Consultant Partners
Who We Are
Allstate Consultants is a civil engineering consulting firm focused on a broad range of public and private projects that improve quality of life and bolster the business community. Since 1975, Allstate has partnered with municipalities and economic development organizations to maintain and improve community assets. Our innovative design team includes engineers and consultants with expertise in the following disciplines.
- Civil/Site Development
- Transportation
- Water & Environment
- Structural
- Investigative & Forensic
In addition to our engineering services, Allstate partners with municipal clients to assist with grant applications and compliance and has particular experience with federal and state agencies’ programs that focus on infrastructure and economic development, including:
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
- Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED)
- Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA)
- Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Over the years, the team has introduced funding pathways to communities, advocated for projects to the various agencies, and assisted local leaders and city staff with compliance requirements so the process is successful. Recognizing a need for additional expertise, Allstate employs team members with project experience in economic development to further support its municipal and private clients. Believing strongly in the need for a streamlined process, Allstate assisted the City of Columbia with Missouri’s very first Certified Site, recognized by the Department of Economic Development, Department of Natural Resources, and major utility providers. We understand the importance of documenting and leveraging community assets for growth and sustainability.
Our Partnership
Understanding basic infrastructure is key to developing a strong and sustainable local economy. Through a relationship with Evergy, our team will partner with economic development organizations, city leaders, utility directors, and operators to document and assess community assets, including transportation systems and utilities, as we believe this tool is the first step to efficient and financially prudent asset management.
What We Do
Instead of systems living in the minds of legacy employees, we encourage communities to pull back the curtain and let us document and assess the various systems. Two primary benefits of our services: 1) You can respond immediately to site selectors about reliability and redundancy of your community’s systems because you know the locations and capabilities, and 2) You can strategically program for improvements instead of reacting whenever a problem arises.
Client Philosophy
We are committed to your success and will work diligently to deliver innovative solutions that work. We do not simply want to create a document to collect dust, we want to design and deliver information to fit your community’s unique needs and capacity. Our team takes great pride in their work product being displayed on the walls of council chambers and city employees’ offices as well as online. We are even more thrilled when we see mark ups and notes regarding future plans. We want to be your most trusted resource, vested in your success.
Chad Sayre
Professional Engineer
Principal/Vice President & Chief of Design Services
3312 LeMone Industrial Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65201
(573) 875-8799
allstateconsultants.net | cws@allstateconsultants.net
Who We Are
BlueSkyBots provides comprehensive aerial photography and videography services for commercial property and buildings. While based out of Kansas City, Missouri, our group is available to travel to any location to include the continental U.S. and beyond.
What We Do
We use advanced drone technology with high quality camera gear to capture a unique perspective of your event, business, and commercial property. We provide both raw footage and full feature short films for use on your website or in marketing materials.
Contacts: Derrick Woolworth (President)
Susan Carrico (Owner)
Offices: 8217 NE 127th St
Kansas City, MO 64167
(913) 269-6013
blueskybots.com | derrick@blueskybots.com | susan@blueskybots.com
You need the right facility to produce and distribute your product from an accessible location to your target market. This requires a partner that understands your business, the industry and how to best locate your facility to maximize efficiency and profit.
Burns & McDonnell can effectively assist company leadership in prioritizing factors that will impact long-term operations and aid them in vetting options to arrive at the optimal site for land and facility investment.
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE RANKED
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING RANKED #17
AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE RANKED #4
MEDICAL AND SCIENCES RANKED #15
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (OR DATA CENTER) RANKED #11
Ascertain Operational and Location Criteria
As no singular company is the same, it is critically important to determine the drivers behind your site selection decision. We understand this and will work with company leadership to ascertain operational and location criteria.
Lead High-Level Screening of Location Factors
Burns & McDonnell will serve as an efficient liaison, taking the factors that are directed as priorities by the company to identify regions for investment consideration. Our team will aid you in maintaining confidentiality in their site selection process, requesting data from economic development partners and affiliated agencies on their behalf. From there, Burns & McDonnell will then analyze collected factors to provide information that allows for congruence in decision-making to narrow the site search.
