the Skinny
News from the Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council October 2018, Q1
DOWNTOWN GETS RETRO WITH ARCADE ALLEY Photo rendering provided by Collins I Webb Architecture
Note from the President LSEDC is full speed ahead as we roll into the home stretch of 2018! We will be making a significant corporate expansion announcement in November, and I have been busy responding to what seems like a never-ending stream of RFI’s over the past month. I urge all of you to be sure to vote YES on the Prop D gas tax increase issue in the November election. LSEDC’s board of directors unanimously endorsed the proposal, which will provide significant funding for MoDOT road and highway projects across the state and in Lee’s Summit. On the BRE front, Jessica Hamilton continues to push forward with workforce initiatives. Manufacturing Day 2018 on Oct. 5 was a huge success, with more than 50 high school students from STA, Lee’s Summit West and Lee’s Summit North touring Polytainers, IPL Plastics, and Ultrax. Our team also has been busy working with EXL as it ramps up its local workforce to 200 team members by the end of the year. This fall, Lee’s Summit got some fantastic publicity from Gov. Mike Parson. He told folks in Perryville, Mo. the following: “When I go around the state of Missouri, there’s two towns that I use for examples of how communities get involved with projects and don’t always just wait on the government to do things... Perryville and Lee’s Summit, those are the two towns I use across the state of Missouri to talk about the people who do this.” It’s pretty awesome that the Governor notices we’re getting things right here in Lee’s Summit. We are fortunate to have four organizations that work together to create and support our winning pro-business environment: Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street; Velocity, a group dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in our community; and LSEDC. It is my opinion that one of the reasons we are so successful in Lee’s Summit is our community collaborations. It’s certainly something to think about! As always, if you have any questions or know of companies you think would benefit from membership in the LSEDC, please feel free to give me a call.
Yours Truly,
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the Rundown We distributed content through multiple digital channels and media outlets this quarter. Find these stories on our website at www.leessummit.org/news - - Lee's Summit Airport Celebrates Completion of T-Hangar & Taxiway Projects - - LSEDC Launches Past Chair's Club - - LSEDC Labor Shed Study Provides Insight into Local Workforce - - LSEDC Supports Proposition D - - Investor Spotlight: Lee's Summit Medical Center - - Lee's Summit Students Celebrate National Manufacturing Day - - David Bushek Joins City's Law Department - - RideKC LS Ridership Rises 2990 in 18 months
We hosted many events: Lee's Summit Royals Night KMBZ Day in Lee' Summit LS Community Partner's Strategic Planning Session Investor Spotlight - Lee's Summit Medical Center Hump Day Happy Hour - 3rd Wednesday of each Month Partnered with EJCDA at SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors) Annual Development Day National Manufacturing Day Facilitated the CEO Luncheon with City Leaders and Local CEO's HR Roundtable
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Business Retention / Expansion & Workforce LSEDC continues to bridge industry and education The Lee's Summit education ecosystem is an UNIQUE and VALUABLE asset to the community. If you are not leveraging the talent pipeline as a workforce solution, you are missing out. As local employers start tapping into the talent pipeline, they quickly learn how fostering relationships with the Lee's Summit education ecosystem provides the ROI they're looking for. Some of the traditional ways employers can plug-in: • Internships (paid or unpaid) • Apprenticeships • Company Tours • Guest Speaker (classroom)
Year-to-Date Stats:
221 32 56
Business Assists One on One Visits with Local Employers Education Assists
Most recently, we have determined another opportunity for students and employers to work together where students solve real-time company challenges. We call it Authentic Project-Based Learning. Students from Summit Technology Academy (STA) and the University of Central Missouri (UCM) work with local employers to solve company problems through classroom projects. This creates hands-on, real-world experience for students, free labor for employers, and fundamentally sound solutions at no cost to the company. The collaboration is led by instructors and professors who translate each company project into a learning tool. "Working with employors on real world problems is a terrific learning experience for both our undergraduate and graduate students", said Clarinda Dir, Career Development Coordinator, UCM. Students gain new skills and knowledge by taking on active roles in understanding organizational dynamics through active research. Specific skills include: critical thinking and problem solving, appropriate business communication, survey and interview desing, interpersonal skills, influencing skills, analytical skills, and presentation design delivery. Clients gain new insight into their organizations and receive actionable recommendations that are based on best practices and direct research findings. These young minds provide a fresh, "can-do" perspective where seasoned employees can often get siloed. "ULTRAX Aerospace is a great example. They've incorporated this concept with their internship program, essentially selecting students based on skillset and major, then assigning company projects for the summer. At the end of the program each student presents at the company-wide Demo Day BBQ." - Jessica Hamilton, LSEDC To get your company plugged into these opportunities, contact Jessica at jhamilton@leessummit.org
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CEO Luncheon: A candid conversation The quarterly CEO Luncheon in October included engaging conversations on topics surrounding public transportation, workforce, and employee training through certification programs. The third meeting of its kind, companies such as Bennett Packaging, Billy Goat Industries, GEHA, ULTRAX Aerospace, EXL Services, JCI Industries, Lee's Summit Medical Center and the Federal Government shared best practices in attracting talent through wage and benefits. The City of Lee's Summit added its perspective on the importance of growing and retaining top local talent. Representation from the LS R-7 School District and University of Central Missouri fostered discussion around education programs and the implementation of specialized certification programs. "Faciliting these conversations is imperative in communities, especially as it relates to workforce and business retention", said Jessica Hamilton, LSEDC Director. "Having open, candid conversations between education and industry fosters trust and collaboration as our community continues to grow."
