EDCKC celebrates leaders who transformed KCMO through equitable development projects
May 16, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
Reshaping Kansas City doesn’t come without focused, intentional efforts by development advocates and officials, said Mayor Quinton Lucas, offering a toast to one of his city hall predecessors and her work to revitalize the heart of the city.
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas speaks during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“Many of us are blessed to remember Mayor Kay Barnes thinking about what downtown could be, and what economic development could be in Kansas City,” Lucas said Wednesday in remarks honoring Barnes as a changemaker within KCMO.
“There are very few who you can assign the credit for an amazing transformation, and she’s one of them,” added Lucas.
The former mayor, who was not able to join the event, was lauded by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City during its City of Fountains Celebration Dinner, alongside three key EDCKC leaders whose contributions and achievements helped grow Kansas City.
In an evening of recognition and celebration, Tracy Lewis, President and CEO of EDCKC, awarded three key members of the organization for their achievements at the Fountain of Celebrations dinner.
[Editor’s note: Startland News is a partner of the EDCKC.]
Award winners included:
Bob Long speaks alongside Tracey Lewis during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Bob Long, dedicated member of the EDCKC team for 20 years, was awarded with the Community Champion Award.
Lee Barnes joins Tracey Lewis in conversation during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Lee Barnes, former Councilman, was awarded The President’s Award for his steadfast support of the EDCKC’s mission, offering guidance and mentorship to President Lewis.
Bridgette Williams shares a laugh in conversation with Tracey Lewis during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Bridgette Williams, serving EDCKC for 16 years, as president of administration and as EDCKC’s Board Chair, was awarded The Chairman’s Award.
Tracey Lewis gives remarks during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Williams made a point to specifically acknowledge Tracy Lewis, president and CEO of the EDCKC, who has been in the top leadership role for nearly two years. Lewis is committed to fostering relationships that advance EDCKC’s mission of developing more affordable housing, attracting businesses, and supporting entrepreneurship in Kansas City, she said.
“Tracy is smart, he’s authentic, he’s independent, and he’s nimble,” said Williams, chairperson of the EDCKC. “I think you need all of those qualities in a leader when you’re talking about expanding and developing an urban city.”
ICYMI: EDCKC boasts right team at the right time, CEO says as agency rebuilds its reputation
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas speaks alongside Tracey Lewis during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Lucas’ remarks at the Carriage Club event expressed his gratitude for the significant strides achieved by the EDCKC as the city redevelops areas such as the West Bottoms, downtown, 63rd and Prospect, and along the riverfront.
“We passed transit oriented development, but we’re looking at how do we make sure we’re actually really building that in every part of the city?” said Lucas, noting how community boosting projects within KCMO must track with the city’s goals and vision for equitable development.
ICYMI: How a newly closed parking garage could signal transformation for a living Downtown KC
KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas appears in conversation with Tracey Lewis during the EDCKC’s City of Fountains Celebration Dinner; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
‘This is the end of The Sundry’ — Sustainable food problem remains after startup’s closing, founder says
The Sundry market-and-restaurant concept at Plexpod Westport Commons simply wasn’t solving the problems of scope and scale within sustainable and local agriculture as intended, said Ryan Wing. Ultimately, that meant the venture itself couldn’t continue as originally envisioned, added Wing, founder of the sustainable food startup, which abruptly closed to the public last week. “Expectations…
First couple of KC Dapper Rap launching first-of-its-kind coworking space for city’s urban core
A new self-style space in Midtown is expected to offer hair, beauty and wellness entrepreneurs an opportunity to cowork under one roof without the burden of securing financing or paying for utilities, said Lauren Euston. “If you are a busy stylist or busy wellness professional and you are working hard to reach the next level…
The Prospect: ‘Cutthroat Kitchen’ winner on the move with chef-inspired workforce training
Everyday consumers can elevate Kansas City through the simple of act of eating a meal, said Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant. Her in-the-works non-profit urban eatery concept — The Prospect — caters to a marketplace hungry for culinary-oriented workforce development training: students looking for a window into entrepreneurship through cooking, said Bryant, 2014 winner of Food Network’s…
BacklotCars parks another $25 million in Series B round led by NY-based investor
KC-fueled BacklotCars will further its mission to disrupt the wholesale automotive space, thanks to the close of a $25 million Series B funding round, the company announced Monday. Led by New York-based growth equity firm, Stripes, the round brings BacklotCars — which seeks to ease pain points for automotive wholesalers — to $38 million in…