Request for Individual Community and Property Diligence
Upon the determination of regions of interest, Burns & McDonnell will assist in solicitation of requests for information regarding individual community and property diligence, local workforce and labor information, and available incentives and concessions. Our team will analyze this information and package for easy comparison on the part of your leadership.
Vetting for Finalist Sites
After the company further narrows the site consideration, Burns & McDonnell will assist in the vetting of property diligence information for finalist sites to determine any deficiencies and complete similar analysis for labor or community services deficiencies. Our team will use deficiencies as leverage in incentives negotiations. Upon final decision, our team will assist you in acquisition of land, entitlements, and other processes necessary to begin construction on their new facility.
PRECAPITAL CONSULTING
Choose your site based on your specific needs
The right manufacturing location is one that best positions you to produce and distribute your product efficiently while maximizing profits and marketability. Our skilled precapital consultants understand the business of manufacturing and distributing consumer products, giving us the perspective to see the bigger picture of your business goals. We know location and proximity are critical in site selection, but factors suck as feedstock, raw materials, infrastructure, taxes, power sources and labor resources are also significant elements.
We have the experience and resources to conduct field reconnaissance, including infrastructure and utility screening. We'll research all factors that could influence your decision, present case studies of each site and, when possible, arrange for site tours. For a confidential client, Parker Hills, our project manager and senior energy developer, researched various manufacturing plant sites, evaluating cost and feasibility data, tax considerations, shipping distances and other factors. His thorough research revealed that moving from the original site to the alternative option a few miles away in a neighboring state saved the client millions of dollars in reduced energy costs to be realized over the expected useful life of the facility.
WE DO IT ALL
Experienced on every element of your project
Building a new manufacturing plant requires the right location and configuration for optimal operations, processes, maintenance and potential expansion. As a full service consulting, engineering and construction firm, we have the experience and resources to help you navigate every element of your plant, from determining the ideal site to designing and constructing your plant, and connecting to critical power, water and transportation infrastructure.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN-HOUSE
Find the best solution for the lowest cost
Finding the right location for your manufacturing plant requires careful consideration for your business as well as the selected community of residents and businesses. You need a team that can manage the entire communication process, from stakeholder engagement to disseminating information and leading community meetings. With our in-house team of public involvement specialists, you can be confident community members will receive the right information about the project and the benefits it will provide. We provide regular updates through various means, including public meetings, and professionalism in addressing concerns.
TRUSTED DISCRETION
Maintain your brand integrity
Because 70 percent of our team has client-side experience, we understand the success of your product relies on your proprietary processes and product6ion methods. That means your partners must share your commitment to confidentiality when it comes to your manufacturing facilities and product information. We work with multiple clients around the country that trust us to immerse our professionals into their business lines for total understanding of solving your challenges with the confidence that their product lines will remain exclusive to them.
Courtney Dunbar CEcD, EDFP, AICP
Burns & McDonnell
Site Selection and Economic Development Leader
Global Facilities
16131 Bedford Avenue | Omaha, NE 68116
(402) 201-8822
burnsmcd.com | cmdunbar@burnsmcd.com
Who We Are
candid is a creative collective hyper-focused on brand strategy. We create and redefine brands that elevate businesses through compelling messaging and design. We produce simple, yet innovative marketing campaigns that result in positive momentum for our clients. candid has extensive experience providing turnkey, integrated marketing communications services to transportation and logistics companies, economic development organizations, as well as commercial real estate and A/E/C firms.
We understand how to develop messaging and marketing campaigns that drive business for both public sector and private sector investors / partners.
Click here to view our Economic Development Look Book
Click here to view our AEC Look Book
Our Partnership
Because we’ve partnered with Evergy, your organization can use our services at a preferred price and you may be eligible for a cost-sharing program.
What We Do
Here are five ways you can work with us:
- Establish a brand or refresh an existing brand
- Create and execute investor, site selector and commercial real estate attraction campaigns
- Annual report
- Workforce development
- Fundraising communication
becky freetly-graber
president + partner
candid marketing
(816) 765-3608
justbecandid.com | becky@justbecandid.com
Practical. Integrated.