Summit Technology Academy – International Studies Academy Traveling internationally on business soon? STA Global Prep Squad (GPS), a student-run, cultural consulting firm, can assist with your travel. GPS provides specific information on a given country, including its economy, industries, and markets, as well as tips on business etiquette and specific business phrases. GPS provides international market research that gives your company a competitive edge in global commerce. Don’t do the work yourself! Save time, energy, and money with international market research provided by GPS.
National Manufacturing Day Lee’s Summit students celebrate National Manufacturing Day
Teens explore careers in advanced manufacturing with tours of local companies LEE’S SUMMIT, MO - On October 5, 2018, more than 50 high school students visited a trio of Lee’s Summit companies to learn first-hand about careers in the advanced manufacturing industry. The educational event coincided with National Manufacturing Day, which was created to inspire students to choose careers in modern manufacturing. “This collaboration highlights Lee’s Summit’s strong educational ecosystem and the strategic collaborations that our partners have designed to help develop and prepare the workforce of the future,” said Jessica Hamilton, Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council’s director of community and investor relations. The event was made possible through a partnership between LSEDC, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, and local manufacturers Polytainers Inc., IPL Plastics Inc., and ULTRAX Aerospace Incorporated. “National Manufacturing Day is a great way to introduce students to the manufacturing career path," said STA Principal Jeremy Bonnesen. "We appreciate the willingness of three of Lee's Summit's leading manufacturing companies to open their doors to local students who truly are the workforce of the future." More than 50 juniors and seniors from Summit Technology Academy (STA), Lee’s Summit West High School and Lee’s Summit North High School observed manufacturing processes in real-time while engaging with engineers, programmers, machinists, and tool makers to learn more about career pathways in the advanced manufacturing field. “When I heard about all the different things I could be doing in the field of manufacturing, I was pretty excited,” said STA Student Czar Camarillo Bryan, 16. “I feel like I could change the world. Once I find out how things are made, I hope to learn how to tweak the process to make a product even better.” STA is located within the new Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC), a STEM-based educational collaboration between the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, Metropolitan Community College and the University of Central Missouri. MIC students obtain a bachelor’s degree in two years with little to no student debt, thanks to partnerships with the business community and community organizations. - See more photos on our Facebook page - Read more about National Manufacturing Day -
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Manufacturing Spotlight A Lee's Summit Local
Lee’s Summit-based Symtech Corporation is adding employees and making plans to expand its current manufacturing facility by 50 percent. The leading manufacturer of automotive headlamp alignment systems boosted its local headcount to 15 employees after acquiring a competitor in 2017, according to President Jason Kessler. “With the recent acquisition and new hires, we are near maximum capacity in our 22,000-square foot facility,” Kessler tells LSEDC. “We are currently completing plans for an addition and updated facade that would add almost 50 percent more production square footage.” Symtech’s growth could accelerate even further thanks to its partnership with a major automotive manufacturer to develop a new camera-based digital alignment system. The system is in place overseas and could place Symtech’s equipment in car dealership service departments all over the U.S. Kessler grew up in Lee’s Summit and launched Symtech in his hometown in 1994. He wouldn’t want to be anywhere else: “Growing up here and being a current resident, I have every intention to continue to expand within our current location in Lee’s Summit.” In addition to making headlamp alignment systems, Symtech also manufactures a full suite of automotive and heavy-duty fluid exchange equipment, patented headlamp restoration products and shop safety products to customers around the world.
