Wyandotte Economic Development Council News
January 2012: WYEDC holds Annual Event at PEAK at Home
WYEDC held its 2011 Annual Meeting at PEAK at Home, a premier kitchen design studio in the West Bottoms in January. The theme of the event, “The Next Annual Meeting” featured four unique food-themed kitchens and guests viewed a video presentation with an overview of 2011 key successes. Over 160 area business and community leaders were in attendance and fêted with the new WYEDC President, Greg Kindle. Board Chair, Margaret Bowker provided a highlight of key accomplishments from the year.
Watch the WYEDC 2012 Annual Meeting Video
Archived News:
November 2011: WYEDC Hires New President
WYEDC has selected Greg Kindle as its new president. Kindle comes to WYEDC from Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L). Prior to his tenure with KCP&L, Kindle was the President of the Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Corporation. "Wyandotte County has experienced unprecedented growth during some very tumultuous years,” said Margaret Golden Bowker, WYEDC Chair. “We appreciate the strong economic development and utility background that Greg Kindle brings to the position and we look to the future with excitement as Greg, the WYEDC organization and the communities of Wyandotte County continue to build on this momentum." Click here for the full story.
October 2011: WYEDC holds Quarterly Event at The Vox Theatre
WYEDC took the stage at The Vox Theatre in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday, October 12 for its quarterly event. Guests enjoyed the old theatre ambiance while networking with more than 125 area business and community leaders. Mayor Joe Reardon anchored a presentation that included county-wide project updates from fellow mayors, Mayor John McTaggart of Edwardsville and Mayor Clausie Smith of Bonner Springs. The presentation also featured organizational updates from WYEDC Board Chair, Margaret Bowker and Business Retention Director, Jackie Carlson. Click here for an update of WYEDC quarterly activity.
July 2011: WYEDC hosts 3rd Quarter Meeting at Sporting Kansas City’s LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
WYEDC held its 3rd quarter event of 2011 at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Tuesday, July 19th. The event took place on the Executive Suite level and was attended by over 150 key business and community leaders. Opening with a video illustrating the evolution of LIVESTRONG Sporting Park through construction and remarks by Sporting CFO Greg Cotton, attendees also received a project success update from WYEDC President, Brent Miles. Click here for a quarterly update of WYEDC activity.
June 2011: WYEDC hires Business Retention Director, Jackie Carlson
WYEDC is proud to announce that Jackie Carlson will join the organization as the new Business Retention Director in July. Jackie’s responsibilities for the organization will include partnering members of the existing business community with economic development/governmental agencies and conducting personal visits with existing business owners, managers, and CEO’s in order to retain and expand the business community in Wyandotte County. Welcome Jackie!
April 2011: WYEDC holds 2nd Quarter Meeting at MVP, Dean Realty Co. co-hosts
WYEDC held its 2011 2nd quarter event at the law offices of McAnany, Van Cleave, and Phillips (MVP) inside their new location in the Cambridge Business Park. The event was hosted by MVP, and the building owner, Dean Realty Co., to showcase the firm's new space and to highlight the success of Dean Realty Co. at the premier business park. The networking event was attended by more than 100 business and community leaders and featured highlights of the Cambridge Business Park and legal services offered by MVP.
March 2011: Google announces selection of Kansas City, Kansas, as the location for its ultra high-speed fiber project.
Google unveiled their plan a year ago to build and study the use of ultra-high speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the country. As part of this process, the company asked interested communities to submit an application. Like more than 1,100 cities across the nation, the Unified Government (UG) submitted an application for this unique and innovative partnership. Click here for the full story.
February 2011: WYEDC’s annual meeting held at the YWCA in Downtown KCK
WYEDC hosted their annual meeting, Wednesday, February 9th at the YWCA of KCK as a celebration of the successes of 2010. With more than 150 business and community leaders in attendance, the night featured a presentation showcasing the accomplishments of Wyandotte County and WYEDC and a video highlighting the monumental construction boom experienced in 2010. Click here to view WYEDC’s 2010 annual report.
October 2010: WYEDC hosts 3rd Quarter Meeting at Backfire Barbeque
WYEDC hosted its 3rd Quarter 2010 gathering on Wednesday, October 13th at the Backfire BBQ located at the Legends. Backfire BBQ is a one of a kind barbeque experience featuring custom choppers, classic cars and great food. The program featured an update of the continued evolution of the Legends by General Manager Chuck Oglesby, an overview of premier retail outlets, and the overall state of the retail market. The event also featured an update from WYEDC on projects and the economic impacts of the organization, as well as announcing seven new investors this quarter alone! Click here for a quarterly update of WYEDC activity.
August 2010: Zeolyst International Expanding its Global Operation from Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County’s Zeolyst International will add 43,000 square feet to its existing 1700 Kansas Avenue location in 2012-2013. The expansion will give the global producer of specialty zeolites, a synthetically produced mineral, the ability to add 33 new jobs to its Kansas City, Kansas facility and bring $83 million in capital investment, including roughly $20 million in local real estate improvements, to Wyandotte County. Click here for the full story.
