Platte County EDC: 30 Years of Soaring Success
The Platte County Economic Development Council celebrated its 30th anniversary with a special luncheon on Friday, June 1st, at the KCI Marriott.
Platte County EDC Chairman Aaron Schmidt of Hunt Midwest welcomed the group of 175 people in attendance. Alongside PCEDC Executive Director Alicia Stephens, Schmidt recognized elected officials, the organization’s executive committee, board members, and premier investors. Stephens and Schmidt also recognized past 11 PCEDC board chairs, board members, and staff, as well as legacy members and partner economic development professionals.
Mike Duffy, City of Riverside and the PCEDC’s Secretary-Treasurer, then asked representatives from Platte County, the Missouri House of Representatives, City of Parkville, City of Platte City, City of Weston, and City of Riverside to come on stage to present Resolutions to Platte County EDC. The resolutions noted the long-term commitment of the Platte County EDC to the betterment of Platte County, particularly in creating new jobs and capital investment.
Kevin Corlew (MO House), Dan Fowler (KCMO Council), Aaron Schmidt (PCEDC Chair), Alicia Stephens (PCEDC Executive Director), Kathy Rose (Mayor of Riverside), Nan Johnston (Mayor of Parkville), Teresa Loar (KCMO Council), Frank Offutt (Mayor of Platte City), John Elliott (Platte County Commissioner), Cliff Harvey (Mayor of Weston)
Emcees Jim Bowers and Ed Ford
Following lunch, event emcees and past PCEDC chair Jim Bowers, White Goss, along with Ed Ford, Ford & Cooper, led a presentation showing the history of the PCEDC. Bowers presented a list of the top 10 highlights of the organization that illustrated the impact of the PCEDC. Ford then gave a bit of a walk down memory lane of his own with a look at Then and Now, discussing the differences in Platte County and the world from 1988 to 2018. Ford and Bowers then entertained the attendees with their Carnac the Magnificent skit, their throwback to the popular Johnny Carson skit of the 1980s.
The focus for the event was success over the past 30 years, so Stephens touched on future areas of focus, including a youth sports complex, a new terminal at KCI, workforce solutions, and a new strategic plan for the organization.
To end the celebration, Chairman Schmidt led a celebratory toast to 30 years of the Platte County EDC. Thank you to the event sponsors, Hunt Midwest and the KCI Marriott, as well as the event committee of Jim Bowers, Ed Ford, and Rosemary Salerno.