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
He’s touched every ꓘ at The K for 25 years; meet the man who gives mud baths to 200+ balls before each game
Every baseball that crosses home plate at Kauffman Stadium likely received a mud bath from Tom Walsh, he shared. Before every home game — including opening day March 28 — the Kansas City Royals clubhouse and umpire services manager is in charge of preparing 204 balls in line with the strict regulations of Major League…
First look: Chef behind Strang Hall favorite Anousone brings his popular Laotian fare downtown
A new menu option at the Strang Chef Collective at lightwell hits familiar flavors for diners who already have fallen in love with renowned Chef Anourom Thomson’s Southeast Asian-inspired comfort food, said Shawn Craft. Anousone — a popular staple with the Strang Hall food hall concept in downtown Overland Park — has opened a new…
$30K grand prize: Sisters embrace vegan comfort eats potential with Mattie’s Food’s big win
Arvelisha Woods and India Monique plan to use their grand prize winnings from Friday’s We Are Black pitch competition to invest in the community’s health, they said. Mattie’s Foods won $30,000 in the second annual G.I.F.T. event, which saw 10 Black-owned businesses vying for funding to fuel their business dreams. The winning co-founders of the…
‘Punching above our weight’: KC requests $75M in federal funds as region’s Tech Hubs effort builds even more momentum
Leaders of Kansas City’s Tech Hubs initiative won’t find out until this summer if the regional effort will receive a new round of federal funding, but there’s already plenty to cheer, shared Dennis Ridenour. “We fully expect to be here — or someplace like this — four or five months from now celebrating our region’s…

