Thirteen Industries Recognized for Longevity in Pettis County

It was a night of recognition for several companies doing business in Pettis County on Thursday night during EDSPC’s annual Manufacturer’s Milestone Anniversary Recognition Dinner at the Sedalia Country Club.
“This is our 17th year of doing the Manufacturer’s Milestone event, where we recognize existing businesses here who are employing people and doing their thing right here in our community,” Craig told KSIS after the dinner. “So we’re really excited for all them to turn out. We recognized a lot of companies in business for five years to 105 years. So for us to be able to recognize them and say thank you, to have their businesses here in the community is really profound. And we just really appreciate the companies here in the community.”

And, Craig noted, “It takes a village to be able to support their businesses here. It’s not just me, it’s the City, the County, it’s all of our partners. Economic Development is a team sport. And we want to be able to make sure they continue to have what they need to thrive in our community for the next five years or the next 105 years,” she said.

Local industry accounts for 40 percent of all employees in Pettis County, Craig pointed out, adding that it draws people from 10 surrounding counties to work in Sedalia and Pettis County every day.

“We have over 70 manufacturing and industrial-related companies here in Pettis County,” Craig said. “We are very proud of making things here in Pettis County and Sedalia.”

Taking care of existing companies is one of Craig’s top priorities at Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County, which is located in the Lamy’s Building in downtown Sedalia.

“People are really excited when you get a new company in the community, which I am too, but if you’re not taking care of those who are already here, you’re just spinning your wheels,” Craig told KSIS.

“So you must take of the companies that are here, reinvest in them, support them and give them what they need to thrive,” she added.

When an out-of-town company is considering moving their operation to Sedalia, many factors are involved, including asking questions about the labor force, schools & training, child care, police & fire service, housing availability, etc., before making a final decision.

“They want to talk to their potential peers about the environment, and want to know that they’ll be supported,” Craig said.

The future pipeline looks strong for Pettis County, Craig said, noting that EDSPC has the potential to announce “a couple of fantastic, exciting economic development projects before the end of the year. So stay tuned.”

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This was Hailey Hollomon’s first Manufacturing Milestone Awards dinner, as she served as a summer intern at EDSPC. She is from Smithton and a 2024 graduate of Otterville High School, participating in track & field, and cheerleading. Hollomon is currently an MU freshman studying communications.

Hollomon’s assignment this month was to plan the awards dinner.

“I brought in all the businesses, I brought in all the sponsors. I contacted all the RSVPs,” Hollomon noted, which sounds to the average person like a lot of behind-the scenes work.

“It was,” she said. “But it was fun. A nice learning opportunity.”

Hollomon graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Otterville.

Hailey and her mother Nichole Hollomon greeted those attending Thursday night. Each guest checked in with the Hollomons and found out at which sponsored table they would be seated.

A total of 206 people attended the banquet. "It's not a record," said Craig, "but close."

EDSPC President Rusty Kahrs emceed the event. He introduced each company and presented them with a plaque recognizing their longevity in the community.

Those companies recognized Thursday night included:

*Nucor Steel Sedalia, LLC, five years

*TMS International, five years

*Mid-State Specialty Eggs, 15 years

*Koppel Fabrication, 15 years

*Impact Signs Awnings and Wraps, 25 years

*ArcBest, 30 years

*Lyne Plastics, 20 years

*Main Street Logo, 35 years

*PrintLynx, 40 years

*Gardner Denver, 45 years

*WireCo WorldGroup, 45 years

*Pepsi Co Beverages, 85 years

*Heartland Coca-Cola, 105 years