Sedalia on firms' radar for location, expansion

The Economic Development of Sedalia and Pettis County Board of Directors discussed recent efforts to bring prospective businesses into the area, updates on companies relocating or expanding in the county and plans for the annual showcase at its quarterly meeting Wednesday.

Within the last week, Executive Director Linda Christle met with representatives from two companies interested in establishing a new location or expanding existing facilities in Sedalia.

Most recently, a food packaging company checked out the old Best Brands building. Christle said the visit went well enough to keep the area on the short list of potential sites for the company’s new facility.

“They are now in contact with corporate Best Brands to discuss purchasing the building,” Christle said.

A technology firm visited Sedalia on July 2. Christle said they spent a good portion of the visit at State Fair Community College, where they discussed potential partnerships with the school. The company also toured downtown Sedalia in search of a building in which they could locate their new facility.

Another company that manufactures boiler and energy products visited the area in May. The business, which is looking to relocate and expand its operations, needs at least a 150,000 square foot facility. The company intends to add 102 positions, with an average wage of $44,558, within five years of its expansion.

Christle said one company, based in the state of California, which had been examining the county as a possible relocation site, decided not to move into the area. The company, which proposed investing $3-5 million and creating 15-20 jobs, did not eliminate the area for potential future expansion projects but announced it will expand at its existing location.

“We hosted eight prospects (this quarter), so we have had a busy few months,” Christle said.

Pettis median income highest in area

Christle said Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s latest reports showed the median income of Pettis County residents increased more than $1,500 from 2007 to 2008, from $27,145 to $28,862, giving Pettis County the highest median income of the six surrounding counties.

Christle attributed much of the increase in median wage to the large number of manufacturing jobs in the area, saying a strong manufacturing base contributes to higher income levels.

“We’ve just been very fortunate,” Christle said. “I don’t think it’s any one thing, it’s a combination of many factors.”

Projects under way

Board members discussed the progress this quarter of several expansion projects under way in the area, including that ProEnergy Services received state tax credits for the expansion of its turbine facility, Dialysis Clinic Inc. broke ground on its new location on Mitchell Road, and Menards began clearing land for construction of a store on U.S. Highway 50.

Mayor Elaine Horn said Menards is improving roadways around its new location at its own expense. The addition of the new store, which has been annexed into city limits, will help bolster city and county revenues, she said.

Sedalia Showcase set for Aug. 20

The board also announced plans for the Sedalia Showcase scheduled for Aug. 20, legislative day at the Missouri State Fair.

After breakfast with Gov. Jay Nixon, a local manufacturing firm will make an announcement at the “Kids’ Zone” on the west side of the Missouri Electric Cooperative building on the fairgrounds. Board members will then head over to ProEnergy Services’ headquarters for a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour. Later in the afternoon, the board will attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Furnell building at the intersection of South Ohio Avenue and East Fifth Street.

Christle said the showcase is designed to “thank companies for investing and showing visitors what we have here.”

“It will be a great day, providing insight into ProEnergy,” Board President John Swearingen said. “I encourage everyone to be there.”