The headline on the front page of Saturday’s Examiner, “Innovation Park hits roadblock,” was discouraging to me considering the hard work and dedication so many people have invested in making this project a reality. As I went on to read the article, my hopeful expectations for the future of the Innovation Park were restored.

Rarely do complex projects advance exactly as originally envisioned. Adams Dairy Parkway itself is an example of the need and benefit of adaptability in accomplishing objectives for the greater good of the community.

Today, we know that the University of Missouri component of the park will initially locate in the Heartland Financial building, adjacent to Adams Pointe Golf Course, while waiting for economic conditions to improve before beginning construction of the Mizzou Center. This is an excellent example of adapting and recognizing that market conditions require flexibility to accomplish this very worthy goal for our community.

The vision of Missouri Innovation Park is to build a regional home for a knowledge-based workforce dedicated to innovation and the commercialization of the ideas that come from that work. The park will link scientific research, higher education and entrepreneurial development and as a result encourage high-tech commercial development along the Adams Dairy Parkway corridor.

The current plan is to locate the first building in the park immediately south of the Adams Dairy Landing shopping center. Future expansion will initially be to the south.

A recent economic impact study found that over the next 15 to 25 years the Missouri Innovation Park would bring close to 3,765 new jobs within the park itself and indirectly an additional 2,140 jobs in the surrounding community. The average pay for these jobs would be $51,000 per year and in many situations, higher incomes are likely.

Proposed state legislation to encourage and accelerate the development of the park – House Bill 1635 and Senate Bill 922 titled “Missouri Jobs For the Future” – is the vehicle for accomplishing this objective. I would encourage us all to stand together in support of these bills as we work to continue the progress toward the Missouri Innovation Park’s development.

There is a lot of talk around town regarding the Missouri Innovation Park, a development that is sure to change the face of the future of Blue Springs. A “Show Me” attitude is part of the culture in Missouri, and some need to see dirt moving and buildings under construction to truly believe that the Innovation Park, bringing with it the desired growth of quality jobs, is a reality.

Community leaders in Blue Springs laid a path many years ago, putting in place the key components to support the development of the Innovation Park by establishing the vision for Adams Dairy Parkway. As that vision has evolved, we have seen the addition of retail and restaurants, which add another component necessary to the realization of the original vision for Adams Dairy Parkway.

Two and a half years ago, as the first details regarding the park began to emerge, Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation President Brien Starner and I had long conversations about the potential the park brought to our community. It was clear that the stars were aligning for success. A project of this type normally takes, on average, approximately five years to develop the support of all the various organizations necessary for success.

In this instance, the Missouri Innovation Park has the support of the City of Blue Springs, the University of Missouri, the Blue Springs School District, the Central Jackson Country Fire Protection District, the Blue Springs Economic Development Corp., the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Kansas City Area Development Council, Jackson County, the Mid-Continent Public Library system, and many other entities in the region and state in just two short years.

This support by so many public and private organizations is vital to the success of the project and is a direct result of the passion and commitment of current and past mayors and councils, Brien Starner, and the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation members.
Despite the current national economy, the project has continued to move forward. New legislation, referred to as “Jobs for the Future,” has been filed and would enable projects like the Missouri in Innovation Park not only for Blue Springs, but also for progressive communities all over Missouri. This legislation would allow cities more control over their own economic destiny, with the intent of attracting high-quality public and private jobs.

Our city now stands at a precipice of key decisions and actions. As citizens, we need to join with our elected leaders and the leaders of these supporting organizations to see the fulfillment of this vision for our city. In the coming weeks there will be announcements that will show visible progress and the beginning of construction of the Mizzou Innovation Center which will anchor the project and provide the intellectual property that will spur the creation of high-tech jobs in the park. The possibilities are endless, and I am excited to see this vision come to fruition.

