North Kansas City, Mo. (Dec. 5, 2024) – The Northland Clay County Economic Development Council celebrated outstanding contributions to the county’s economic growth at the 2024 Keystone Awards ceremony on December 5 at Harrah’s Casino in North Kansas City, Missouri. The event celebrated businesses and organizations that have significantly impacted Clay County through job creation, capital improvements, and community enhancement. Excelsior Springs was well represented among the numerous nominees, with five exceptional projects receiving recognition and awards going to The Springs Restaurant and Excelsior Springs QuikTrip. Here’s a closer look at the nominees and their achievements:
The Springs Restaurant
Located at 415 St. Louis Avenue in Excelsior Springs, The Springs Restaurant revitalized a historic downtown property through an $850,000 investment. Owners Chuck and Sonja Duckworth transformed the building, adding modern amenities while preserving its architectural heritage. The restaurant features new outdoor seating, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and a renovated interior, contributing to the vibrancy of downtown Excelsior Springs.
Excelsior Springs QuikTrip
The QuikTrip at 2021 W. Jesse James Road became a vital addition to the community, offering convenience and spurring economic activity at the gateway to Excelsior Springs. The development overcame infrastructure challenges and improved local traffic conditions, creating 25 new jobs and enhancing accessibility.
Lewis Elementary School
This $32 million educational project integrated modern design with the historic charm of Excelsior Springs’ district. Lewis Elementary not only offers state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities but also serves as a FEMA-rated tornado shelter. Its thoughtful design and community impact earned it recognition at the event.
Excelsior Springs Community Center Outdoor Pool
With an investment of $6.5 million, the Community Center added a competition-level outdoor pool that has elevated local athletics by introducing swimming as a school sport. The pool’s removable dome structure allows year-round use, and it has become a hub for fitness and recreation, creating new employment opportunities.
Siloam Springs Park
This heartfelt project repurposed playground equipment from the old Lewis Elementary School into a community park. Spearheaded by the McElwee family and supported by local partnerships, Siloam Springs Park now serves as a vibrant gathering place that honors Earl and Margaret McElwee’s legacy of giving back.
Recognizing Excellence in Economic Progress
The Keystone Awards are a wonderful recognition of how local investments can fuel growth and enhance the community’s quality of life. It was especially impressive to see our rural community so well represented, standing out among major metropolitan neighbors and even taking home some of the awards. Celebrating these projects brings positive attention to the vital role businesses and organizations play in building a vibrant and thriving community.
(Descriptions of projects taken from award nomination sources).
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