July 2010: WYEDC’s 2nd Quarter Meeting held at the Children’s Campus of Kansas City
WYEDC hosted its 2nd Quarter 2010 gathering on Wednesday, July 7th at the Children's Campus of Kansas City located in downtown Kansas City, Kansas. The Children's Campus of Kansas City is home to several area agencies that focus on the development of underserved children with a variety of resources to increase the likelihood of their future success. The breakfast program featured an update on projects and economic impacts of the organization, as well as the announcement that WYEDC has reached a momentous goal of becoming more privately funded than publicly funded. Click here for a quarterly update of WYEDC activity.
June 2010: McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips’ rich tradition will remain in Wyandotte County
McAnany, Van Cleave and Phillips (MVP), one of the oldest law firms in the Midwest, will continue its commitment to Wyandotte County. In early 2011, MVP will mark its 110th anniversary by relocating to the Cambridge Business Park in Kansas City, Kansas. MVP will initially lease 26,500 square feet in 10 Cambridge Place, allowing the firm to strengthen its identity as well as prepare for future growth. Click here for the full story.
April 2010: WYEDC hosted their 1st Quarter 2010 gathering at Corbin Bronze
WYEDC hosted their 1st Quarter 2010 gathering on Wednesday, April 21st at Corbin Bronze, located at 1166 Southwest Blvd. Corbin Bronze is the home of renowned sculptor, furniture designer and painter Tom Corbin, who in 2009, relocated to Wyandotte County from the Rivermarket area. The event was centered around networking and illustrated adaptive reuse in urban areas of Wyandotte County. Please click here for a quarterly update of WYEDC activity. Click here for a quarterly update of WYEDC activity.
March 2010: Earp Distribution to remain in Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County’s family-owned and operated Earp Distribution will move into a new, larger facility in Edwardsville in January 2011. Earp Distribution, the sole wholesale provider of foods and goods to approximately 450 McDonald’s and Chipotle Mexican Grills in the Midwest, will break ground on their new location during the first quarter of 2010. The move to build a larger facility will allow Earp to increase efficiencies and accommodate a growing employee base. Click here for the full story.
March 2010: Forecasting the Next Decade of Wyandotte County
Wyandotte County has emerged as a hotbed of development activity in recent years. As the momentum continues, join WYEDC Friday, March 5 for the Kansas City Business Journal’s Wyandotte County panel discussion to hear about the careful planning that put our county on the development map – and where those efforts might lead in the years ahead. Click here to view more information about the event.
January 2010: WYEDC hosts annual meeting at Legend’s Pin-Up Bowl
WYEDC hosted their annual meeting on Wednesday, January 13 at Pin-Up Bowl at the Legends at Village West. With roughly 150 business and community leaders in attendance, the night featured an overview of the economic impact of projects completed in 2009, the election of WYEDC board members and business networking on the bowling lanes. Click here to view the annual meeting presentation.
December 2009: Sealy Recommits to Wyandotte County; secures crucial manufacturing jobs for the county for a decade
The largest bedding manufacturer in North America and longtime Wyandotte County manufacturer, Sealy Mattress Company has announced plans to continue producing their world-famous mattresses in Kansas. Sealy will move its local operations to 435 Riverpark in July, 2010, securing in excess of 100 manufacturing jobs for the county. Click here for the full story.
November 2009: Renowned Artist Tom Corbin finds home, new studio in Wyandotte County
After 23 years in the River Market, Tom Corbin has moved his studio, showroom and offices to the firehouse located in Rosedale, Kansas. Built in 1912, this historic building has an alluring past as former firehouse, city hall and most recently a private residence. While the jail cell, bank safe and brass fire pole remain, the building has been transformed into pristine gallery space, modern offices and of course, artist’s studio. Click here for the full story.
November 2009 Liberty Fruit Company increases it produce capacity in Wyandotte County
Family-owned and operated Liberty Fruit Company, Inc. has announced plans to expand its operations at its current Wyandotte County location, 1247 Argentine Boulevard. The expansion is expected to be complete in March, 2010 and will allow the premier produce distributor to increase its warehouse capacity by 50% and add to their tempered produce storage capability as well as to their workforce. Click here for the full story.
November 2009: Advanced Building Composites moves into Wyandotte County
Advanced Building Composites, LCC (ABC) has named Kansas City, Kansas as its new home. The science and technology start-up company already owns two patents for their designs of economical, light-weight, high-strength composite building materials, and will begin operating in their new Fairfax location by the end of 2009. Click here for the full story.
November 2009 WYEDC recognized by Public Relations Society of America
October 2009: Wyandotte Economic Development Council Recognized for Rebranding Campaign Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC) was recognized Friday, October 16, by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) with a Silver award for its recent rebranding initiative. The chapter’s annual award ceremony honored the outstanding work of local public relations efforts. Click here for the full story.
