Colbern Road & Highway 7 intersection

Mayor Ross saying a few words at the ribbon cutting.

MoDot Area Engineer Matt Killion saying a few words at the ribbon cutting.

City Administrator Eric Johnson, Mayor Carson Ross and MoDot Area Engineer Matt Killion cutting the ribbon.

First Alert News about the Missouri Innovation Park January 9, 2012 Dear Blue Springs EDC Supporters: As a news subscriber to Blue Springs EDC you are receiving our news alert news about the Missouri Innovation Park (MIP). During the past several months the Blue Springs EDC, City of Blue Springs and the University of Missouri (MU) have been working to deliver concrete next steps to advance the Missouri Innovation Park and MU's Mizzou Center.  In November an updated "Letter of Agreement" was signed by MU Chancellor Brady Deaton, City of Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross, Blue Springs EDC Chairman Lyle Shaver, and President Brien Starner, which spelled out specific next steps, responsibilities and timetables to move the MIP and Mizzou Center project forward. To this end the City acquired 3.5 acres recently and is in contract to close on additional land to enable 24 acres at any time that will be developed as the first Phase of the Missouri Innovation Park, covering 63 acres in Phase I.  The City is the primary investor in the Missouri Innovation Park and is issuing today an RFQseeking a development/design team to respond by January 20th to our proposal to build a 50-80,000 square foot building to house the University of Missouri for their Mizzou Center growth plans within the MIP.  Additional space within the building is intended to support those companies whose growth and research would benefit from the collaboration between MIP and MU's research and development oriented opportunities.  We are also hopeful our current Economic Development Administration grant will establish the "business case" for business incubator/business accelerator space in the same building by 2014, for our study planned to get underway soon. Stay tuned for more news on Blue Springs, the EDC and Missouri Innovation Park in coming weeks and months. Read the complete RFQ here.   Brien M. Starner, CEcD President Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation 1600 NE Coronado Drive Blue Springs, MO   64014 816.228.0209 (O) 816.918.9947 (C) bstarner@bluespringsedc.com www.thinkbluesprings.com

Blue Springs EDC | 1600 NE Coronado Drive | Blue Springs | MO | 64014

The changing of the calendar to a new year is typically seen as a time for fresh starts and new beginnings.

For Blue Springs, 2012 will be the year in which we see visible progress on the Missouri Innovation Park on Adams Dairy Parkway. As the University of Missouri prepares to break ground at its permanent location in Blue Springs, its involvement and commitment will raise the visibility and viability of MIP to the world’s animal-health-related companies, along with other entities and organizations.

It will take time, but we anticipate the demand for locations within the MIP will result in new, high-quality jobs for Blue Springs residents and those in the surrounding areas.

This year will also see the installation of the new digital radio system for our Police Department. This system, paid for by the public safety tax that Blue Springs voters approved last year, will substantially improve our Police Department’s communication ability and will help make our city safer. The improvements to the public safety building will enhance downtown and provide an improved workplace for our police officers.

Hopefully, 2012 will see progress on the regional transit proposal, which could bring even more activity to our downtown in the coming years.

The redevelopment of Woods Chapel Road continues, and residents will see utilities relocated this spring in preparation for the widening and resurfacing from Duncan Road on the north all the way south to Walnut Street. Right-of-way acquisition is under way, and we should see work on the road begin this year, with scheduled completion scheduled for 2013. The new diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 70 will improve the flow of traffic, especially during rush hour, and the signalized intersection at Duncan Road will make that area safer and less congested.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincerest appreciation for the many cards, notes, copies of the newspaper and kind words regarding the story of the Christmas ornaments from my birth mother. To Martin Augustine of KMBC Channel 9 News and Lee Hill Kavanaugh of The Kansas City Star, thank you for telling the story in such a wonderful and compassionate manner. The response has been overwhelming and very much appreciated. For those who missed the stories, they can be viewed at http://bit.ly/QuibellOrnaments and http://bit.ly/AnnChristmas.
Happy new year, everyone! I look forward to another year of sharing with you all of the great things happening in Blue Springs!

