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Despite trying times, there was still investment throughout the community in 2009.

That is evidenced by the Keystone Awards that will be presented to businesses and institutions by the Clay County Economic Development Council during a luncheon Dec. 9.

The awards recognize companies and institutions for their job creation, use of new equipment and technology, expansions and capital improvements.

“We have a lot of companies positioning themselves,” said Jim Hampton, executive director of the council. “They’re making investments in equipment and facilities so they’ll be ready as the economy starts to turn around. It’s the key to long-term survival.”

Hampton said the strategy is a proven one.

“Companies that figure out a way to build a better mousetrap are the ones that do well in difficult and good times,” Hampton said.

Clay County Presiding Commissioner Ed Quick appreciates the contribution of the businesses and institutions.

“It’s very important to have them,” he said. “They supply jobs and generate revenue.”

Looking to the coming year, Hampton is optimistic.

“It looks like we’re going to come out of this before much of the rest of the nation,” he said. “That’s the key, to go into a downturn later and come out early.”

Hampton said the indications are also positive on the housing front, where the inventory of unsold new homes is declining.

“The Northland is doing better in housing than any other part of the city,” he said.

The 2009 Keystone Award winners are the Imaging Center at Excelsior Springs Hospital, Excelsior Springs; Walgreen’s Retail Drug Store, Excelsior Springs; Kearney Elementary School, Kearney; Kearney Fitness Center, Kearney; Bell Prairie Elementary School, Kansas City; Children’s Mercy Hospital of the Northland, Kansas City; Kellybrook Elementary School, Kansas City; The Salvation Army Corps Community Center, Kansas City; Blue Jay Crossing, Liberty; Ceva Logistics, Liberty; Wear-Concepts, Liberty; Shumaker Hall at William Jewell College, Liberty; Burlington Center Redevelopment, North Kansas City; Custom Color, North Kansas City; Maverick Paper, North Kansas City; North Kansas City Hospital, North Kansas City; Lake Stone Plaza, Smithville; and Mid-Continent Public Library, Smithville.

THE DETAILS

The Clay County Economic Development Council’s Keystone Awards Luncheon will be Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Harrah’s North Kansas City. For more information or to make a reservation, call 468-4989 or visit www.clayedc.com.



Senior writer Mark Johnson can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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