EDSPC Announces New HQ To Be Built at TMIP

EDSPC will soon have a new permanent home at 101 Curry Drive at the very front of the Thompson Meadows Industrial Park.

EDSPC (Economic Development Sedalia Pettis County) is currently located on the second floor of the restored Lamy’s Building at 108 Pacific. It moved there in November of 2023. Before that, it was located on the third floor of the now closed US Bank, 3615 West Broadway.

But according to John Swearingen, the EDSPC Board was looking for a more permanent location.

The precise location chosen is perfect, with high visibility from Highway 50, and easy for prospects to find when them come to town for a site visit.

“Our building and our commitment to economic development will be in front of you and in front of everyone, so that people will know just how damned serious we are about economic development in this county,” Swearingen stated during a brief ceremony Thursday morning at TMIP.

Pettis County Presiding Commissioner Bill Taylor noted that the new EDSPC location “is a testament to our county and our city and our population, our industry, to our commitment to economic development, because we have the best workforce anywhere around, and that’s why factories continue to come here, businesses continue to expand here … I also think it’s very fitting that this is being built right off Curry Drive. David Curry did tons of work here 50 years ago to lay the foundation and get to where we are today,” he said in his impromptu speech.

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Mayor Pro Tem Tina Boggess said she was very proud of Jessica Craig and the entire EDSPC team. She wished Jessica all the best, and added “We know, if there’s somebody to be brought into Sedalia, they’re gonna get ‘em.”

Swearingen thanked a few men who have passed on, such as Bob Hardwick, John Pellham and Larry Foster. He also thanked David Curry, which has since retired from economic development.

Current Board member Bill Shumake was recognized for his efforts over the years in economic development, and Swearing noted that Shumake personally paid for half the cost of erecting a new EPSPC headquarters at the industrial park. He was later presented with a plaque to recognize his accomplishments and donations.

Craig said that “it really does take a village to accomplish economic development and growth in this community,” she said. “I get asked all the time how does Sedalia and Pettis County have so much going for it?”

Her response is always “it takes decades in the making. It started back in the ‘70s. And that’s exactly what we’re celebrating today, is the opportunity to have somebody on our board, but also a driver and a pioneer in economic development. So Bill, thank you for your support, thank you for having trusted me, a young lady coming into this position years ago, and your mentorship. I have learned a tremendous amount from you,” Craig said. “Your impact will not only see today, but generations to come.”

President of the Board Rusty Kahrs also spoke on the flatbed stage Thursday morning, battling the wind like all the other speakers.

“Bill has always been a friend,” Kahrs said. “He treats his people right. His generosity for the contractors, he wants you to make money, he wants you to be successful. And that’s a part of the Bill Shumake we see here today that’s making this project happen. He wants our community to be successful. He wants economic development to succeed, now and into the future. He saw a need, and he stepped in, and I just can’t say enough good things about my friend Bill.”

“I appreciate everybody being here today. It’s been a long time coming, but we’re finally gonna make it. And I just want to thank all the people in Sedalia and the community, because without your help, Town & Country Motors would not have been the success that it was, or myself. And I’m happy to give back to the community,” Shumake said upon receiving his award.

After all the speeches were made, a ceremonial shovel turning ceremony was held besides a big, yellow dozer with pre-plowed ground.

Call  (660) 827-0884 for more information.