EDSPC Updates Successes

The Economic Development Sedalia Pettis County Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting Wednesday at the EDPSC offices, 3615 W. Broadway.

EDSPC Executive Director Jessica Craig summarized recent events and looked forward to upcoming events at the meeting, hosted by Treasurer Kyle Weymuth.

A major announcement on June 22 by Capstone Precision Group, LLC (based out of Finland), to locate a “Nammo AS” distribution and warehouse at the former Alcolac facility at 24732 Randall Road, formerly know as “Project Green,” was applauded by board members. According to Craig, the Alcolac building was perfect for Capstone to house their logistics center for four commercial ammunition brands, including Lapua, Berger, VihtaVuori, and SK.

Ammunition, components and smokeless powder will be imported from Finland and Germany and distributed in the U.S. and also exported, while projectiles from the company’s Mesa, Arizona location will be shipped to Missouri for packaging and distribution.

A Marshall dentist is renovating the property, which was damaged by fire in early April. The renovation is expected to be cpmpleted by Dec. 1.

The project, which has been in the works for several months according to Craig, is expected to initially create 13 jobs in the area. A total of 21 jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.

An unsuccessful bid to locate a Dollar Tree distribution center was a learning experience for EDSPC, Craig noted.

Moberly and Warrensburg were the finalists for the project, with the 'Burg ultimately winning the bid. “the whole key is being prepared,” she said, adding that there was simply not enough time to prepare the prospective site in time for Dollar Tree's needs. “But,” Craig pointed out, “we were very strongly considered.”

On the plus side, Craig noted that she has been preparing and delivering proposals for a prospect every two weeks, on average.

At Thompson Meadows Industrial Park, a certified site (shovel ready), Craig said that the park is about 10 steps ahead of many other sites, which reduces risk to incoming companies wishing to relocate there. A marketing effort is currently being conducted at TMIP, with drone video footage being shot there last week to produce a 90-second to 2-minute promotional video, Craig told the board.

Lt. Gov. Mike Parson visited Sedalia May 17 and toured Starline Brass and Waterloo Industries, meeting with area leaders to discuss tourism and having a skilled workforce. His appearance was part of a roundtable discussion held at the Lowell Mohler Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds that day. Parson also attended a veterans town hall meeting later in thee day.

The event “was a great opportunity to showcase the community to state officials,” Craig said, adding that it was quickly organized.

Craig was named 2017-2018 president of the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) at the organization’s annual conference at Lake of the Ozarks June 14. She was also presented with the 2017 MEDC President’s Award at the conference. Mark Stombaugh, CEcD, EDFP, and former MEDC president, as well as Blue Springs’ economic development manager, presented the award to Craig, stating that “Jessica is doing great things in Pettis County.” Stombaugh added that he looks forward to her leadership.

Craig admitted that the president's award completely caught her off guard.

Also at the meeting, Mark Dawson, KCP&L public relations, noted his parent company Great Plains Energy's recent proposed merger with Westar Energy that was announced on Monday.

According to Dawson, the proposed merger will create a $22 billion dollar company with an equity of around $14 billion.

EDSPC will be participating in the opening day parade at the 2017 Missouri State Fair on Aug. 10 with a unit promoting local manufacturing.

And the annual Sedalia Showcase will be held Aug. 17, which coincides with Legislator's Day and the Governor's Ham Breakfast. The day's events includes a tour of Zephyr Manufacturing, which is celebrating its 90th year in business, and WireCo WorldGroup, where lunch will be served to invited guests.

The EDSPC board of directors will meet again Oct. 4 at 12 p.m.