Innovative. Expert.
Economic Development Services: Market Research and Target Industry Analysis
- Trend Analysis and Thought Leadership
- Strategy Consulting
- Talent Solutions
- Business Retention and Expansion
- Rural Competitiveness
- Speaking Engagements and Workshops
Strategy and Marketing:
- Economic Development Strategic Planning and Milestone Development
- Target Industry Analysis
- Branding and Marketing
- Audience Identification
Chrisman Consulting works through a process of: Discover, Develop, and Do.
Discover: Uncover and understand the problems, issues, and data for each client. Learn the market, customers, competition and prospects that can move the needle of growth.
Develop: What is your unique path and plan to move the needle and grow? What resources need to be brought together for success?
Do: A plan to implement and support along the way to make measurable progress.
After a plan is in place, we ensure that you are able to measure your outcomes and progress; help you track the impact of your work and projects to ensure a return on investment, and model our work so clients can replicate on their own.
Carolyn Chrisman, Owner
660.988.0479 mobile
ChrismanConsulting.com | carolyn@chrismanconsulting.com
Who We Are
In business since 2003, we have been effectively assisting businesses by increasing their online brand awareness and client base. We put it all to work for you when we provide cost-effective web development solutions with results that you will be proud of. We know we have to make big impressions to succeed.
What We Do
Using an experienced talent pool of specialists allows us to only pay for the expertise we need. At the same time, we have the experience to bring all perspectives together to intelligently discuss choices and options for your business, and implement what makes sense. Our overhead is extremely low, so we are able to pass the savings on to you.
We aim to create value for our clients, because we realize that our clients will bring more business to us than any advertising or networking we do alone. As an end-to-end web solutions provider, we also know that a lasting relationship can be beneficial to both parties. Our services include Web Design and Development, Website Hosting, Digital Marketing, Mobile App Development, and many other related services.
Client Philosophy
E2E Web Solutions provides a suite of end-to-end services related to the Internet as well as complimenting services. We can help take your business to the next level.
Dan Moses
E2E Web Solutions
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
(816) 210-0805 office
e2ewebsolutions.com | dan@e2ewebsolutions.com
Who We Are
At Highline Partners, we are a branding, marketing and PR firm focused 100% on places.
We work with developers, civic organizations and municipalities to help shape the vision, craft the story, and execute the communication materials needed to bring a project to life. Our team includes all the disciplines of an ad agency and PR firm, plus those specific to placemaking, including architects, land use and urban planners.
While we work across the country, on projects of nearly every size, we serve our clients the best when there is a strong vision, a complex story and a team that is interested in trying something different.
In past lives, our co-founders worked on national big brands at top agencies in New York, California, and KC, but today we're KC-based because who wants to pay $25 for a cheeseburger? At our core, we're Midwesterners, and what we learned there, we get to bring here. We adapt the best practices of design and marketing to cities and towns that need to get it right the first time.
What We Do
We are deep into economic development and helping civic organizations reposition their hometowns. We speak the language of marketing, but also are fluent in placemaking, real estate development, attraction and retention strategies.
For projects that need economic development strategies beyond marketing, we are partners with the Waymaker Group. You can learn about our partnership here: www.EveryCityMatters.com
Our moms would also say that we're also nice. And creative. And fun.
If you are an underdog city, we would love to discuss how our approach can help you better tell your story.
We can help you attract and retain:
- Talent
- Developers
- Companies
- Investment
Services include:
- Brand Design
- Story Development
- Outreach Marketing
- Web Development
- Social Media
- Public Relations
- Media Planning and Buying
Brett Posten // Principal
Highline Partners
(C) 805.452.3780
(O) 310.598.1082
www.highln.com | bp@highln.com
Who We Are
Hydraulic Studio and Air Capital Drone Company combine to be your comprehensive creative resource for video, aerial and photo production. We are a concept-to-consumer video agency located in Wichita, KS and we excel in video production for commercial, manufacturing, industrial and entrepreneurial-minded companies. We are flexible, we stick to budgets and provide exceptional value to every client in the video and photography work we produce. We are a team of creative directors, videographers, photographers, animators, licensed drone pilots and producers.
