The Platte County Economic Development Council celebrated its 27th Annual Business Excellence Luncheon on Friday, December 8th at the Embassy Suites KCI. The main event sponsor was the Kansas City Aviation Department, Bank of Weston sponsored a gift item to all guests, Platte Valley Bank was the award sponsor and BankLiberty sponsored the event program.
Ten Platte County companies were awarded Business Excellence awards for job creation and/or significant expansion and investment projects. These companies contributed $179 million in private investment, filled more than 800,000 square-feet of space and created more than 1000 new jobs. Community Development awards were given from the communities of Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City, Riverside and Weston.
Park Hill broadcast students Madison Flynn and Chance Jeffrey created a video that started the awards, and it featured the theme “Driving our Transformation.” To view the video, please click here. In addition to the 15 awards given, the Northland KCI Team was recognized for their efforts in helping A Better KCI succeed at the November election. Those recognized were: Aaron Schmidt, Ed Bradley, Darren Hennen, Sabin Yanez, Ed Ford and Sheila Tracy.
“Our annual Business Excellence lunch is an opportunity for the Platte County EDC and its members to say ‘thank you’ to those businesses which have chosen Platte County as the premier location to operate a successful and profitable business,” said Executive Director Alicia Stephens. “Our businesses are growing and expanding and this was a great event focused on celebrating Platte County successes and partnerships.”
2017 Community Development Awards
Weston Community Development Award winner: Celtic Ranch
The Celtic Ranch in Weston opened in 2005 and has created a fun and exciting experience for its customers. Owner Terry Kast is passionate about the Celtic heritage and specializes in finding exclusive, one-of-a-kind goods and spirits for sale. Kast also has a heart for many causes. Organizations she supports include the local Farmers House Market Organization, Multiple Sclerosis Organization, Children’s Mercy Hospital and Gaelic Athletic Association. She’s organized events such as the Red Head Rally and Wellies Race and is currently organizing a fundraiser for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kansas City. Kast also donates many items from her store to help local organizations with silent auctions and other fundraisers.
Kast is President of the Board of Directors for the North American Celtic Trade Association and is a supporter of the Hibernians of Kansas City. She constantly promotes Weston in many ways, including traveling to festivals in Wisconsin, Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Illinois. The Celtic Ranch continues to grow. Since opening they have launched an online store and have their own kilt line which is sold in 9 retail stores nationwide.
Riverside Community Development Award winner: Seattle Fish
In 2015, Seattle Fish moved into a state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot facility in Riverside that serves 12 major cities in 6 surrounding states. The company processes more than 3 million pounds of fish and 1 million pounds of oysters annually. Seattle Fish Company’s community outreach includes supporting the Riverside Fire and Police Activities League and its golf tournament. They also support No Kid Hungry, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Harvesters, and Seattle Fish is in the process of arranging each of its 48 employees to volunteer one day each year with their charity of choice.
Seattle Fish Company has also been instrumental in pioneering progressive green initiatives, including donating fish scraps to local pet food companies that process that protein for pet food. Seattle Fish Company will be celebrating their 100 year anniversary in 2018. The Kansas City location opened its doors in 2004, and the company moved its operations to Riverside in 2015.
Platte City Community Development Award winner: Platte City-Airport Chrysler
Platte City-Airport Chrysler has served the Platte County area since 2014. They currently have 19 employees, and most live in the Platte City/Platte County area. Platte City-Airport Chrysler enjoys being active in their community and giving back anytime they can. Platte City-Airport Chrysler continually supports the community through sponsorships to the Platte County R-III School District, the local YMCA, little league teams, and the Platte County Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Platte City-Airport Chrysler participates in many community events such as National Night Out, the Holiday Lighting, Sample the City and Summer Concert Series.
Not only is Platte City-Airport Chrysler community focused, they intentionally look to hire locally first and have invested in their location to improve and expand their site. Since Allen Brantley joined the team as the General Manager in 2015, the business has grown from 25 used and 75 new vehicles to the current average of 125 used and 150 new vehicles.
Parkville Community Development Award winner: ROSNET
ROSNET has been a Parkville business since inception. The company was launched in CEO Gene Peters’ own home before moving to its current location in the Parkville commercial underground in the late 90s. ROSNET has undergone tremendous growth and regarded as are true pioneers in the restaurant management systems field. The company currently employs 64 and expects to add more jobs in the coming years.
ROSNET takes pride in that many of their employees are from the Platte County area, and most of their employees stay with them long term. ROSNET loves the Parkville business climate and takes pride in supporting local businesses in both the downtown area and the 45 corridor. Giving back to their community is a priority for ROSNET, and they are members of the Parkville Area Chamber of Commerce, participate with Parkville Economic Development Council on workforce and HR issues. ROSNET also supports a number of charitable organizations via employee drives.
