Unique partnership helps businesses, community

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - The Independence School District and the business community enter a unique partnership to help area entrepreneurs.

Jennifer Ward is an entrepreneur with a business called “Be Free Baker”. She hopes to sell gluten-free foods to national grocery chains.

She is starting up her business at the Independence Regional Ennovation Center.

"It's a phenomenal opportunity for people here. Look around there's so many incredible pieces of equipment here. We don't have to buy everything upfront,” says Ward.

With the help of TIF dollars the Independence School District bought the former Independence Regional Health Center which was vacant.

The property is now home to the Independence Regional Ennovation Center. Two local incubators currently open at the site: the Kitchen & Culinary and the Bio-Technology.

"Our district depends on the tax dollars that businesses bring in, and providing a space that will allow new businesses to flourish will not only help them, it will eventually help the district and the community," says Superintendent Jim Hinson.

A business and technology wing is expected to open next year.

The project is a partnership between ISD, the Independence Economic Development Council and Edwards Management Group.