Community and elected leaders in Blue Springs are consistently looking for opportunities to provide better services to our residents. Several years ago, as a downtown revitalization plan was developed for Blue Springs, we identified a number of key items that would advance development in the downtown corridor. A rail station that would act as a transit portal to the rest of the Kansas City region was an integral piece of the plan, as it would bring people into downtown Blue Springs and act as a catalyst for new development.

Recently, the Kansas City Regional Transit Alliance held a number of public forums to share information about the new Regional Rail initiative supported by County Executive Mike Sanders and many of the Mayors in the Kansas City region. These forums provided an opportunity for the public to view a variety of potential plans for regional transportation, including a rail system that would encompass much of the Kansas City region.

Kansas City has a long history with railroads and has a significant amount of unused or underutilized track all over the metropolitan area. Utilizing these existing rails allow a regional rail system to be constructed quickly and cost-efficiently.

While no final determination has been made on rail stop locations, Blue Springs is anticipating a stop in downtown and hopefully an additional stop near the new Missouri Innovation Park (MIP). This would encourage redevelopment downtown and facilitate the development of MIP.

This regional rail proposal is an exciting development that has the potential to transform public transportation not only for Blue Springs, but the entire Kansas City region, bringing with it enhanced employment and tourism opportunities. The rail infrastructure already exists, which reduces the cost and shortens the implementation timeframe. Many community leaders and elected officials throughout Jackson County are eager to support the proposal including our own Mayor Carson Ross, Kansas City Mayor Sly James, and County Executive Mike Sanders, just to name a few.

I am excited about the opportunities that a regional rail plan can bring to the residents of Eastern Jackson County. I encourage everyone to take the time to examine the proposals and support expanded regional transportation alternatives. As Mayor Ross likes to say, “Blue Springs is On the Move!”

Information about the Kansas City Regional Transit vision can be found at http://bit.ly/kcrtarr

Each year, as we take time to enjoy our national day of Thanksgiving, we stop to consider all the many blessings in our lives. As I reflect on the people in my life, and the community Wanda and I have made our home, the list of blessings is extensive and varied.

On Monday, the city of Blue Springs and the University of Missouri took the next step toward the realization of the Missouri Innovation Park. This is a development that each of us in Blue Springs can be thankful for as it will bring new, quality jobs to our community. I am also thankful for The Examiner’s excellent article on Tuesday. The accurate description of the MIP letter of agreement and the impact on our community was well written and detailed.

Many of our residents are thankful that the long-vacant Kmart building is gone and replaced with a larger Hy-Vee Grocery. The 140 new employees are thankful for the opportunity for employment. While there is still plenty of work to be done, a lot of progress has occurred at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Missouri 7.

I am thrilled with the new QuikTrip on North Missouri 7. Not only did it replace the vacant former gas station on that corner, I can now shop at PriceChopper and use my gasoline rewards on my way to work at the CPros building, next to the Paul Consiglio Center. I am thankful that CPros has this permanent home in which to serve our community’s computer and software needs.

A many of you know this is the first Thanksgiving since the death of my father. I am so thankful for the many years of love, wisdom and humor he shared with me and thankful my mother is here with us and continues to share in my life. Of course, I’m thankful for my wonderful daughters, Ashley and Crystal, and for my amazing wife, Wanda. I am thankful for my brother and sister who shared my childhood and for the five sisters and three brothers in my biological family whom I have had the privilege to meet and love over the last nine years.

The opportunity to meet my biological parents nine years ago, especially my biological mother, ranks very high on my thankful list. When I think of the sacrifices she made to ensure that I had the opportunities she was unable to provide, “thank you” seems so inadequate. This fall, she is undergoing treatment for uterine cancer. I promised her that if she lost her hair during her treatments I would lose mine so she wouldn’t have to go through baldness alone.

This past weekend, the chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out, so first thing Monday morning Mike Courtney of Courtney Bros Barber & Shaving Parlor in Blue Springs graciously shaved the hair from my head. I am thankful for Mike, his business and friendship. I am also thankful for my wool hat!

