December 2020 Newsletter

DECEMBER 2020

THE CHAMBER CONNECTION

Happy Holidays!

Learn

Community

Connect

Promote

December The Blue Springs Chamber is proud to offer several ways for you to learn & grow your business.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM TUSCAN’S FINE ITALIAN DINING

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:30 AM ZOOM MEETING

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 8:30 AM CHAMBER OFFICE

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER HERE

Come support our local businesses.

Mark R. Coulter, Vice President and

Get a glimpse of the True Colors

Each month we will gather for lunch at

General Counsel at Port KC,

program & how it can improve your

one of our many local restaurants - just

discuss the Missouri River Terminal

workplace

for lunch - no agenda! This will bring

(MRT) Project.

levels of employees to recognize their

will

revenue to our local restaurants while

culture

by

training

all

greatest strengths and create a more

we all network and get to know each

The MRT will establish Kansas City

collaborative business environment.

other better.

as the trade gateway of choice in the

During this session you will see how

Midwest. This inland port’s unique

focusing on your individual behavioral

and unparalleled access to the three

tendencies can improve your per-

major

formance and open doors to help you

transportation

modes

will

attract economic and employment re-

become a more successful leader.

investment within a 25-mile industrial

Presented by Trish Totta, Blue Springs

corridor on the east side of Kansas City,

Chamber of Commerce.

which has been long neglected.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 HOLIDAY SOCIAL SPONSORS Although we were unable to hold our annual Holiday Social this year, we still want to thank those that agreed to sponsor the event.

Unemployment Tax Rate Reduction for 2021 Effective January 1, 2021, Missouri employers will see a reduction in their unemployment insurance (UI) taxes due to a decrease in Missouri’s UI taxable wage base (TWB). For Missouri employers, the TWB will decrease $500 (from $11,500 to $11,000) as of January 1, 2021.

The taxable wage base is the maximum amount of wages per employee on which an employer must pay UI taxes in a calendar year. The TWB can be increased by $1,000 or decreased by $500 for any year, depending on the UTF’s average balance. Additionally, most Missouri employers will see an additional rate reduction of 12 percent for 2021.

Missouri employers can see how this change impacts them by logging into their account at uinteract.labor. mo.gov or by visiting labor.mo.gov/DES/Employers/tax_ rates

LEARN

NEW MEMBERS

MEMBER NEWS

Aaron’s Lawn & Landscaping LLC 1140 Old Santa Fe Trail Napoleon, MO 64074 (816) 598-2785 http://www.allyourlawn.com

Congratulations to Vanessa & Tim McClaren on the birth of their son Jackson Patrick McClaren on October 27. Vanessa owns Starke Law Offices.

Bliss Chocolatier 3100 SW 7 Highway, Suite D Blue Springs, MO 64014 (816) 655-2093 http://www.blisschocolatier.com Dental Depot 1500 S 7 Highway Blue Springs, MO 64014 (816) 295-7927 http://www.dentaldepot.net Grain Valley School Education Foundation P.O. Box 304 Grain Valley, MO 64029 (816) 847-5006 http://www.grainvalleyschools.org Kansas City Cannabis Co., LLC 1709 NW Burdett Crossing Blue Springs, MO 64015 (816) 223-7159 http://kccannabis.org

MEMBER RENEWALS Three Diamond Electric Johnny’s Tavern Blue Springs Sleep in Heavenly Peace Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina Blue Springs Family Eyecare George McCorkendale Auto Service Blue Springs City Theatre Price Chopper – North Discover Vision Senior Benefit Services Benton House Genevieve’s Home & Handmade Ad Trends Sage Door Group Blue Springs Farmer’s Market America’s Community Bank Alternative Wire & Cable Winterstone Golf Course Blue Springs Art League Equity Bank

The City of Blue Springs has hired Brandon Keller as the new Economic Development Manager.

