Excelsior Springs Hospital, your hometown healthcare

Lyndsey Baxter, DEP Director, Receives Multiple Accolades in a Single Week

Lyndsey Baxter, Downtown Excelsior Partnership’s Director since 2014, has been making waves in downtown Excelsior. When she took the reins, downtown’s vacancy rate hovered near 37%. Yet, Lyndsey’s commitment has been unwavering. Today, she’s optimistic about achieving a 100% occupancy rate in the next half-decade, a milestone that has eluded the area for over 50 years.

The 2022 DEP Annual Report showcases impressive results:
– For every $1 the City of Excelsior Springs invested, DEP generated an extra $8.41.
– A notable rise in taxable retail sales to over $6.9 million, marking a 3.30% year-over-year increase and a staggering 101.48% surge since the inception of the CID.
– The year saw 31,124 overnight stays and nearly $8 million pumped into private building enhancements.
– Volunteers poured in 8,350 hours, and DEP invested over $126,000 in marketing the district and an additional $42,500 in beautifying downtown.

Lyndsey’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. On October 25, 2023, Councilwoman Sonya Morgan honored her as the “Excelsior Springs Business Women of Missouri’s 2023 Woman Activist of the Year.” Morgan praised Lyndsey’s role in securing funds for downtown improvements and her passion for bolstering the local community.

The accolades didn’t stop there. The following evening, Lyndsey was celebrated at the Annual Civic Leadership Award Banquet hosted by the Missouri Municipal League’s West Gate Division. Mayor Mark Spohn, who nominated Baxter, lauded her exceptional leadership and invaluable contributions to Excelsior. Alongside other notable civic leaders, Lyndsey was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation.

She was joined by a host of dignitaries including Mayor Mark and Anna Sue Spohn, Mayor Pro Tem Stephen and Shelley Spear, Councilman Reggie and Kathy St. John, City Manager Molly McGovern, City Economic Development Director Melinda Mehaffy, her parents, Rex and Carol Baxter, and significant other Justin Ballantyne. 

City of Excelsior Springs at Missouri Municipal League West Gate Division Dinner. Photo Submitted.

If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!

Excelsior Springs Man Charged with Statutory Rape After Investigation
Teen Car Thief Strikes Again!
Poverty Simulation Offers Eye-Opening Experience for Excelsior Springs Residents
Excelsior Springs Hosts Regional Meeting, Highlights Kansas City’s Role in 2026 FIFA World Cup
Excelsior Springs Leaders Advocate for Community at Clay County Legislative Event
Talk of the Town
Talk of the Town – January 27-February 2, 2025

News for and About Excelsior Springs!

Get the Excelsior Citizen e-newsletter delivered straight to your inbox each week. It’s a collection of the best news and events all focused exclusively on Excelsior Springs. No fluff just local news and information you can trust!