I hope you each have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

BLUE SPRINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

AND THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI

PRESS RELEASE

903 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015 — P: 816.228.0110 — F: 816.228.7592 — www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: November 22, 2011

CONTACT: Sara Freetly-Grubb, Communications Specialist

Phone: 816.820.0916

Email: sara@justbecandid.com

Kim Nakahodo, Communications Manager

Phone: 816.655.0497, Cell: 816.651.6449

Email: knakahodo@bluespringsgov.com

Missouri Innovation Park moves forward in Blue Springs

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – On November 21, 2011 representatives from the City of Blue Springs, the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation (BSEDC) and University of Missouri signed a Letter of Agreement to develop the first phase of the Missouri Innovation Park (MIP), which represents 63 acres and an 80,000 to 90,000 square foot building with MU as the anchor tenant. Once fully developed, the MIP is projected to be home to more than 40 companies employing 3,700 employees with an annual payroll of $190 million.

“The Missouri Innovation Park is a multi-party collaboration and partnership that represents a shared strategy to complement the economic opportunities of the region,” said Brien Starner, Blue Springs EDC President. “With this signed agreement, the first phase of EDC’s partnership with the City and MU will come to life — which is what we’ve all been working toward since 2008.”

With the vision to develop a science and technology park that competitively attracts a knowledge-based workforce to Blue Springs, the MIP will employ the best-in-class business and master planning. The goal of the MIP is to attract firms and employees linked to a scientific, research-based higher education institution with an entrepreneurial spirit.

"The City of Blue Springs and our stakeholders have remained committed to moving the MIP from an economic dream to reality that support's high quality regional growth,” said Mayor Carson Ross.   “Thanks to the signing of this Letter of Agreement, we hope to start construction on the new building by September 2012 and be ready to cut the ribbon by the first quarter of 2014.”

Located at the southeast quadrant of I-70 and Adams Dairy Parkway, Phase I of the MIP represents 63 acres fronting the Parkway and Adams Pointe Golf Course, with additional acres planned for future Phases of development. After all phases of development are complete in 15 to 25 years, the MIP will represent $340 million in capital investment.

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CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI

MEDIA ALERT

903 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015  —  P: 816.228.0110  —  F: 816.228.7592  — www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:              November 21, 2011

CONTACT:      Kim Nakahodo, Communications Manager

                        Phone: 816.655.0497, Cell: 816.651.6449

                        Email: knakahodo@bluespringsgov.com

Media opportunity – City of Blue Springs and MU announce

major milestone at tonight’s Council Meeting

WHO:              Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross

MU Chancellor Brady Deaton

                        MU Provost Brian Foster

                        MU Vice Provost for Economic Development Steve Wyatt

                        Al Black, Executive Director, MIZZOU Center

                        Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation President Brien Starner

                        Blue Springs City Councilmembers

WHEN:           Today, Monday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:         Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building, Multipurpose Room, 1100 SW Smith Street, Blue Springs, Missouri

WHY:              Chancellor Brady Deaton will be attending the Blue Springs City Council meeting to announce a major milestone in the City’s partnership with MU and the Kansas City region. 

CONTACT:    Kim Nakahodo, Communications Manager, (816) 651-6449

###

Kim Nakahodo

Communications Manager

City of Blue Springs, Mo.

903 W. Main Street

Blue Springs, MO 64015

Phone:   (816) 655-0497

             (816) 651-6449

Fax:       (816) 228-7592

Email:    knakahodo@bluespringsgov.com

www.bluespringsgov.com

Twitter:  bluespringsgov

www.facebook.com/bluespringsgov

The first six months of my current term in office are now behind me. It’s been an interesting change from my previous term in office just a few years ago.

The Blue Springs City Council is working well together, without the frequent angst that we sometimes experienced in the past. The hard questions are still being asked and we don’t always all agree, but good outcomes are occurring with regularity. Scripted political agendas have disappeared, and a true spirit of cooperation has brought a breath of fresh air to the political climate of our city.

A frequent question lately regards progress on the Woods Chapel Road expansion. This important project is ongoing and actually moving along at a pretty good clip behind the scenes.