Metropolitan Community College broke ground on the new Blue River East building on Wednesday, December 2. This will be the future home of MCC’s CDL, Utility Lineman, Logistics Programs and the Great Plains OSHA Education Center.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2020 Patient Safety Excellence Award. This distinction places St. Mary’s among the top 10% of all short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data as evaluated by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems.

Print Graphics is hosting a collection for Community Services League.

If you would like participate, please bring your donation of gift cards to Print Graphics by Monday, December 7th.

Have you used Square One Small Business Services? If so, you can have your business card added to the new Square One Art installation.

The artist will be incorporating local business cards and they need your help to collect them.

Please send your business card to: Square One Project, c/o MidContinent Public Library - East Lee’s Summit Branch, 2240 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Rashid Makhdoom of R&M Cleaning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends.

#BlueSpringsStrong Catch up on the latest #BlueSpringsStrong articles on the Chamber website. www.BlueSpringsChamber.com/BlueSpringsStrong

COMMUNITY

MEET A MEMBER Landon Warmund, Reliant Financial Services Reliant Financial Services has been around since 1995 and focuses on helping individuals in school district or nonprofit positions. Their main services include investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and student loan planning for helping individuals explore forgiveness opportunities. Reliant is located in the West Bottoms of Kansas City and has been working virtually since March.

Landon Warmund grew up in the Blue Springs area with both of his parents being small business owners in town. He went to Kansas State University to pursue a degree in Personal

Follow Reliant Financial Services on Facebook facebook.com/reliantfinancialservcies

Financial Planning. After college Landon came back to Kansas City to help individuals with financial planning & student loan planning. He’s also the only Certified Student Loan Professional in the state of Missouri. Outside of work Landon enjoys hunting, fishing, running, and pretty much anything else that involves the outdoors. Landon loves to be involved in the community. He’s currently on the GenBlueSprings planning committee and Director of NexGen for the Financial Planning Association here in Kansas City.

Our mission is to help you build a robust financial foundation for your future.

MEET A BOARD MEMBER DAVID SUTPHIN - EVERGY I am the Director of Customer Solutions at Evergy, the local electric power provider for Kansas and eastern Missouri. Because electricity is an essential part of our daily lives, the energy industry continues to evolve to meet the needs of our customers and the environment. We’re focused on moving energy forward, offering innovative solutions and providing reliable and safe energy to you.

David Sutphin, Evergy david.sutphin@evergy.com

Evergy has been a long-time member of the Blue Springs Chamber, and I have served on the Chamber board for 3 years. What I love about the Chamber is the opportunities it creates for allowing you to meet amazing people and businesses in the Blue Springs Community. I have been involved in other chambers, but Blue Springs Chamber is unique in how involved, resourceful and helpful the chamber staff and volunteers are to the businesses within the community. It has helped us stay connected with what is going on within Blue Springs Community.

My spouse (Kristina) and I have been married 15 years. We have 5 children ages (14, 13, 10, 8 and 2) and two dogs. I enjoy being with my family, playing golf, being outdoors and building things.

CONNECT

CALENDAR

#BUYBLUESPRINGS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

December 8 @ 11:00 AM Meet Me For Lunch Tuscany’s Italian Restaurant December 9 @ 8:30 AM Board of Directors Meeting December 10 @ 8:00 AM LEADership Day Small Business December 11 @ 7:30 AM Legislative Affairs Task Force Zoom Meeting December 15 @ 8:30 AM Power Hour Chamber Office December 17 @ 11:30 AM Monthly Luncheon Adams Pointe Conference Center December 24 - January 1 Chamber Office Closed Happy Holidays!

LOOKING AHEAD January 21 @ 11:30 AM Business of the Year Nominee’s Monthly Luncheon February 5 @ 6:00 PM Annual Banquet Adams Pointe Conference Center

48%

OF REVENUE FROM LOCAL RETAILERS RECIRCULATES WITHIN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

When you shop local you benefit from expertise, connect with your community, and strengthen your local economy. Find a list of local Blue Springs businesses at www.buybluesprings.com

5Ways to Support our Restaurants The food and beverage industry is struggling more than ever and our small, local, independent and family-owned establishments are being hit the hardest. Here are 5 easy ways we can all help our fellow business owners survive this pandemic.

