EDCKC selects 2019 Cornerstone Awards finalists; May celebration to honor Emanuel Cleaver
March 4, 2019 | Startland News Staff
Innovators and leaders in new construction, redevelopment, capital investments, job creation and expansion projects in Kansas City, Missouri, are set to be honored in late May at the 2019 Cornerstone Awards.
The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, is a 501c4 agency that works to retain and grow its resident businesses, attract high opportunity companies to locate in the city, and attract and retain a skilled and diverse workforce all to ensure a vibrant community and growing, self-sustaining economy.
The Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, (EDCKC) announced 22 finalists for the honors today.
“The Cornerstone Awards are a chance to take time out of our busy schedules to come together as a community to celebrate individual leaders and leading organizations that are propelling Kansas City, Missouri forward,” said Bob Langenkamp, president and CEO of the EDCKC, which selects the Cornerstone Award winners. “Without big thinkers, dreamers and doers, we wouldn’t be seeing the civic and economic progress we’re seeing in Kansas City, Missouri. There’s always more work to do, but this year’s finalists are truly inspiring.”
Cornerstone Award finalists include:
- 21c Museum Hotel
- ARTerra
- Bar K
- Blenheim School Apartments
- Brookside 51
- Community America Credit Union – Crossroads and South Plaza
- Crossroads Hotel
- CVS Midwest Distribution Center
- Fountain City FinTech Accelerator
- Hy-Vee Arena
- Hotel Indigo Crossroads
- Ignite Medical Resorts
- Kansas City Industrial Council (KCIC)
- Kenton Brothers
- Linwood Shopping Center
- McQueeny Lock Building
- Mobility Designed
- Norman School Lofts
- Operation Breakthrough
- Two Light Luxury Apartments
- Union Berkley Riverfront
- Wonder Shops + Flats
The number of honorees varies from year to year, with 10-12 typically selected. Winners are expected to be announced at the EDCKC’s annual Cornerstone Awards event 4 p.m. May 29 the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, Imperial Ballroom, a new venue for the celebration.
Click here for more on the Cornerstone Awards or to purchase tickets.

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
In keeping with Cornerstone Award tradition, a Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to an outstanding local leader who has been tirelessly dedicated to philanthropy, civic endeavors and the economic prosperity of Kansas City, Missouri. The 2019 Lifetime Achievement recipient is U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri.
In addition, the event will highlight and elaborate on EDCKC’s three main initiatives:
- EDCKC’s new minority business accelerator, which is set to launch this spring.
- The Blue River Valley Industrial Corridor, a multi-year effort to unlock the development potential in more than 3,000 acres on the eastern edge of Kansas City, Missouri.
- The EDCKC Loan Corp Program, dedicated to providing working capital to minority-owned, for-profit businesses in Kansas City, Missouri, who have previously been turned down by a financial institution.
Click here for more on the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri.
Featured Business

2019 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kansas student’s mobility tech for visually impaired users wins Congressional App Challenge
An Overland Park eighth grader’s app idea — using object detection and text-to-speech technology to help visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings — earned him a visit to the principal’s office, then an opportunity to showcase his innovation in Washington, D.C. “I actually came across a video online, and it was about this blind woman…
Chatterbox speaks the language of reluctant learners: games featuring global cast of AI tutors
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. WICHITA — A Kansas-built language-learning app takes a gamified approach to fluency — inspired by travel and the simple joys of players feel when competing in traditional board games, said…
Hella Good lunar launch party celebrates KC’s rising Asian culture, bringing ancestors to the night market
Béty Lê Shackelford hopes Hella Good Deeds — the nonprofit sister organization of the popular Vietnamese coffee shop Cafe Cà Phê — makes members of Kansas City’s Asian community feel held and hugged, she said. “Hella Good Deeds is here; we love you; and we’re really open to collaboration,” explained the founder and executive director…
Husband-wife culinary duo among 8 KC bars, restaurants named James Beard semifinalists
Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. Many of Kansas City’s best-regarded culinary luminaries are represented in the nominations, including The Town Company and Chewology; But the list…

