Economic Development Council

BLUE SPRINGS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING February 24, 2021 – 8:00 A.M. Public Telephone Conference (816) 743-4875 – Conference ID: 854 655 700# PLEASE NOTE: Pursuant to Jackson County Executive Order dated March 12, 2020 and subsequent amendments requiring residents to stay at home and limiting public gatherings, this meeting will be conducted by taking safe social distancing measures as required by the Order. For this meeting, the public may attend via telephone conference (816-743-4875, Conference ID: 854 655 700#) as provided in Section 610.020(4) RSMo. Members of the Economic Development Council will be participating via telephone conference as provided in Section 610.020(1) RSMo. 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Approval of November 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes 3. Visitor Introductions 4. Review 2020 EDC Annual Report 5. Review Brandon Keller’s Annual Goals 6. Project and Development Update 7. Adjourn NEXT MEETING: April 21, 2021 – 8:00 A.M. If special accommodations are required for citizen participation at this meeting please call (816)228-0111 Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at City Hall, 903 W Main Street, Blue Springs, MO and on the City’s website. A quorum of the City Council may be in attendance, however no City Council votes will be taken. Brandon Keller Economic Development Manager Economic Development Council Annual Report 2020 Review February 1, 2021 Blue Springs Economic Development Council Brandon Keller – Economic Development Manager Becky Nace, 2020-2021 EDC Chairperson On The Move and On The Right Track Mayor and Members of the City Council: Economic Development Council: I’m pleased to present the 2020 Annual report for the Blue Springs Economic Development Council (EDC). In conjunction with City Staff, the EDC provides insight regarding the local economy, business recruitment, business retention, entrepreneurship, community marketing and education regarding doing business in Blue Springs. 2020 was no doubt a year of challenges but also of growth. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health and safety policies, businesses in Blue Springs have struggled to maintain profit margins and some had no choice but to close their doors forever. Thanks to the courageous effort of City and Chamber Staff, the State of Missouri and other Governmental agencies, various Grant programs and guidance efforts were pushed out to local businesses to assist during these hard times. Even with the negative effects COVID-19 has had on our community, real estate investors and businesses have shown confidence that Blue Springs is a highly valuable community. We saw a record number of building permits in 2020 with a large growth in the residential category, both single and multi-family. Blue Springs continues to add a mix of all housing types and commercial construction, which continues toward the City’s goal of diversifying the local economy. On top of that, three of our largest commercial buildings that were vacated over the last couple of years all have new owners and are being filled. While the EDC and City Staff play a role in such great occurrences, it is the residents and corporate citizens who continue to make Blue Springs an attractive location for business development. As we desire to be known as a “business friendly” community, it is the community pride and quality of life that truly allows local businesses to flourish. Investment & Statistics Summary Construction and Economic Statistics Construction Activity 2018 2019 2020 Total Building Permits 1,263 1,303 1,425 Total Construction Value $113,983,916 $108,392,692 $81,596,695 Total Square Feet 2,188,174 1,633,433 1,850,378 Total Population 54,945 (est.) 55,104 (est.) 59,945 (est.) Unemployment Rate 3.1% 2.7% 3.3% Special Projects Business Survey The City of Blue Springs agreed to a contract with ETC Institute in December 2019. Previously, they were responsible for conducting a citizen surveys on behalf of the City for the respondents to remain anonymous. In December 2020, the ETC Institute began distributing surveys to our local businesses for the first time. The survey is based off “model” surveys previously used by ETC. The survey will not be distributed to all Blue Springs businesses but will be a statistically valid sample. Our goal is to obtain useful information about our business health/climate and obtain valuable information to help us evaluate city policies and processes to create the best possible environment for our businesses to thrive. Once finalized, ETC will make a presentation to the Council in the Spring of 2021. Former Downtown Lumberyard and Municipal Annex Redevelopment In 2019, the City released a Request for Proposal to develop the old Lumberyard property the City now owns on West side of Downtown Blue Springs. In February of 2020, the City received two respondents. An RFP Review Team was formed to review the RFP’s and listen to the Developers presentation. The first round of presentations were held in December 2020, with the second and final presentation planned for January 2020. The review team will then make a recommendation to decide if the City should grant development rights to one of the respondents.  Business Announcements/Ribbon Cuttings! Train Depot Event Venue Member Name The Emerald Event Space Novel Place Blue Springs, LLC Fully Promoted of Blue Springs Discount Toner & Ink Kansas City Curling Club Showtime Steamers LLC Kreeayt LLC Spiritual Life Coaching, LLC Udo StorTropolis Self Storage Southside Nutrition Ignite Medical Resort BV Contracting Solutions Melissa King Farmers Insurance Agency Rela-Table Yard deSIGNS Blue Springs Smoothie King Simply Sold, LLC Pro Graphics & Signs Flowing Strength All In Physical Therapy Dental Depot Kansas City Cannabis Co., LLC Advanced Sports and Family Chiropractic Bliss Chocolatier A Look Toward the Future Economic outlooks for 2021 have been promising but still fragile due to the COVID pandemic. City staff along with the EDC plan to use the list below as guidance for the year ahead: • Use 2021 as an evaluation year for the EDC. Develop a more comprehensive annual report. • Develop an up to date marketing brochure to include with Site Selection RFPs. • Be selective on RFPs that are sent through KCADC and Missouri Partnership. • Spend 50 percent of time on business attraction for both Retail and Commercial/Industrial businesses. • Use 2021 as an evaluation year for Business Retention. Build a plan for the staff’s role in Business Retention for 2021-2022. • Update LOIS property searches for any building over 10,000 SF. And any plot of land available in Blue Springs. • Utilize various grant programs to assist on Economic Development efforts. Brandon Keller 2021 Annual Goals Blue Springs Department of Economic Development 1. Continue building relationships in the community and gaining knowledge and history of Blue Springs. 2. Join a local community organization. 3. Attend at least two MEDC State Conferences. 4. Attend one OUEDI Training Conference to further my certification. 5. Apply for and begin the Blue Springs leadership course. 6. Use 2021 as an evaluation year for the EDC. Develop a more comprehensive annual report. 7. Develop an up to date marketing brochure to include with Site Selection RFPs. 8. Be selective on RFPs that are sent through KCADC and Missouri Partnership. 9. Spend 50 percent of time on business attraction for both Retail and Commercial/Industrial businesses. 10. If the opportunity presence itself, make contact and attend specific industry conferences based on the priority of industry the City is trying to attract. Grocer, Manufacturing, Retail big box. (MoPar., KCADC, Evergy.) 11. Lean on the Chamber to learn about Community Businesses. Use 2021 as an evaluation year for Business Retention. Build a plan on the Eco. Devos. Role in Business Retention for 2021-2022. Do we bring back Exceligent? How many business calls per week? 12. 13. Have a second meeting with the Mayor and each Councilmember to better understand their views and wants for the City. This allows me to build a proactive business attraction outreach plan. 14. Update LOIS property searches for any building over 10,000 SF. And any plot of land available in Blue Springs. 15. Prepare 2021 Department Budget. 16. Utilize various grant programs to assist the department. (Evergy?)