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Investor News WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST INVESTORS! Advisory Board Member - $2500
John Beaudoin KC Communications & Media Matters
Investor - $1,000
K.C. Dumpster
Patron - $1,500
UMB Financial Corporation
Enrollment at SCA Hits Historic Record (Lee’s Summit) – Summit Christian Academy’s (SCA) 29th year finds them celebrating a record number of students filling the PreSchool - 12th grade halls. Growth has been seen at the Early Education, Elementary, and Secondary levels with total enrollment currently at 810 students. Enrollment is up 6.3 % over last school year which ended the year with 762 students. “I have had the privilege of interviewing 87 new families representing 150 students. I hear excitement in their voices as they talk about what we will offer their students academically. And they are very grateful their children’s faith will be supported by godly and engaged teachers,” commented Head of School Linda Harrelson. Director of Development Sarah Coats said, “Each year, we see and hear from more and more families that are moving to the Lee’s Summit community to be part of the SCA community. They are seeking a school that is not only academically rigorous, but more importantly where Christ is at the center of their child’s education. We find it a privilege and blessing that they are selecting SCA.” SCA’s International Program is also growing by adding students from the countries of Peru and France, which have not been represented before. The 23 students come from China, South Korea, Brazil, France, Russia, and Peru. International Program Director Kathy Tharp commented, “SCA’s global network is now reaching into the next generation, friends and family of the 103 international students who have come through SCA. Our entire student body benefits from the multi-cultural atmosphere through the exchange of perspectives, cultures, ideas, and friendships.” Provided by: SCA
Summit Christian Academy (SCA) is an independent, non-denominational Christian school serving 810 preschool-12th grade students from over 150 area churches with a college preparatory Christian education. Summit Christian Academy is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the North Central Association and provides a college-preparatory program, along with a full range of extracurricular activities. The staff and faculty at Summit Christian Academy strive to inspire students to discover and achieve their God-given potential.
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Missouri Innovation Campus and Summit Technology Academy Space Wins “Learning By Design” Award
The Missouri Innovation Campus and Summit Technology Academy building won the Grand Prize Award in the annual release of the nation’s best education design and construction process showcase through “Learning By Design” magazine. Five education facility design projects across the country were awarded Grand Prize. A distinguished panel of eight architects, education administrators and facility professionals reviewed 72 submissions and selected five Grand Prize Award-winning facilities that “are simply amazing projects.” Each of the five projects combined all the elements that make a learning environment successful—transparency, connectivity, safety, sustainability, great interiors, purposeful functional design and sophistication. About the Missouri Innovation Campus, jurors commented: “Loved the large range of differentiated space types to support various learning modalities and activities. Adaptable design for future use and changes is great. The design and programming have real world relevance.” Built in collaboration with the University of Central Missouri, DLR Group, Gould Evans and McGownGordon Construction, the Missouri Innovation Campus serves as a hub for high school and college students. As a result of participating in one of the Missouri Innovation Campus programs, students will be on track to earn a bachelor's degree just two years after graduating from high school. The Missouri Innovation Campus is a progressive initiative by the University of Central Missouri, Metropolitan Community College, the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District, community organizations and businesses partners. This program is designed to revolutionize the way students learn and work, while bridging the gap between skills and workforce demands. Provided by: Summit Techonolgy Acacademy Published by: Learning by Design Magazine For more about this award, visit the Learning By Design website.
