By Marisa Gray
Business West recently completed its 27th year. Joe and Katie Maderak founded Business West in 1985 so that area businesses could have a collective voice. That advocacy continues as Business West begins its 28th year.
The State Avenue Corridor Planning Committee, a division of Business West, will holds its annual meeting at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the Conference Center at Kansas City, Kansas, Community College, 7250 State Ave. All interested persons are invited.
Bill Heatherman, the county engineer, will tell of the progress of construction along State Avenue. The roadway is being widened; sidewalks and continuous right-turn lanes are being added.
Those attending will also learn of how the Workforce Development program at the college can assist area businesses.
The cost for the meeting and the breakfast will be $10 a person. For reservations telephone 913-766-4300 or e-mail [email protected].
Business West has always had a good relationship with the Community College. However, it is my personal goal as the Business West president to have an even better relationship.
To that end, the college will offer to Business West members (and any other interested business) a class on social Internet marketing. It will from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 in Room 2325 of the Jewell Building at the college. The cost will be $10 a person and include breakfast. To make reservations, telephone 913-288-7660.
Business West recently held its 27th annual meeting at the home of Tim and Allison DeWitt in the Piper community. More than 50 persons attended.
The following were elected: Kathleen Meyers Baska, chairwoman; Marisa Gray, president; Jane Winkler Philbrook, president-elect; Lesley Johnson, treasurer; DeeAnn Behrens, Melissa Bynum, Tim DeWitt, Joe Maderak, Rusty Roberts and Don Scaro, directors for two-year terms; and Matt Browning, director, one-year unexpired term. Those directors continuing to serve are Sheryl Becker, Pat Sedlock and Nancy Winkler.
Murrel Bland, the Business West executive director, presented the “Member of the Year” award to Baska. He cited her volunteer work in helping publish the Looking West directory, which serves Business West and the Leavenworth Road Association.
All of this activity is possible because Business West has members. To learn how you can become a Business West member, telephone 913-766-4300, e-mail [email protected] or visit businesswest.org.
Marisa Gray is the president of Business West.