Kansas City Community Development Award winner: Haldex
Haldex, located in the KCI Corridor, is a 100-year old company which has operated under the name Haldex since 1989. Haldex provides innovative brake solutions to the global commercial vehicle industry, developing and manufacturing brake systems for heavy trucks, trailers and buses. In addition to its growth to 155 employees, Haldex has increasingly placed more focus on offering a more collaborative and positive work environment, with opportunities for growth within the organization.
Haldex strongly believes in giving back to their community and have done so by participating in the Northland CAPS program, Manufacturing Day and the Platte County High School Robotics teams. Earlier this year, Helmut was inducted into the Park Hill Schools Alumni Hall of Fame. The Haldex team’s educational outreach included donating an air board to the Northland Career Center Diesel Technology Program, which is operated by the Platte County R-3 School District. This device grants students the opportunity to acquire necessary skills and knowledge related to diesel equipment repair, preventative maintenance, personnel and shop management, parts work for transportation, construction, mobile and stationary diesel equipment applications.
2017 Business Excellence Awards
Edgewood Farms
Platte County’s retail offerings grew even more in 2017 thanks to the new Edgewood Farms development at Barry Road and Interstate 29. Edgewood Farm Partners, LLC owners are Kevin Jones, Dave Ross and Spencer Thomson.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened in March, and the 50,000 square foot Main Event Entertainment bowling and arcade venue opened its doors in May. Edgewood Farms has already filled 60,000 square feet and an additional 125,000 to 150,000 square feet of retail is planned, including a strip center with several tenants, along with three or four freestanding restaurants. Edgewood Farms will also have 275 apartments in several three- or four-story buildings.
Texas Roadhouse opened in November, and other announcements are imminent. Thus far, 435 jobs have been created with the Edgewood Farms development when factoring in both retail and construction jobs.
Exide Technologies
Exide Technologies is a global provider of stored electrical-energy solutions for the transportation and industrial markets. Exide’s 129 years of technology innovation combined with operations in more than 80 countries enables the company to deliver compelling solutions for the world’s current and future power needs. Exide produces and recycles a broad range of products, serving the Transportation, Industrial Power and Motive Power market segments with battery and energy storage systems and specialty applications for a broad range of industries.
Exide Technologies will create up to 50 jobs in its new punched grid manufacturing facility and distribution center in the KCI Corridor. The 180,000 square foot facility will have the capacity to produce over 3 billion grids per year for use in Exide’s transportation products. Kansas City is the ideal location for Exide’s new facility given its proximity to key Exide customers and access to an experienced local workforce.
International Academy of Science
In October of 2016, the International Academy of Science began to give new life to the Ambassador II building in Kansas City, Platte County. The Academy purchased the building and renamed it the Acellus Tower, which serves as its Kansas City campus. The International Academy of Science invested heavily in the building’s HVAC system in addition to a new roof, resurfacing the parking lot and many new interior finishes.
Each month, superintendents, principals, and curriculum directors from across the nation and around the world fly in to attend a 3-day Acellus Executive Training Seminar. The attendees learn about the Acellus Learning System, which is the fastest growing learning system in the nation. The Academy also operates graduate and post graduate applied education programs through the Institute of Science and Technology. The Institute offers degrees in the fields of Cybersecurity, Applied Science, Information Technology, and Distance Learning through rigorous programs that prepare students with the skills and experience essential for them to launch into productive post-graduate careers, empowered to make a significant, positive difference. With the new location, the International Academy of Science has already created 40 new jobs and is continuing to grow.
Kansas City Police Department North Patrol Division
The Kansas City Police Department North Patrol Division moved into its new Platte County station at 11000 Northwest Prairie View Road in June 2017. The original North Patrol station opened in 1976, with about 15 assigned staff members and the new station has 95 people on staff and is the first police station in Kansas City to be located in Platte County. North Patrol Division relocated to its new Platte County station due to the growth in the area, proximity to KCI airport and high visibility along Interstate 29. The new station has 26,500 square feet, which is 30 percent bigger than the previous station.
The station’s hands free employee entrance, covered police vehicle parking and outdoor locker systems are unique to this station. The building was designed to include significant sustainable and recyclable materials, and LED lighting is used both inside and outside. The new station includes space for the community to use free of charge for meetings and events and can hold around 50 people. City Architect Eric Bosch designed an artwork piece for the Community Room. It is entitled ‘Crossing Paths.’ A sculpture called “To Serve and Protect” was chosen for the front of the new station, and it was designed to represent the strong relationship between the Kansas City Police Department and the community it serves.
Kansas City Airport Marriott
The Kansas City Airport Marriott recently completed extensive renovations to its 381-room hotel. Located just north of KCI, the hotel completely renovated its guest rooms, updated 18 meeting spaces, and will soon renovate its ballroom. Rooms at the Kansas City Airport Marriott now feature laminate floors, 55-inch internet televisions and built-in furniture for a more spacious feel.