Planning and progress at the beginning of a large road project aren’t visible in the first few years. The project is first designed and rights of way purchased from the hundreds of property owners on each side of the road. Construction contracts go out for bid. Significant amounts of work occur before the first shovelful of dirt is turned, but I assure you we are moving forward and are on schedule.

The final steps in acquiring the last few properties needed to construct the road have been set in motion, and an agreement with Kansas City Power & Light is approved to begin moving the utilities in preparation for the new roadway. This will be the first noticeable change that will occur.

A funding agreement is now approved with the Missouri Department of Transportation for the construction of Woods Chapel from Castle Drive to Walnut. This piece of the project is an expansion of the voter-approved improvements from Duncan Road down to the railroad tracks.

This week RED Development provided an update on the Adams Dairy Landing project. This TIF-funded project is paying great dividends for our community. New shopping is available to our residents to buy products at a lower tax rate than they were paying in other retail venues while also saving on the gas they spent to get there. The new tax revenue generated by the project is helping our city maintain services in difficult economic times. Because of a carefully crafted TIF policy and bond issues coinciding with store openings, the project cash flow is positive and paying its own way as expected. It is a benefit for our residents, the city and the people employed at the new stores.

RED Development announced several new stores that will be opening over the next year: Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Max, Home Goods, Charming Charlie, Rue 21, Yogurtini, Ulta Beauty, Arby’s and Chick-Fil-A.

PRESS RELEASE
9/27/2011
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Blue Springs EDC
816-228-0208

 
 
Missouri Innovation Park Receives Short-Term Planning Grant
 
BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI - Missouri Innovation Park, Inc. (MIP Inc.) based in Blue Springs, Missouri announces the award of an Economic Development Administration (EDA) Planning Grant of $95,000 that will be matched.  Its purpose is to assist in the strategic assessment, planning and growth of the Missouri Innovation Park (MIP).  MIP Inc has worked the past three years to advance the engagement of regional assets and stakeholders to focus on key industry cluster that Blue Springs and MIP may serve, including the KC Animal Health Corridor.

MIP Inc. has worked closely with Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the City of Blue Springs, and the University of Missouri to identify, purchase and master plan the Missouri Innovation Park, located in Blue Springs, Missouri, on the south side of at I-70 and Adams Dairy Parkway. 

Bill Wrisinger, Chairman, MIP, Inc. stated, "I am thrilled to see financial support from the EDA awarded and matched to (in-kind) investment provided by the University of Missouri, Mid-America Regional Council, and a cash match from our EDC."  This new grant investment will build upon the economic strategy of Innovation for all Blue Springs are also strengthen the Adams Dairy Parkway Corridor represented by over one million square feet of retail, restaurant and commercial real estate at I-70 from Adams Dairy Parkway.  The area is already home to Mizzou Center and the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel and adjoining Adams Pointe Conference Center, and nearby Adams Pointe Golf Course.

Brien Starner, President of the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation stated, "The EDA grant will help Blue Springs, the region, and our development team further define needed key resources for the Park, including a business incubator and or accelerator, and how they integrate into the planning asset mix of the Missouri Innovation Park's growth strategy with Eastern Jackson County long-term.  Our goal is to integrate the Park's growth strategy with science, technology and entrepreneurial based growth initiatives that build off our region's industry cluster and research strengths which in  turn create economic leverage and advantage for our workforce, companies and institutions."

Mayor Carson Ross stated, "Despite set-backs created by our economy over the past three years, Blue Springs and numerous stakeholders working with us remain committed to moving MIP from an economic dream to reality that support's high quality regional growth.  Our citizens, children and workforce need 21st century innovation-based jobs now that can provide high quality wages and benefits.  Through the work we will complete with this EDA grant we can move the Missouri Innovation Park closer to our vision."

Starner added, "Game changing investments in our region are needed now more than ever, and the Missouri Innovation Park is such an investment.  The EDA grant is one more value-added step in our vision to create long-term economic value based around innovation, skilled manufacturing, and an education workforce centered economy."
 
 

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