This weekend the Heritage Philharmonic will be performing in Independence at Tri-City Ministries. The concert will be on Saturday, October 24^th starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 at the door for adults and $5 for students. This concert will feature a variety of music with something for everyone. This community orchestra features musicians from all over the area. Please come out and support the orchestra as we begin our 65^th year of bringing excellent music to Eastern Jackson County!

Attention: all rocketry enthusiast--Free Event held at Drumm Farm, Independence, MO at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 27. Crystal Clovers 4-H Club is hosting this event. The 4-H club will be launching A motor rockets. Join the flight team as they measure altitude with each rocket or be a part of the chase team tracking the rockets as they land.

Ann

Submitted by Ann Alter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Stevens, 816.836.8189

THCF Announces

2009 Corporate Citizen of the Year

DSI to Receive Award at 14^th Annual Toast to Our Towns

HEARTLAND NEWS (April 27, 2009) - In celebrating charitable giving and the philanthropists who make change in our communities possible, THCF is pleased to announce Data Systems International Inc. (DSI) as the 2009 Corporate Citizen of the Year.

Michael J. McGraw, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, founded DSI in 1979. For nearly three decades, DSI has provided services to clients worldwide with industry leading technology solutions. Although DSI operates on an international level, McGraw has chosen to lead his company by

way of giving back locally to the heartland community. This year, DSI celebrates 30 years of delivering innovative data technology solutions, and THCF graciously celebrates their philanthropic actions in the heartland region.

On an annual basis, DSI and its employees contribute their time and treasure to regional and national charities. “Serving the community and working towards improving the quality of life for all people is one of our intrinsic values,” McGraw claims. He is an advocate to other businesses and their employees, encouraging them to give their resources to charitable organizations within their communities. “Charitable giving has been a top priority of DSI since the beginning and we plan to continue doing so.”

The Community Foundation’s Corporate Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to DSI at the Annual Gala event on September 26, 2009 at six o’clock in the evening in the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriot.

Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving area communities by promoting private giving for the public good. After 27 years of service, THCF continues to serve the region with assets reaching $23 million and annual grants surpassing $6.7 million. THCF provides a wide range of services to more than 1,000 donors who plan to leave lasting and meaningful legacies in the communities they care about. To learn more about the Community Foundation and charitable giving, visit us online at www.thcf.org or call the office at 816.836.8189.

Table sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available by calling the Community Foundation or visiting us on the website.

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News from the City of Blue Springs

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI
MEDIA ADVISORY

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: June 15, 2009

CONTACT: Merideth Parrish, Public Information Officer

Phone: 816.655.0497, Cell: 816.935.4176

Email: mparrish@bluespringsgov.com

City Cancels Annual Fireworks Display

Location and Budget Issues - Factors for Event Cancellation

Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs recently announced that it will not hold its annual fireworks display for the 2009 Independence Holiday. Each year, the City hosts the free event for citizens of Blue Springs and surrounding communities at the Blue Springs High School Peve Football Stadium, on Independence Day (July 4).

Roscoe Righter, Director of Parks and Recreation said the decision to cancel this year’s fireworks display is two fold, citing “location and budget issues as two primary reasons for the cancellation.” Earlier this year, the Blue Springs School District successfully passed a bond issue for the expansion and structural improvements to several of its schools, including Blue Springs High School.

“The current fireworks display location at Blue Springs High School is and will be under construction throughout the summer, thus eliminating the parking, stadium and bleachers normally used for the July 4^th exhibit,” said Righter.

“As this is a popular event for not only our immediate community, but throughout the entire metropolitan region, it was necessary to find a site suitable for accommodating such large numbers of people and to properly handle any parking, traffic and citizen safety issues. Unfortunately, no acceptable or safe alternative site was located for this year’s display.”

Recent financial trends were also part of the City’s decision to cancel the annual fireworks display. “Cancellation of the 2009 fireworks display also comes at a time when city staff and officials are carefully monitoring budget resources and looking for ways to trim line items in many areas” said City Administrator Eric Johnson.

