-874-3700 Thomas Ultican Elementary.............. 816-874-3710 Valley View High School.....................816-874-3750 Voy Spears Jr. Elementary..................816-874-3720 William Bryant Elementary................816-874-3730 William Yates Elementary.................. 816-874-3740

Education with Distinction Superintendent.......................................................... Dr. Paul Kinder Superintendent Elect................................................ Dr. Bob Jerome Deputy Superintendent C & I................................. Dr. Annette Seago Asst. Superintendent HR......................................... Dr. Leslie Evans Asst. Superintendent of Business Services....... Kirk Sampson Asst. Superintendent Mgmt. Services................. Jason Woolf Asst. Superintendent of Special Services............ Dr. Jill Brown Secretary, Board of Education............................... Karin Keener Director of Transportation...................................... Jeremy Morgan Director of School Nutritional Services............... Brian Harris Director of Buildings/Grounds............................... Dan Anderson Director of Curriculum and Instruction............... Steve Cook Director of Technology............................................. Dr. Brandon Martin Education Foundation and Public Relations...... Katie Woolf Director of Human Resources................................ Shawn Roderick Director of Special Services.................................... Beth Fuller Executive Director of Student Safety................... Sam Gilkey Director of Employee Benefits.............................. Tyler Freeman Director of Cub Care................................................. Rhonda Malone Adult Education Coordinator.................................. Marlee Bunch

District Facilities Enrollment Elementary (K-5): 6,417 Middle School (6-8): 3,405 High School (10-12): 4,535 Early Childhood/MHP: 290 Alternative High School: 162 Board Members President: Rhonda Gilstrap Vice President: Kurt Swanson Fiscal Vice President: Bryan Dennie Member: Kay Coen Member: Bobby Hawk Member: Jeff Siems Member: Steve Westermann District Services Bartow Administrative Center: 816-874-3200 Community & Youth Outreach: 816-228-0178 Community Profile 13

Through uncertain times, the Blue Springs community has consistently risen up to support our local small businesses. Now, our businesses are going above and beyond to provide a clean and safe environment to shop and dine with confidence. The #BlueSpringsStrong campaign features businesses that have shown strength and resilience despite the hardships that COVID-19 has brought. They lead by example, care for our community and encompass all that makes us #BlueSpringsStrong!

Learn more at

BLUESPRINGSCHAMBER.COM/BLUESPRINGSSTRONG

14 Community Profile

CAR WON'T GO?

FROM ANY MOBILE DEVICE

** TOW or 816.524.9688 SANTAFETOWSERVICE.COM

Community Profile 15

BLUE SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

he mission of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce is to promote, develop and facilitate a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper. To help our members grow, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce has developed four pathways that help every business accomplish their goals: Learn, Strengthen the Community, Connect and Promote. By offering educational programs, community partnerships, numerous networking events and promotion opportunities, Chamber membership keeps business owners on top of important, ever-changing issues and trends within their community and local marketplace. This has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging and unpredictable time, the Chamber has been a reliable resource by keeping members informed on local, state, and federal updates, helping navigate disaster assistance loans, offering unemployment & return to work resources, and more.

“To promote, develop and facilitate a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper.” 16 Community Profile

Our vision statement says it best: “The Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce strives to meet the continuously changing needs of its members and be an effective, influential community partner. As a proactive business organization, the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce will use its strengths and diverse resources to ensure that Blue Springs remains a dynamic and vital economic center.” No matter which path your business takes, let the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce guide you on your journey! With over 520 members, together, we are #BlueSpringsStrong! For more information, visit www. bluespringschamber.com

CONTACT THE CHAMBER 1000 W. Main St., Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 209-8558 | www.bluespringschamber.com bsinfo@bluespringschamber.com

BUSINESS