CONTACT: Melissa Beltrame, Marketing Director
mbeltrame@leadbankonline.com
Jenny Kincaid, Socialworx PR
(816) 550.4382 / jenny@socialwrx.com
KANSAS CITY, MO (DECEMBER 2015) Lead Bank, a locally owned financial institution dedicated to the needs of small businesses, is offering three $500 scholarships to select local companies who attend an Introduction to Entrepreneurship course offered through a partnership between the Blue Springs School District and University of Missouri–Kansas City. The course will be offered through UMKC's Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation during the Spring 2016 semester to high school students and adults wanting to start a business or better their small business skills.
Barry Whiting, a Lead Bank loan officer, will personally experience the class to gain a better understanding of its offerings on a personal and professional standpoint. Lead Bank understands that entrepreneurs and small businesses are a crucial part of today's economy and takes great pride in helping entrepreneurs and small businesses win. Through expanding their involvement into Blue Springs, Lead Bank continues their mission to support the small businesses and startups in the Kansas City metropolitan area. “More and more people every day are interested in owning their own business and Lead bank is excited to support academia and entrepreneurship in Jackson County. By partnering with these entities, we’re able to play a bigger role in our community,” says Josh Rowland, Vice Chair of Lead Bank.
“In addition to expanding education choices for our high school students, I think the UMKC Entrepreneurship Class in Blue Springs is a fantastic opportunity for young businesses, start-ups and individuals of all ages considering starting a business. This is an extremely important step in contributing to economic development in our community,” says Lyle Shaver, former Chair for the BSEDC. The Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation believes a partnership in education is important to their citizens, employers, and the economy, in order to help develop and sustain a well-trained and prepared workforce.
Dr. Jeff Hornby, Henry W. Bloch/Missouri Endowed Chair at UMKC, Interim Department Head and Director - Regnier Institute concluded, “The Bloch School of Management and the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation are proud of the partnership and commitment between the Blue Springs School District, the City of Blue Springs and UMKC for this exciting and challenging course. This partnership will provide opportunities for the future.”
About BSEDC
Since 2005, the Blue Springs Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has been an integral component of community growth. By facilitating policy development, EDC helps set the stage for the future of Blue Springs. This includes business development activities that lead to the creation of jobs and community wealth. EDC’s role is to help attract well-placed, thoughtful and planned growth that meets the community’s needs, while positioning Blue Springs as a “community of choice.” To do this, EDC develops programs and initiatives that foster and shape development and investment in the community. EDC is charged with proactively providing assistance to companies and individuals seeking to open, locate or expand their business in Blue Springs, ranging from startups and entrepreneurs to existing employers and new companies. For more information, visit www.bluespringsedc.com
About Lead Bank
For more than 85 years, Lead Bank has remained a strong independent commercial bank dedicated to delivering smart financial solutions for business owners, managers and their families and communities. With locations in Garden City, Lee’s Summit and now the Kansas City Crossroads, Lead Bank continues to provide treasury management, lending services, and personal client products. Lead Bank also offers advisory services to companies from bookkeeping to business brokerage services through its division, Lead Business Advisors. The new flagship location in Kansas City’s dynamic KC Crossroads District introduces clients to a new “era of banking”. For additional information, call (816) 220.8600 or visit www.lead.bank