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

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

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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

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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Click here to watch Positively Blue Springs! http://got.im/9b5U

Another election day has come and gone, and the voters of Blue Springs have spoken. I am honored to once again represent District 1 residents as their voice on the city council. I will continue to provide information and updates on issues of concern to the residents of Blue Springs through my newsletters on www.AboutBlueSprings.com and articles in our local newspapers. As we work together to make our city the best it can possibly be, interaction and discussion with the citizens is crucial. Please share your thoughts with me; 816-223-2865 or jeffq@cprosinc.com.

I am eager to work with the Mayor and other members of the Council. Significant effort will be required to realize the vision of Missouri Innovation Park, the revitalization of our downtown area and the continued redevelopment on MO-7Hwy and US-40 Hwy. Progress, at times, seems painfully slow. However, I believe that we are moving deliberately and conscientiously forward in the direction of our goals for Blue Springs.

The plan for the expansion and upgrade to the Woods Chapel corridor now includes a 3 million dollar grant that will extend the road improvements from Duncan Road just North of I-70 south to Walnut Street, just past Old Mill Park. The timeline for full completion of this critical project extends into 2013, and includes significant enhancements to the corridor that will encourage quality development of this gateway into our city. We are all anxious to see this project advance as quickly as possible.

In future articles, I will address these and many other issues that are facing the city, along with items of interest as they arise. Thank you for the wonderful support over the years and for the opportunity to again be of service to the citizens of Blue Springs!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION

Contact:

Cynthia Zluticky

County Program Director

Telephone: 816.252.5051

Cell: 816.806-8777

Fax: 816.252.5575

E-mail: zlutickyc@missouri.edu

extension.missouri.edu

Entrepreneurship the Right Way – Fast Trac®New Venture™ to be held in Blue Springs

(BLUE SPRINGS, MO – MARCH 28, 2011) - Have you ever dreamed of starting your own business? Is your business off the ground but you just don’t feel like you have a sound plan yet? The Fast Trac® New Venture™ program is for YOU and it’s coming to University of Missouri Extension in Blue Springs in April!

This “gold-standard” business plan development program is fast-paced, interactive and energizing according to Susan Henson, Business Development Specialist with University of Missouri Extension. Participants will look at all aspects of their business idea, explore the feasibility of their new venture and how to develop a viable business plan. The accelerated program offered through the Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Center will start Tuesday, April 26 and run for five consecutive Tuesdays through May 24, 2011. Classes will be held at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Blue Springs, 1106 West Main Street. For more information e-mail: hensons@missouri.edu

For more information contact

SUSAN HENSON, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

E-mail: hensons@missouri.edu Call: 816.407.3490

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University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or programs.