October 2009: WYEDC Hosts 3rd Quarter Meeting
WYEDC hosted their 3rd Quarter Meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at the Kansan Building at 901 N 8th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. The Kansan Building is the new home of BHC Rhodes Engineering, who also sponsored the event. The theme of the meeting was Innovation and the program featured a presentation by Bob Marcusse, president of the Kansas City Area Development Council, as well as a quarterly update from WYEDC President, Brent Miles. Click here to view the WYEDC 3rd Quarter Meeting presentation.
August 2009: Kansas City Steak Company Expanding; Increasing Product Line from Wyandotte County
Locally owned and nationally known Kansas City Steak Company has announced plans to expand its facility and increase its operations at their existing Wyandotte County location. The significant growth will help make room for their newly expanded product line, which is anticipated to help the company draw an estimated $110 million in sales in the next year.
July 2009: WYEDC Hosts 2nd Quarter Meeting
WYEDC hosted their 2009 2nd Quarter Meeting on Wednesday, July 15 at the Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center on the campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center. Attendees of the highest attended quarterly to-date heard updates and projected plans for the Medical Center and The University of Kansas Hospital from representatives Barbara Atkinson, MD (University of Kansas Medical Center) and Jon Jackson (The University of Kansas Hospital), respectfully. The event also featured a quarterly update from WYEDC President Brent Miles. Click here to view the WYEDC 2nd Quarter Meeting presentation.
May 2009: Sara Lee Announces New Sliced Meat Manufacturing Facility
Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE) announced that it will open a new, state-of-the-art sliced meat manufacturing facility in Kansas City, at 4612 Speaker Road, which will become fully operational by 2011. The plant is expected to employ more than 250 people. Please click here for the full story.
May 2009: SAI, GMJ moving into Wyandotte County
Sports Associated Inc. (SAI), a subsidiary of parent company GMJ Co, Inc, is on the move and headed to Wyandotte County. The carrier company that is known throughout for its expertise in transportation, warehousing and trade shows for a wide variety of power sport vehicles, electronic equipment suppliers and other companies with materials or machinery that requires specialty transportation is anticipating a move into their new home at 4600 Kansas Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas by the end of the month. Please click here for the full story.
April 2009: Wyandotte County’s NetStandard Announces Plans to Expand, Grow Business
One of Wyandotte County's most notable technology firms has announced plans to increase its operations by expanding its infrastructure. NetStandard, a national leader in technology management and Software as a service, began boosting their technology capacity at their existing 2000 Merriam Lane location in April of 2009. Please click here for the full story.
March 2009: WYEDC to host Quarterly Meeting at Speedway, featured speaker from Victory Junction
Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC) will host their first quarterly meeting of 2009 on Wednesday, April 8. The event will take place at the Kansas Speedway Media Center at the Legends at Village West from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and will include networking, a short program from WYEDC's president Brent Miles and featured speaker Mike Lepore, president of the Kansas Victory Junction Camp. Please click here for the full story.
January 2009: WYEDC hosts annual meeting, releases 2008 annual report
Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC) hosted their annual meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at Pin-Up at the Legends at Village West. The meeting was a huge success with more than 150 of the area's most prominent community and business leaders in attendance for the networking event that featured a short program presented by WYEDC President Brent Miles. Click here to view the 2008 Annual Report for more information about the success of the County in 2008.
BioTarget to establish research, development facility at University of Kansas Medical Center
BioTarget, a Nebraska-based drug company specializing in cancer treatments, will lease space for a new research and development facility on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus, creating 13 new jobs and $1 million in capital investment, officials announced today.
Please click here for the full story.
November 21, 2008: Wyandotte's Design Mechanical, Inc. renews Commitment to County
Design Mechanical, Inc. (DMI), a picture of entrepreneurial success in Wyandotte County, announces today plans to move into a new building within the Cambridge Circle Business Park at the beginning of 2009. The move will be complete on January 15 and will position the heating, air conditioning and refrigeration service company in one of the most prominent locations along Wyandotte County’s I-35 Corridor. (WYEDC).
Please click here for the full story.
October 1, 2008: Economic Development in Wyandotte County gets a New Name, New Brand
The organization responsible for building and strengthening the local economies of Bonner Springs, Edwardsville, and Kansas City, Kansas, is refreshing its image and updating its mission. On Wednesday, October 1st, at the first in a series of quarterly breakfast gatherings, Wyandotte Development Inc. (WDI) investors will take part in a vote that, if passed, would change the name of the organization to Wyandotte Economic Development Council (WYEDC).
Please click here for the full story.
Missed the WYEDC Brand Launch at our October Quarterly Breakfast meeting? Click on the following link to view a video shared during the presentation. Click here to watch the video.
July 1, 2008: Local Companies honored by the Kansas Department of Commerce
Three Wyandotte County companies were recognized last month by the Kansas Department of Commerce for contributions to their communities and the economy: Herff Jones, First State Bank, and Plastic Packaging. The companies were honored at the economic agency's annual Kansas Business Appreciation Month (BAM) East Regional Awards ceremony in Topeka. Please click here for the full story.