“Although funds were allocated for this event and were preserved in the annual budget, foregoing the event this year will provide some immediate budget relief” said Johnson.

Administrator Johnson also stated that the City is appreciative of the support and cooperation shown by the Blue Springs School District in their history of working with the City to host its annual fireworks event. “We are certainly grateful for the relationship we’ve shared with the School District, and look forward to returning to Peve Stadium in 2010.”

Mayor Carson Ross said he is supportive of the City’s decision to cancel this year’s event, and encourages citizens to enjoy the Independence Day holiday through a variety of alternative resources offered both within and outside the City.

“As we have done every year, we will continue to promote the City’s annual Be a Good Neighbor Fireworks Education Campaign, which encourages citizens to purchase and discharge their own fireworks safely and responsibly within Blue Springs city limits” said Mayor Ross.

“We are one of few cities within the region that permits the discharge of fireworks within the City. While we are unable to produce a community-wide fireworks display for our citizens this year, we still want them to enjoy the celebration of the holiday here in Blue Springs.”

The following are some of the communities within the Kansas City Metropolitan area that are hosting fireworks displays, parades and other events that the public can attend this fourth of July:

1. Lee’s Summit - Legacy Blast

• Where: Legacy Park. Enter through the south entrance of Legacy Park will open at 6:00pm & close at 9pm.
• When: Saturday, July 4.
• Guide Tip:  A free fireworks event choreographed to music. Food vendors, entertainers & inflatables will be on site before the fireworks For more info call LSPR at (816) 969-1500 

2.  Oak Grove - Celebrate Freedom and the 4th of July Fireworks

· Where: Webb Park

· When: Saturday, July 4^th, Activities start at 6:00 pm, Fireworks sill start at 10:00 pm

• Guide Tip: An event with several children's games, vendor booths, inflatable games, music, entertainment and fireworks out at Webb Park. Event co-sponsored by New Life Assembly of God and the Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce.

3.  KC Riverfest

• Where: Berkley Park on the River between the Broadway and Paseo bridges.
• When: Ongoing events July 3rd and 4th. Fireworks at 10pm, Friday.
• Ticket Info: $5. Kids 12 and under are free.

4.  Parkville 4th of July Fireworks and Festival

· Where: English Landing Park, Parkville, Mo. Fireworks shot over Missouri River.

· Time: Approximately 9:30 pm

· Guide Tip: Shuttles are offered from 6pm-midnight to and from Park Hill South High School and Park University.

5.  Corporate Woods Star Spangled Spectacular

• Where: Corporate Woods, I-435 and College Blvd @ 109th/Mastin.
• Time: 9:30 pm

6.  Independence Fireworks Display at the Mormon Visitor Center

· Where: Mormon Visitor Center, 937 W. Walnut, Independence, Mo.

· Time: 9:30 pm

7.  Worlds of Fun

Worlds of Fun has one of the longest standing 4th of July celebrations in the metro. Watch fireworks
     from within the park or by parking close by. Event starts at 10pm.

8.  Booms and Blooms Fest at Powell Gardens

· Note: Booms and Blooms will be held July 3rd, 2009.

· Where: Powell Gardens, 1609 NW US HWY 50, Kingsville, MO, 64061

· When: July 3^rd; Activities throughout the day, starting at 9am. Fireworks begin at dusk.  

9.  Smithville Marina Fireworks Display

Smithville Marina holds its annual festivities with a huge display shot off the Smithville dam. View at
     the marina, by boat, or at the Smith's Fork Park.

· Where: Smithville Lake, Smithville, MO. Smith Fork Park is located at 1601 DD Highway.

· When: Dusk, July 4th.

Residents can look for additional information regarding the Blue Springs Be a Good Neighbor Fireworks Education Campaign, to arrive in homes by June 29, 2009. Additional information can also be found at www.bluespringsgov.com/fireworks.

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