The Marriott’s onsite restaurant has been renamed “KC tap + table.” The two-level restaurant offers seating for 180 between the main restaurant, expanded bar area and new 100-foot patio overlooking the lake. The new restaurant concept includes a new menu with more local and sustainable products, and the expanded bar features 24 tap beers, many of them local. The concierge lounge has been reinvented into the M Club Lounge. Now located on the Lobby Level, the M Club is a private lounge with 24/7 access offering a daily breakfast buffet, specialty coffees, pure water, signature cocktails, and snacks. Business center services and multiple large-screen TVs are available for the hotel’s highest level reward members or for guests who opted for this amenity.
The Kansas City Airport Marriott employs 160 people, and has added 12 new jobs in recent years with expanded sales and accounting teams. The extensive capital improvements demonstrate the Marriot’s continued commitment to investing in its hotel and Platte County.
Meritas Health Landmark at Tiffany Springs
North Kansas City Hospital’s footprint continues to grow in Platte County. This October, it relocated Meritas Health Landmark into a new building in the Tiffany Springs/KCI Corridor. The new primary care clinic offers family and internal medicine services. It is the first new building in the North Kansas City Hospital Tiffany Springs Health Plaza, located on 11 acres of land with access from Congress Street and Ambassador Drive.
Meritas Health Landmark at Tiffany Springs is 8600 square feet and currently home to three physicians, with room to grow. The new clinic is the third Meritas clinic in Platte County, and a new occupational health clinic will soon open in Riverside. Through its Meritas Health subsidiary which was founded in 1994, North Kansas City Hospital offers the largest network of physician practices in the Northland, with 143 physicians and advanced practitioners in 30 locations. Meritas Health is the fourth largest physician network in the metropolitan area.
Premium Waters
Since it opened in 2012, Premium Waters of Riverside has continued to grow. The original facility was 165,000 square feet, and a 105,000 square foot expansion was completed in 2015 to help house some of the 30 million cases of bottled water produced onsite each year.
This year, the company added an additional bottling line to keep up with demand. Premium Waters has added a significant number of new jobs on its corporate side. This expansion has created an additional 38 jobs to its previous 120 employees, and the new roles include clerical, transportation, customer service, production operators, maintenance mechanics, and forklift drivers. Premium Waters supplies its bottled water to customers all within a 400-mile radius. The operation is now in production 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Stonecrest at Burlington Creek
Stonecrest at Burlington Creek is a stylish new assisted living and memory care community located just off 64th Street in Kansas City. Northpoint Development took the lead of developing Stonecrest Senior Living, and its Burlington Creek community opened in 2016. The 88,000 square foot community features 85 total suites: 55 assisted living suites and 30 memory-care suites. The facility is set on 7 acres of landscaped grounds with spacious outdoor areas with walking paths.
The community is equipped with a state-of-the-art emergency response system, a fitness center offering progressive senior-specific exercise equipment and caring staff on hand 24-hours a day. Northpoint Development, who operates seven senior living communities in Missouri, Indiana and Michigan, aims for its senior living residents to enjoy a relaxed and untroubled lifestyle. Stonecrest at Burlington Creek’s opening created 72 new jobs for Platte County.
Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Tutera Group opened its state-of-the-art senior living community on Ambassador Drive in October this year. Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community will offer both short-term rehabilitation services and extended stays. The first phase, the Tiffany Springs Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, features 88 private suite accommodations and 32 semi private suites.
The second phase, the Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community, will offer 179 independent living units, 36 assisted living units and 35 memory care units. The full community will comprise 300,000 square feet of senior living space and create 75 new jobs.
The center’s impressive list of amenities includes outdoor therapy spaces with healing gardens, multiple dining venues, a full service salon and spa, an art gallery plus multiple entertainment options. Tutera’s mission includes its YOUNITE philosophy, which combines the terms “You” and “Unite” to represent the unification of the individual and their surroundings that effect their overall well-being and sense of satisfaction. The Tiffany Springs location, which will eventually employ 225 people, was chosen due to its proximity to Northland hospitals.
TownePlace Suites Kansas City Airport
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Kansas City Airport became the newest hotel in the KCI Corridor in January 2017. The 4-story hotel features 106 suites which range in size from 309 square foot studios to 592-square foot 1-bedroom suites. TownePlace Suites Kansas City Airport provides spacious living with fully equipped kitchens, large workspace with plenty of storage, free Wi-Fi, smart TV’s, a 24 hour fitness center, free hot breakfast, an indoor salt water pool, outdoor BBQ grills and a fire pit. Catering to long-term guests and offering tiered rates based on the length of stay, and a 215 square foot conference room.
The 56,000 square feet TownePlace Suites Kansas City Airport currently employs 32 full time staff. TownePlace Suites is owned and operated by local Kansas City company RHW Management. RHW has been operating hotels in Kansas City and around the country since 1983.