Over two dozen area industries were recognized for their longevity Thursday night at the Sedalia Country Club.

The 14th Manufacturer's Milestone Anniversary Recognition Dinner, as it was dubbed by EDSPC (Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County), is an annual event that honors those businesses that have stayed in business in five-year increments.

Last night's event was the best ever as far as attendance, with 283 people filling the banquet area at the Club, 5074 State Highway Y.

EDSPC Executive Director Jessica Craig was very pleased with the turnout.

"This is our event where we celebrate manufacturing, and especially those five-year milestones for companies that are here, from five years, all the way to 150 years of doing business year," Craig said. "We have a record number of people here tonight, so we're really excited about the great turnout, not just the volume, but the individuals who came out to support manufacturing and our great employers throughout the community."

"My motto is, it takes a village, and it takes not only a support system around these businesses, but also a great partnership. And I couldn't be happier with these 25 companies that are here tonight, celebrating their milestones," Craig said.

Craig added that the heart of the industries in the community is existing businesses. "And tonight, we take the chance to say thank you to them, not only for creating jobs and investments here in our community, but also for putting people to work with quality jobs," she concluded.

A listing of those companies honored Thursday night include: QC supply and Wildlife Ridge Winery with five years; Black Dawn Manufacturing, Load King and NEAT Tooling Solutions with 10 years; Heritage Fabrication and Jake's Creative Woodworks with 15 years; Independent Electric and Stribling Packaging with 20 years; Ideal Tool and Tyson Foods with 25 years; Advantage Metals Recycling, Maxion Wheels and Waterloo/Stanley Black & Decker with 40 years; Marcum Hauling, Midland Printing and Missouri Pressed Metals with 45 years; General Cable (formerly Alcan) with 50 years; CED Phillips and Co., DeLongs, Viebrock Sales & Services, and W & M Welding with 55 years; State Fair Moving with 70 years; Inter-State Studios with 85 years; and The Sedalia Democrat with 150 years.

EDSPC Board President Rusty Kahrs served as emcee for the popular event.

Also in attendance were several city and county officials, as well as politicians and candidates, including Sedalia Mayor John Kehde, Pettis County Commissioner David Dick, State Rep. Dean Dohrman, State Sen. Sandy Crawford, State Rep. Dave Muntzel, and candidate for state representative Brad Pollitt. Each of the aforementioned briefly  addressed the crowd.

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