What We Do
We are experienced in creating videos to meet a wide variety of business goals. Whether you need a testimonial video, aerial topographical map, a property video with animation or a corporate training video with acting talent, our extensive client-side experience makes us experts in facilitating anything your production requires.
We will handle all phases of your project from concept development, copywriting, filming, editing and delivery.
We work with companies of all sizes, including those with a local, national and even international presence.
Our Partnership
In 2015 we began our creative working relationship with Westar Energy and Evergy and have worked in collaboration with both companies to create projects for television, social media, event coverage and more.
Peter Espinosa
Director
(316) 304-9362
145 N Hydraulic
Wichita, KS 67214
Hydraulicstudio.com | Aircapitaldroneco.com | Peter@hydraulicstudio.com
Who We Are
The Institute for Decision Making (IDM) is the community and economic development outreach arm of the University of Northern Iowa.
What We Do
IDM has a 32-year record of delivering tailored and innovative planning, technical assistance, applied research and training to well over 800 communities, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, state agencies, statewide associations, convention and visitor bureaus, community planning groups and other similar not-for-profit organizations throughout the Midwest. With staff possessing a combination of advanced training and education in a variety of applied fields and practical professional economic development experience, IDM is able to provide clients with customized services to meet their needs.
Drew Conrad
University of Northern Iowa
Business & Community Services Building, Suite 113
8120 Jennings Drive
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0120
(319) 273-6977
idm.uni.edu | andrew.conrad@uni.edu
MarksNelson’s Location Strategies
A plan to move forward begins with the final destination in mind. But it’s how you navigate the small steps along the journey that makes all the difference. MarksNelson Location Strategies can help you understand this complex and sometimes confusing path as you grow or transition. Whether you are considering a new location or evaluating your existing facility network, our team can guide you through all aspects of the process from site selection to project implementation. This allows you to consider the big picture and make well-informed choices.
Click Here to download our brochure
Services Include:
Location Strategy Development
- Location strategy model creation
- Market studies
- Scenario planning
Location Evaluation
- Market studies
- Location screening and evaluation
- Community and site visits
- Comparative modeling
- Incentive modeling and evaluation
Location Selection
- Due diligence
- Public meeting representation
- Announcement support
- Incentive negotiation and compliance
Steve Etcher
Manager - Location Strategies MarksNelson LLC
1310 E. 104th Street, Suite 300
Kansas City, Missouri 64131
(816) 743-7700
marksnelsoncpa.com | setcher@mnlocationstrategies.com
Who We Are
McClure was founded in 1956 with a vision of making lives better, and our mission is to build relationships to help our clients be successful. We accomplish this by living our core values of integrity, professionalism, constant attention to detail, innovation, fun and fulfilling work environment, hard work, and continuous self-improvement. McClure’s area of expertise is in guiding our clients in making long-term capital investments. The company specializes in public infrastructure and capital improvements planning in the areas of community planning, transportation, water, wastewater, stormwater, structural, bridge, land development, landscape architecture, aviation, surveying, and mapping (including 3D high-definition scanning and UAV mapping) projects throughout the Midwest and nationally.
Our Partnership
McClure's suite of surveying, planning, and engineering service offerings, combined with our partnership with Evergy allows us to provide effective guidance and expertise in economic development planning, industry leading community planning, site preparedness, and master planning for development areas/projects. We strive to build strong relationships with our clients to ensure their success and view this as an imperative step toward achieving local development goals within the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on seeing a project through our client’s eyes to ensure we provide the information and design required to be successful.
