Positive developments headline State of the Communities event

Pettis County community leaders focused on positive developments in 2008 and discussed their plans for 2009 at the fourth annual State of the Communities ceremony Thursday night.

Several speakers emphasized the stable local economy and infrastructure improvements that are planned for 2009.

Executive Director of Economic Development of Sedalia and Pettis County Linda Christle talked about the progress of the organization’s ongoing efforts to attract, maintain and expand businesses in the region. She said the county is one of the few places around the country “standing on their own” and even growing.

Christle pointed to development in the Enhanced Enterprise Zone, an average county wage that compares favorably with surrounding counties and an unemployment rate lower than state and national averages as evidence of the stable local economy.

She credited the cooperation among the communities across the county for contributing to the positive local development.

“We feel because of a lot of effort, the work ethic and diligent workforce, our location, local and state incentives, and the focus given to our industry that our communities and county are successful and have helped in achieving our goals,” Christle said.

Sedalia-Pettis County Emergency Manager Dave Clippert said the county continues work on road work to repair more than $70,000 worth of damage incurred during severe storms last June. State and federal EMA grants are reimbursing about 75 percent of the costs to fix the roads, Clippert said.

Sedalia’s Mayor Pro-tem Susan Daniels said the city is enjoying stable fiscal results and predicting growth in sales tax revenue in 2009. She said growth in the local health care industry, the expansion of city schools and retail development allow the city to “project continued growth and development in 2009 in all areas.”

“The message I have is fairly simple: with over half of the county’s population living in Sedalia, a strong Sedalia means a strong county, and Sedalia is strong,” Daniels said.

Daniels said residential and industrial construction totaled more than $61 million in construction projects in 2008. In 2009, the city will continue its work on a strategic plan to address and set priorities to strengthen service to its residents, she said.

“The national economic conditions does have impact locally, but Sedalia can and will ensure our community remains business-friendly,” Daniels said.

Green Ridge Mayor Allen Rohrbach said the state of the local economy is a matter of maintaining a positive state of mind. He also touted the city’s completion of a storm drainage project in 2008, along with discussing continued plans to upgrade the community’s infrastructure in 2009.

“In 2009, street and road projects will continue to be a priority,” Rohrbach said.

Along with road improvements, Rohrbach said Green Ridge is planning on “sprucing up the water tower,” extending a gas line through the city to lower utilities costs for residents and receiving a new truck for the local fire department.

Roadwork was the focal point of Smithton EMA Director Tom Hutchings’ presentation. He said in 2008 Smithton took advantage of the opportunity to chip and seal all city streets and upgraded its two waste water lift stations. Hutchings said Smithton leaders are excited about continuing infrastructure work in 2009.

“The county will be erecting a new community storm shelter, and we are very happy to be picked as a site,” Hutchings said.

Kim Martin, La Monte mayor pro-tem, described the city’s new planning and zoning committee as “something that needed to be done for a long time.” She also said the the first of eight county storm shelters is progressing rapidly.

“In 2008, everybody had a difficult time but I am happy to say La Monte is financially stable,” Martin said.

La Monte intends to utilize grants in 2009 to improve the city’s sewer systems and roadways, and it continues to pursue a plan for constructing a community center on top of the storm shelter site, Martin said.

Houstonia and Hughesville leaders did not attend the ceremony, instead they sent letters to update the county on the state of the communities. Hughesville City Clerk Lois Gray’s letter emphasized the community’s infrastructure improvements, including a repaired and upgraded water lines, sewer systems and water towers. Houstonia Mayor Ron Poehlmann wrote that chipping and sealing roadwork that started in 2008 is projected to be completed in 2009.

Presiding Commissioner Rusty Kahrs closed the ceremony with discussion of the county’s economic stability, the progress of the storm shelters, improvements to the courthouse and an upgraded 911 system.

“There has been one major theme here tonight: We are tired of all the negative talk about the economy,” Kahrs said. “Because we are all working as a team and pulling in the same direction, we continue to move forward.”

He said the first storm shelter in La Monte is progressing quickly and slightly under budget, and “thanks to the national economy the next two shelters are coming in significantly under budget.”

Kahrs added that economic challenges provide the county with an opportunity to make changes that will determine the future direction of Pettis County.

“The future of the county is what we make of it,” Kahrs said.