EDSPC Director Recognized for 10 Years of Service

On the last day of September, EDSPC Executive Director Jessica Craig was recognized for 10 years of service to the community.

The recognition coincided with an open house for EDSPC’s new office facility, located at the front of Thompson Meadows Industrial Park at 101 Curry Drive.

A commemorative plaque with Craig’s photo on it was presented to her by EDSPC (Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County) Board Member John Swearingen in front of a roomful of friends, family, business associates and EDSPC board members.

Her start date with EDSPC was Oct. 1, 2016.

“We knew we had the person we wanted. She’s been in economic development in different roles for years, Swearingen said. And I don’t know if you all have been scoring at home, but a lot of great things have been happening over he last 10 years.”

Upon receiving her award, Craig noted that “none of this would be possible without what I call the “Founding Fathers” of economic development here in Sedalia and Pettis County … it takes a lot of hard work by a lot of people – I see a lot of teammates around the room, it really is a team sport,” Craig said. “I’m just fortunate to be a part of that team and see it grow over the long term.”

Craig added that she has worked in the economic development field since 2004, and had the desire to return to her home town “and help grow it for future generations, so my kids will have a great place to raise their kids, hopefully.”

Craig thanked the EDSPC board and the Service Corp., for allowing her “and the entire community the free will to go out and continue to grow the community. So thank you very much.”

The Sedalia Pettis County Community Service Corporation Board (Est. 1980) actually owns the new facility, which is visible from Highway 50.

Ground was broken for the new EDSPC HQ April 17, 2025. At the time, EDSPC was 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.

“I’m tickled to death to have you all here with us today,” stated Sweringen during his speech.

Major funding for the EDSPC office complex came from Bill Shumake. “There’s not a dime of public money in this building,” Swearingen emphasized. “It is 100% privately funded.

A framed piece of art was presented to Shoemake during the ceremony.

“I appreciate the gigantic turnout,” Shumake noted. “Jessica’s got a tough job. We’ve got a lot of competition. There’s a lot of people out there who want these jobs, and a lot of companies and a lot of towns – it’s hard to get them here. We’re very fortunate. We have a great community. We have great employment people that have helped us a whole bunch. And again thanks to the original starters who laid this foundation for us to continue.” He ended his speech by thanking David Curry, who was not in attendance Wednesday.

“This is the culmination and embodiment of a lot of work over the generations by all people who have been involved in economic development in this county,” Swearingen noted.

“We stand on the shoulders of people who, decades ago, decided that economic development was important, and we’re here because of it today. And this building is the embodiment of it. In 1965, some citizens from Sedalia convinced the City Council that we should commit resources to economic development. Resources being money, time and effort … and in 1968, a plant was opened northwest of Sedalia called General Cable. We call it Prysmian today. In 1975, the City and Economic Development partnered for Sedalia’s first industrial park. And two years later, Waterloo Industries opened a plant there in 1977. They were the first ones to be in that park. And next year, they will celebrate 50 years here in Sedalia,” Swearingen said.

He went on to say that “it’s wonderful when we attract businesses to this community, it’s even more endearing when they get here, they like it, they stay and they grow their businesses here.”

Hayes Wheels came to Sedalia in 1978, and in 1979, Gardner-Denver came to town. In 1980, Broderick & Bascom arrives in Sedalia (now known as Wire Rope Co.) and we established the manufacturing base that we have here today,” Swearingen told the crowd.

“All of those businesses are still with us today,” he said proudly.

According to EDSPC’s facebook page, over 70 manufacturing and industrial businesses currently call Sedalia-Pettis County home.

In 1980, a loan program administered through the State of Missouri allowed the organization to construct a Spec Building.

It was used to attract businesses to Sedalia “and it worked like a champ,” Swearingen said. “It worked so well, that last spring, we sold it to a business that made this their permanent home.”

He went on to mentions names like Bob Hardwick, John Pellham and Larry Foster, who served on the board and who have all passed on. David Curry is the only remaining survivor from that era.

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US Rep. Mark Alford also attended the event, claiming it was not a political campaign stop, adding that he was not planning on stopping in Sedalia Wednesday.

“But once I found out this was happening, and tell you just how great Sedalia and Pettis County is, and what this building is going to mean,” Alford told the crowd during his speech.

“You know, Pettis County, in my estimation, has always been a beacon of the Missouri spirit,” he said noting that “Sedalia is the historic home of the Missouri State Fair, where every summer,  we showcase the absolute best.”

He called the new EDSPC offices a “blue ribbon” for the community.

Republican Alford (4th District) said his mission in Washington is to work hard to turn Missouri, the Show-Me State, into the “Grow-Me State.”

He emphasized that “we secured $6 million for the Workforce Training Center, (and) for the Agriculture Advancement at State Fair Community College.

“This center is going to make sure our students and workers are equipped with the cutting edge skills that they need to lead the next generation of Ag and industry,” the US Rep said.

“We also secured $750,000 for the Missouri Rural Health Innovation Center at Bothwell Regional Health Center,” Alford said. “Our hospitals need sustainability and this is a step in the right direction to make sure that happens at Bothwell.”

Alford said the new EDSPC facility “is a symbol of what happens when local leaders, business pioneers and community members like you, all pull together in one direction and make something happen.”

He added that “when Pettis County grows, all of West Central Missouri grows.”