What We Do
At McClure, we use our engineering, surveying, and community planning/site planning capabilities to provide comprehensive solutions for communities both large and small. We have a strong history of working hand in hand with our economic development partners, local governments (city, county, etc.) and the development community toward creating mutually successful development design that meets the needs of current investors and future end users. McClure designs infrastructure that promotes the development of the community in a safe and accessible way, which in turn provides for a strong foundation in which businesses grow and thrive. This includes the local streets, highways and bridges, site readiness studies, master plans, land use analysis and community planning which provides an implementation plan toward successful economic development. Our team of professionals offers high-level experience in site analysis, site master planning, community planning and engineering study, which is vital in the economic development process as communities work to retain and attract businesses and create good paying jobs for the members of the community. This requires significant investment which we strive to fully optimize to receive the maximum return on investment to achieve the desired objectives of our partners. We fully understand the carefully calculated strategies that are developed to make such an investment. McClure excels in providing a sound design with optimized value for our partners in their economic development efforts.
Client Philosophy
McClure has been living the mantra “making lives better” for over 65 years, concentrating our efforts on communities across the Midwest. By listening to the client, we find the right solutions specific to their community through all phases of their projects. We strive to make their experience with us unforgettable and form a lifelong relationship. Our client’s communities are our communities, and we envision a sustainable future for everyone’s children. We are in business to create a world where our children and grandchildren can flourish-traveling on safe roads, drinking clean water and playing in pure rivers and lakes. All phases of our projects keep this important concept in mind.
Morgan Mutert
Business Development Lead
816-806-6875
www.mcclurevision.com | mmutert@mcclurevision.com
Who We Are
Next Move Group is a Missouri based economic development consulting firm focused on creating economic growth for small & mid-sized communities and companies. In addition to our Missouri office we have consultants located in New Orleans, Toronto, and Greenville, South Carolina.
What We Do
We have built a core of 3 services to create economic growth for small & mid-sized communities and companies. Our 3 core services are: site selection for small & mid-sized companies, economic development products designed to help small & mid-sized communities be more competitive with their economic development efforts, and economic development executive searches to place qualified economic developers in small & mid-sized communities. As for our economic development products, we work directly with communities on generating prospects through online prospecting, setting lead generation meetings, performing targeted industry analysis, and various online marketing strategies.
Alex Metzger
Co-Founder/President Next Move Group, LLC
(314) 421-9110
555 Washington Ave., Suite 310
St. Louis, MO 63101
thenextmovegroup.com | alex@thenextmovegroup.com
New Orleans | St. Louis | Toronto | Greenville, SC
One-Day Planning Facilitation:
This one-day facilitation helps an organization or community assess key opportunities and challenges and develop short term goals to address the needs. We start with developing key data based on whether it is an organization or community specific approach and walk through small and full group discussion leading to consensus goals. For organization boards or community leaders.
Focused Strategic Planning:
For organizations and/or community visioning. This starts with an in-depth conversation with the client on the goals of the program or project being considered to give an initial starting point for determining opportunities and challenges. The process then includes 4-5 days on-site, meeting confidentially with key stakeholders to develop a SWOT assessment followed by a one-day group session with board and/or stakeholders to set key goals. This is followed by working with staff and leadership on defining the strategies/action steps supporting the goals for implementation. The draft plan is validated key stakeholders and a final document prepared. This process also helps lead into a fund-raising effort, if one is planned or needed, by assuring hot button items are addressed.
Organizational Review and Development:
For smaller chamber, economic development, foundation and social service organizations, we believe it is valuable to look at the overall role in the community and if the organization is structured to achieve that role (or needs to modify the role). Along with looking at the mission and structure, we work to develop job descriptions, budgets, marketing and resources to be effective and successful. The scope of this work is truly based on what the organization needs and how it can work to meet the objectives.
Training:
We offer training from a lunch presentation to half-day on key topics related to Chambers, economic, community and workforce development. In addition, we cover disaster recovery and preparation, based on experiences with the Joplin tornado. These “basics” can stand alone or serve as board/stakeholder training or as a thought-starter for organizations to begin gaining support for key projects or programs. We also partner with other organizations that can provide long-term organizational development and training opportunities as needed.