ULTRAX Interns Served Innovation and Inspiration at Company-Wide Demo Day BBQ
On August 9th, ULTRAX employees and special guests gathered for a lunchtime cookout to celebrate our talented and hardworking interns. Burgers and hot dogs were on the menu, but the secret sauce was the creativity, innovation and results served up by the Intern Class of 2018. Interns hailing from top universities across the country joined Team ULTRAX in June where they were divided into teams and tasked with developing solutions for specific (and very real) challenges impacting development of new technology and overcoming barriers to successful implementation. The results just a few weeks later were nothing less than remarkable! On Demo Day, each team spent 15 minutes presenting their challenge, the chosen approach to identifying a solution, and team findings and recommendations. The result was an inspiring afternoon for everyone in attendance. The complexity of the challenges was no match for the intelligence, resourcefulness, and ingenuity of our intern teams. Their final recommendations will be used to improve internal processes and offer foundational insights to ULTRAX engineers and developers moving forward. If you would like more information on the Summer Internship Program with ULTRAX Aerospace, contact Sara Magruder at smagruder@ultraxinc.com. Applications are accepted year round. For more information about ULTRAX Aerospace visit www.ultraxinc.com. Provided by: ULTRAX Aerospace Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council | Page 7
Project Spotlight: Collins I Webb Architecture
Project Spotlight: Arcade Alley, 316 SE Douglas Street, Lee's Summit Mo 64063 Downtown Lee’s Summit will soon be home to one of the region’s first vintage gaming facilities, thanks to the vision of Downtown dwellers and restaurateurs Pat Maloney and Alex Ruiz. The co-owners of Main Slice Pizza will open Arcade Alley, a 5,700-square foot bar, restaurant and interactive gaming venue that caters to all ages. “An interactive vintage arcade is a concept that I’ve felt would work in our hometown for years. When the opportunity to have it come to fruition in Downtown Lee’s Summit arose, there was no way we could let this opportunity get away. We’re looking forward to making Arcade Alley a tremendous success,” Maloney said. Local architecture firm Collins | Webb is designing the unique space at 316 SE Douglas Street. Arcade Alley’s signature feature will be a custom bar crafted around the backdrop of a shipping container, with more than 30 beers on tap, a variety of slushies, and seating for 16. The arcade will offer more than 90 standard vintage games, five pinball machines, a shooting arcade area, air hockey table, and multiple player systems including Mario Kart, Pop-A-Shot and Skee Ball. “When Pat approached me about taking the former Lee’s Summit Cleaners building and turning it into an interactive vintage adult arcade/restaurant/bar it was a concept that just made sense. We want it to be a unique space that Downtown Lee’s Summit can be very proud of,” Ruiz said. Additional project partners include: Signage/Artwork: Fossil Forge Project MEP Engineers: PKMR Engineers, LLC Project Structural Engineers: Hardin Engineering, LLC Lending: Summit Bank of Kansas City General Contractor: Affinity Construction & Contracting Food Vendor: Reinhart FoodService, LLC Gaming Vendor: Mike Freeland and Brett Fuehring
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Hours of operation are as follows: M-F 4PM-1:30 AM (See Age Limit) Saturday 11AM-1:30 AM (See Age Limit) Sunday 11AM-midnight (See Age Limit) Age Limit : M-F 4PM-7PM All Welcome. 21 and over after 7 PM Saturday 11AM-7PM All Welcome. 21 and over after 7 PM Sunday – 21 and Over
"This is exactly why we moved our business to Lee’s Summit, the opportunity to collaborate with great people and businesses.” - Sam Collins, principal, Collins l Webb
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Coming up.... BUILDING Lee's Summit November 7th Quarterly Investor Meeting will feature a panel discussion centered around Lee's Summit development, present and future.
Topics include:
- The City's Strategic Planning Process - Comprehensive Master Plan - Target Areas of Development - Infrastructure
Participating Panelists:
Rick McDowell, LSEDC - Moderator Chris Gutierrez, KC SmartPort Bill Baird, Lee's Summit Mayor Steve Arbo, Lee's Summit City Manager Mike Lally, Olsson Associates Rob Holland, Cushman & Wakefield
**Look for a write up on our website and social media channels soon!
~ Save the Date ~
November
2018-19 Board Members Machelle Riffe Chairwomen Chip Moxley Vice Chair Tim Paulson Secretary Larry Hillier Treasurer Keith Asel Past Chair Bill Baird Mayor Steve Arbo City Manager Dr. Dennis Carpenter Superintendent, LSR-7 Ron Baker Board Member
Hump Day Happy Hour CANCELED - Happy Thanksgiving!
Will Coates Board Member
December
Julia Hampton Board Member
Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 5th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Longview Mansion
Linda Harrelson Board Member
Hump Day Happy Hour
Clint Haynes Board Member
January
Todd Haynes Board Member
Wednesday, December 19th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Llywelyn's, Downtown Lee's Summit (back room)
Speaker Series - featuring Ryan Weber, KC Tech Council Wednesday, January 9th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm The Stanley, Downtown Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit Economic Development Council
816.525.6617 | 218 SE Main Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 | leessummit.org
Mike Lally Board Member Eric Mann Board Member Loren Williamson Board Member