1. Treat Your Employees - Are your employees going above and beyond to keep your business going? Show them you appreciate their long hours and positive attitudes by having lunch catered or ordering boxed lunches.

2. Support Them on Social Media - Whether it’s a favorite dish, a new menu or a general shoutout, interacting with social media posts from a business can significantly increase their engagemnet and widen their audience.

3. Give the Gift of Good Food - Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and even stuff stockings with gift cards to your family & friend’s favorite restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

4. Purchase merchandise - Many of your favorite places sell their sauces, seasonings and even DIY meal kits. You’re cooking at home, and they need some income, so it’s a win-win!

5. Reach Out Directly - Contact the manager at a local establishment and ask to donate to a staff member that is most in need.

PROMOTE

Congratulations

2020 Business of the Year Nominees!

Each year the Chamber recognizes businesses that are active members of the community and proud of what they have achieved in business. All nominated companies will be recognized by the Chamber at the January monthly luncheon on Thursday, January 21, 2021. The winner will be announced at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on Friday, February 5, 2021.

Mission Statement

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Eric Sporing - Chairman of the Board ECS Capital Investments David Sutphin - Chair Elect Evergy Chad Smith - Secretary/Treasurer Chad Smith Insurance Agency

To promote, develop and facilitate a strong economic environment in which the business community can grow and prosper.

Business of the Year: Colonial Gardens Citizen of the Year: Lyle Shaver, Spring Oak Property Management Connector of the Year: Kelly O’Reilly, Looks of Shear Elegance

Cody Raithel - Leadership & Community Development Central Bank of the Midwest

2020 PARTNERSHIPS

Zach Goff - Membership Events & Services Oswald Roam & Rew LLC

TIER ONE CPros, Inc.

Jacqueline Reed - Past Chairman Mid-Continent Public Library Jeff Carpenter Job One Christine Cates City of Blue Springs Kelly Chamberlain Cindy Miller Columbia College - Kansas City Clarissa Murray Fike Corporation Dr. Annette Seago Blue Springs R-IV School District Dr. Thomas Meyer MCC - Blue River Jaime Russell Anthem Photography Kirk Lair Central Jackson County Fire Protection District Kyle Caswell Print Graphics Marty Meyers Meyers Funeral Chapel Michael Scott Woods Chapel Church Blue Springs Rena Lopez Kohl’s Distribution Center

CHAMBER STAFF Lara Vermillion President lvermillion@bluespringschamber.com

TIER TWO Evergy Saint Luke’s East Hospital

Trish Totta Director of Membership ttotta@bluespringschamber.com Jeri Willingham

Director of Special Events TIER THREE jwillingham@bluespringschamber.com Bank 21 Central Bank of the Midwest Becca Blake Hy-Vee Food & Drug Store Communications Specialist bblake@bluespringschamber.com Los Cabos Mexican Grill & Cantina The Examiner Michael Zarrillo St. Mary’s Medical Center Operations Administrator mzarrillo@bluespringschamber.com

TIER FOUR Blue Ridge Bank & Trust Blue Springs Ford Cosentino’s Price Chopper First American Title Greco Agency Farmers Insurance Kohl’s Distribution Center New Age Graphics Oswald Roam & Rew LLC Print Graphics Zarda Bar-B-Q TIER FIVE Anthem Photography Jackson County Tow RE/MAX Heritage

2021 Sponsorships are now available. Contact Jeri at jwillingham@bluespringschamber.com for more information.

Building Business. Growing Community.

Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce 1000 W Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015

Phone : (816) 229-8558 Fax : (816) 229-1244 www.bluespringschamber.com