Special Projects:
We have done labor market assessments, business park feasibility studies and have created partnerships for workforce and education programs. We have conducted membership/stakeholder surveys as well. We have background in helping companies with site selection, helping chambers and economic development organizations improve their responses to site selection inquiries and conducted public economic development 101 sessions to begin gaining support for expanding existing or creating new economic development initiatives.
Rob O’Brian
(417) 438-0100
obrianassociates.com | rob@obrianassociates.com
Who We Are
We're architects, landscape architects, engineers, artists, and planners with a passion for design and a drive to make a difference. Beyond creating a space you love, we want you to enjoy the process of getting there.
Our Partnership
Lack of housing is one of the major constraints to further community and economic development, even during good economic times. Over the past 15 years, RDG has delivered Community Housing Assessment Team studies to nearly twenty KCP&L served communities. As a KCP&L Local Partner, we consult with economic development organization to devise and implement an action plan to address the community's key housing challenges.
What We Do
At RDG, our goal isn’t just designing a space — it’s making a difference for the people who use it. That’s why we listen first. We dig deep to understand your challenges and deliver solutions that fit the way people live, work, play, and learn. At the core, it’s about doing the right thing. That means building relationships on respect and trust. Bringing passion, energy, and creativity to every project. Leading the way with technology and sustainability. And being actively involved in the communities we serve. We’re a diverse group of individuals united by a commitment to healthy living, continuous learning, and responsible design. We love what we do and it shows in our work every day.
Martin H. Shukert, FAICP
Principal RDG Planning & Design
900 Farnam on the Mall Suite 100
Omaha, Nebraska 68102-5089
(402) 449-0820
rdgusa.com | mshukert@rdgusa.com
What We Do
Smart Solutions Group helps you and your community looks good. From planning for the future to marketing, we can provide the expertise needed to get the job done. We will save you time and money by pulling from our many years in the economic development profession. Our areas of expertise include, organization, planning, marketing, branding, workforce development, technology and executive searches.
Clark Smith
Smart Solutions Group
(515) 314-9755
smartsolutionsgroup.net | csmith@smartsolutionsgroup.net
What We Do
We’re Olsson, a nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering and design firm with a rich history of success. Founded in 1956 on the very mindset that drives us today, we’re here to improve communities by making them more sustainable, better connected, and more efficient. Simply put, we work to leave the world better than we found it. Though our philosophy hasn’t changed since John E. Olsson opened our doors many years ago, we have certainly evolved, adding 30 of offices across nine states. Olsson can perform professional services nationwide. We have more than 1,800 professionals and offer a comprehensive list of services: planning and design, engineering, field services, environmental, and technology.
SERVICES
ENGINEERING
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
ENVIRONMENTAL
- Air Quality
- Environmental Planning & Permitting
- Hydrogeology
- Remediation
FIELD SERVICES
- Construction Management
- Drilling
- Geotechnical
- Materials Testing
- Nondestructive Testing
- Special Inspections
- Surveying
PLANNING & DESIGN
- Community Planning
- Landscape Architecture
- Master Planning
- Program Management
- Site Design
- Transportation Planning
TECHNOLOGY
- Geographic Information Systems
- Intelligent Transportation Systems
- Project Visualization
- Systems Engineering
- Traffic Management Systems
- Utility & Industrial Automation
MARKETS
ENERGY
- Oil & Gas
- Power
- Renewable Energy
- Thermal Energy
GOVERNMENT
- Federal
- State
- Local
LAND AND FACILITIES
- Commercial
- Data Centers
- Education
- Healthcare
- Industrial
- Residential
- Sports & Recreation
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- Outside Plant
- Inside Plant
- Network Planning / Wireless
TRANSPORTATION
- Aviation
- Bridges
- Highways & Streets
- Mass Transit / Rail
WATER
- Dams & Levees
- Drinking Water
- Groundwater
- Stormwater
- Wastewater
Luke Willenbring
Olsson
Senior Client Consultant
7301 W. 133rd Street, Suite 200
Overland Park, KS 66213
(816) 616-0825
www.Olsson.com | lwillenbring@olsson.com