Multiple Keystone Awards Given to Local Businesses

Excelsior Springs Keystone Award winners, The Elms Hotel and Spa and Downtown Excelsior Partnership — *Excelsior Springs Keystone Award winners (left to right) Jessica Higginbotham, Marissa Krems, and Lyndsey Baxter*

Thursday, December 15, 2022, Clay County Economic Development Council held their annual celebration of achievements in business by presenting Keystone Awards during a luncheon at Harrah’s North Kansas City. Among the twelve economic developments being honored were two from Excelsior Springs, The Elms Hotel & Spa and Downtown Excelsior Partnership. Awardees are chosen among those that are nominated by each community.

Jessica Higginbotham and Marissa Krems accept the Keystone Award for The Elms Hotel and Spa — *The Elms Hotel and Spa General Manager Jessica Higginbotham (left) and Spa Manager Marissa Krems accept the Keystone Award for The Elms Hotel and Spa*

The Elms Hotel & Spa have undergone a complete renovation of their entire space this year. In recognition of their investment, their nomination reads:

Parent company Midway Enterprises has invested $7 million in renovating every area of the Elms Resort and Spa. Rooms and public spaces have been refreshed with new paint, carpeting, new tile and fixtures.

The 88 Restaurant underwent a transformation and was relaunched as Three Owls, which is a historical reference to the early days of the Elms. Both ballrooms underwent renovation, and the hotel added The Market, a grab and go shop, and Cafe Soterian, a new coffee and wine bar.

In addition to all of these changes, the Elms made significant improvements to the spa, outdoor areas and pools. The Elms has recently experienced some of their best years, and the recent renovations make returning to the Elms a great choice for rest and relaxation – something that even Kansas City favorites like Patrick Mahomes enjoys.

The general contractor on this amazing project was Midway Enterprises, Inc., and the architect was OoMo Studio, LLC.

*Downtown Excelsior Partnership Director Lyndsey Baxter accepts the Keystone Award for 2022.*

The nomination for Downtown Streetscape reads:

Downtown Excelsior Springs has been transforming itself for some time. In the last 12 months, they have had more than 393,141 visitors to the area, an increase of more than 12 percent from fiscal year 20-21.

None of this is an accident. The Downtown Excelsior Partnership works diligently to make sure that there are significant events throughout the year to bring shoppers downtown, helping bring an increase of over 68 percent in reported retail taxable sales last year compared to when the district was formed.

A key component to this success is the investment from downtown property and business owners. In the past year, owners and developers have invested more than $1.5 million in the renovation of existing buildings. Several more projects are in the planning process.”

In attendance from Excelsior Springs included Mayor Sharon Powell, Councilwoman Sonya Morgan, City Manager Molly McGovern, Economic Development Director Melinda Mehaffy, Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Director Brian Rice, Downtown Excelsior Partnership Director Lyndsey Baxter, The Elms Hotel and Spa General Manager Jessica Higginbotham, and Spa Manager Marissa Krems.