The 2013 EDC Cornerstone Awards kicked off Monday afternoon (5/13) with a 700+ crowd and a touch of ‘Oscar-like’ red carpet to showcase outstanding local chefs and business contributions in Kansas City, Missouri. The EDC Cornerstone Awards were established to recognize companies and projects that contribute to the growth of the city’s economy. Despite recent fiscal challenges, award-winning businesses continue to provide economic stimulus to the city and surrounding metro area. New construction and redevelopment projects, capital investments and jobs created by the award winning businesses represent the successes that position Kansas City for the future.
L-R: Pete Fullerton, EDC President,
John Smith, Executive Chef, The Jacobson,
Brian Aaron, Executive Chef, Tannin Winebar-Kitchen,
Bridgette Williams, EDC Chair & Dep Director of Heavy Constructors Association of KC
Opening remarks by Bridgette Williams,
EDC Chair & Deputy Director of Heavy Constructors Association of KC
Mayor Sly James commented about Kansas City receiving national attention for economic development and technology growth. He stated “Everywhere I or my staff travel, coast to cost, from Texas to San Francisco, people are talking about Kansas City…they want to know ‘What is going on in Kansas City’ and ‘Why do we keep hearing about Kansas City?’ We are doing a lot of good here, and that is cause for celebration!”
A highlight of the evening was when Mayor Sly James was presented the
Small Business Advocate Award
by Jeffrey Bean from the United States Conference of Mayors
He received the honor for his small business and start-up initiatives in Kansas City, and advocacy work with Partner America, a public-private partnership to help small and medium sized businesses in cities across the nation improve sales through management assistance. PartnerAmerica is designed to assist mayors in providing the resources and information small businesses need to thrive within their local communities and the global economy.
Cornerstone Award Winners:
*Click on project titles for details about each project
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A $11.9 million Swope Community Builders project that launched redevelopment efforts in a blighted area on the east side of the downtown loop.
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A new $7 million city aquatic facility in South Kansas City
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A tuition-free k-8 charter school in Downtown Kansas City
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A new sports themed establishment in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District
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American Performance Technologies
Manufactures high performance and environmentally responsible recreational and utility products, was recognized for a $26 million expansion that will add 276 jobs and utilize the Montgomery Ward facility on former site of Bannister Mall.
A multinational manufacturer of rigid plastic packaging, is investing $31.5 million in a 200,000-square-foot facility at 6920 Executive Dr., a project that will yield 80 jobs locally.
[/service] [service title=”The Arts Winner:” size=”col-12″ layers=”true” icon=”2″]
Provides residential studio space for aspiring artists and musicians at 1000 E. Ninth Street
[/service] [service title=”Small Business Winner:” size=”col-12″ layers=”true” icon=”2″]Infinite Energy Construction Headquarters
Infinite invested $1.1 million in the acquisition and renovation of a building at 13625 Oak St., where the firm plans to increase its workforce by 51 positions to 88.
[/service] [service title=”Special Recognition” size=”col-12″ layers=”true” icon=”2″]National Nuclear Security Administration
Kansas City Plant
The 1.5 million-square-foot campus at 14520 Botts Road cost $687 million to construct. Developed by CenterPoint Zimmer, a subsidiary of CenterPoint Property Trust of Oak Brook, Ill., the facility will be leased to the General Services Administration for $61.5 million a year for 20 years. The lease, signed in 2010, was the financing linchpin in a deal allowing the NNSA to replace an aging plant in the Bannister Federal Complex and retain 2,500 highly-paid workers on a modern, cost-efficient campus.
[/service] [service title=”KC BEST Awards” size=”col-12″ layers=”true” icon=”2″]While traditionally, the Cornerstone awards have been about recognizing those companies that have invested in bricks and mortar, our next awards, the KC Best awards, were developed to recognize companies that more often, have been the unsung heroes. They may not have built a new building or renovated an existing property, but they’ve invested in their people, growing their businesses and increasing the local payrolls while remaining committed to Kansas City, Missouri.
KC BEST Large Company Category
Lockton Companies
KC BEST Small Company Category
Walker Medical Linen Services
KC Best Special Recognition Award
Kansas City Power & Light, Co.
Special recognition goes to:
Kirk Hazenshahl, RareWire
Tim Sylvester, Integrated Roadways
Jase Wilson, Luminopolis
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This year’s award honors to Joanne Collins
Mike Burke presented the James C. Denneny Spirit Award for long time dedication & civic pride in Kansas City to Joanne Collins. Joanne has served on 55 boards over 50+ years (currently sits on 32 boards, chairs 5 and involved in another 40+ civic organizations) in her continued service to the Kansas City community and economic development. She described Kansas City as “one of the finest, greatest cities in America” and three words define her continued spirit and passion for Kansas City, “Energy, Attitude, and Service.” She summed up her speech with a simple phrase for everyone, “everyday do something for yourself, do something for others – laugh and have fun!”
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[service title=”Congratulations to all the winners!” size=”col-12″ layers=”true” icon=”2″]
2012 EDC Cornerstone Winners
CLICK HERE to see the full list of finalists
*View candid shots of the reception on our Facebook Page!
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The evening wrapped up with award-winning comedy sketch troupe Right Between the Ears performing several skits focused on a spoof of ‘well known’ Hollywood actors auditioning for “an official spokesperson to tell us what makes Kansas City great!” It was a humorous and welcome close to an eventful and rich economic development showcase of Kansas City.
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