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Robert Long
Developing new approaches in shifting community development environments
Professional Background
Robert Long is a seasoned professional specializing in economic development and community revitalization, particularly within the greater downtown Kansas City area and its urban core. With extensive experience both as a Senior Development Services Specialist and previously as Development Services Specialist at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, MO, Robert has honed a unique skill set that empowers him to assist businesses and developers tackle complex rehabilitation and redevelopment challenges. His commitment is especially pronounced when working with first-time developers, guiding them through intricate processes with confidence and clarity.
His expertise transcends mere project management; Robert focuses on educational outreach, ensuring that clients fully grasp the available redevelopment tools, from tax incentives to financing programs. His ability to simplify complex tasks makes him a valuable resource for developers wary of the steep learning curve involved in urban development and revitalization.
Throughout his career, Robert has been dedicated not just to development but to fostering collaboration among community groups, neighborhood organizations, and local businesses. This holistic approach positions him as a pivotal figure in bridging gaps between urban planning initiatives and community aspirations, ultimately leading to vibrant and cohesive neighborhoods.
Education and Achievements
Robert’s educational background is as distinguished as his career trajectory. He holds a Master of Arts degree in History with a focus on historic preservation from Colorado State University, where he cultivated a deep understanding of the importance of safeguarding cultural elements in redevelopment projects. This knowledge translates into a sensitivity towards historical contexts and aesthetics, ensuring that modern developments honor and enhance the communities they inhabit.
Further enhancing his credentials, he studied Economic Development Finance Professional at the National Development Council. This program allows him to stay current with cutting-edge financial tools and methodologies for economic development, equipping him with the state-of-the-art knowledge required for successful project financing and execution. Additionally, Robert possesses a B.A. in English and History from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, as well as an Associates degree in the same fields from the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc, affirming his strong foundation in both communication and historical context which greatly benefit his clients.
Achievements
Robert Long has successfully spearheaded a plethora of redevelopment projects that utilized tax abatement and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), demonstrating his adeptness with various economic instruments designed to promote development. His success is illustrated by the profitable execution of mixed-use projects that not only stimulate local economies but create inviting spaces for their residents and businesses.
A significant aspect of his current role involves preparing and guiding clients through public approval processes, which can often be daunting. Robert's approach emphasizes transparency and education, allowing individuals and groups to feel confident in their undertakings and decisions. Furthermore, his experience as an Economic Development Administrator for the cities of Rockford, Illinois, and Savannah, Georgia, underlines his adaptability and extensive grasp of diverse urban landscapes and development challenges.
Throughout his career, Robert has cultivated solid relationships with local government entities, business leaders, and community stakeholders, reflecting his belief in collaborative progress. He views community revitalization as a partnership that benefits all parties, leading to sustainable urban growth and renewed investment.
For anyone in need of guidance on navigating community development challenges, whether it be strategizing building rehabilitation, enhancing business district appeal, or fostering neighborhood investment, Robert Long is the epitome of support and expertise. He understands the nuances of each unique project and tailors his approach to suit the client's individual needs, ensuring successful outcomes every time.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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- Reminders and Notes: Helps you remember important details about contacts
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Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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