Area Economic Development Powers Up

Ingram's Magazine was proud to inaugurate its sparkling new facility in Kansas City's Freight House District by hosting an exceptional gathering of the area's economic development professionals and elected officials from area cities and counties. Nearly thirty area leaders from throughout our 20 county area assembled on a pleasant late October afternoon and laid out the blueprint for greater Kansas City's future.

This assembly was part of Ingram's Magazine's ongoing effort to highlight economic development issues in Kansas City's greater metropolitan area.

Although there was candid talk about the challenges the area faces, particularly in its competition with other regions, participants eagerly discussed the progress in their respective areas and expressed a consensual enthusiasm about the progress the area has been making as a whole.

As a way of catching each other and the reader up with local progress, participants were asked to describe what significant projects were underway in their area and to discuss what effect these projects were having on the culture of their respective area.

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

(seated left to right)

Jeff Samborski
North KC Office of Economic Development

Chairman Charles Jones
Douglas County Commission

Greg Kindle
Southwest Johnson County EDC

Mayor Steve Hawkins
City of Liberty

Eric Danielson
Lenexa Chamber/EDC

Sandy Allison
Miami County Economic Development

Jim Hampton
Clay County EDC

(standing left to right)

Jean Othic
Warrensburg Area EDC

Pete Fullerton
Platte County EDC

Art Ruiz
Belton Corporation for Economic Development

Tom Weigand
City of Ottawa/Franklin County EDC

Greg Baker
City of Kansas City, MO

Doug Kinsinger
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce

Brent Miles
City of Riverside

Bruce Hahl
Independence Community Development

Lynn McClure
Leavenworth Area Development

Chairman Don Navinsky
Leavenworth County Commission

Doug Spangler
City of Edwardsville

Dale Garrison
Ingram’s Magazine

Joe Sweeney
Ingram’s Magazine

Kate Michaelis
Northeast Johnson County Chamber/EDC