Officials: New high school, hospital expansion should help ‘sell' Sedalia

Developments in Sedalia’s health care and education sectors over the last year should provide a long-term boost to economic development in Sedalia and Pettis County, local officials said.

The recent announcement of an $18.3 million expansion at Bothwell Regional Health Center and this year’s opening of the new Smith-Cotton High School will benefit efforts to market the region to outside companies and employees, local business development leaders said.

Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Deb Biermann said health care and education are among the top components identified by the Blue Ribbon Vision Committee as indicators of a strong business climate.

Linda Christle, executive director of Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County, said the opening of the new high school and the announcement of the expansion at Bothwell have presented the EDSPC with a “wonderful need to completely revamp marketing proposals.” Both additions help make the community more well-rounded and demonstrate residents’ willingness to spend to improve their quality of life, Christle said.

“These say to a company coming in that the residents really care about the community and helping meet the community needs,” she said.

Bothwell Chief Executive John Dawes said the health center’s expansion will improve local access to health care services, allowing residents of Pettis and Benton counties to seek treatment for common conditions close to home.

“I think the advantage is that it allows us to provide additional services for patients who can receive this care without traveling to other regions for it,” Dawes said.

Aside from creating construction jobs, the expansion at Bothwell is expected to help in the recruitment of between eight and 12 physicians as well as additional support staff over the next two years.

Christle said the availability of quality health care also is among the top priorities for business leaders determining whether to relocate or expand their businesses in a community.

“Health care is very important, of course, because manufacturing firms use the medical facilities a lot,” Christle said. “Whenever companies come to visit, it (health care) is always somewhere in the discussion, and it’s always part of the tours.”

Biermann said along with concerns about the quality of health care available to their employees and families, business leaders recognize the benefit a strong health care sector can have in attracting and retaining managers and other skilled workers.

Along with health care, Christle said the International Economic Development Council consistently ranks education among the top aspects of a community for businesses considering relocation, expansion or closure.
Sedalia School District 200 Assistant Superintendent Brad Pollitt said the new high school equips the district with one of the most modern, high-tech facilities in Missouri.

“I think that the new high school has put us on the same playing field as most districts around the state,” Pollitt said.

Along with improvements at the high school, the new facility allowed the district to reduce class sizes and grades included in the local elementary schools and helped bring improved technology to the Smith-Cotton Junior High, Pollitt said.

“When somebody is going to move for a job or move their business, they want to know that education is important to our community,” Pollitt said. “The community has allowed us to add to our district, and that says to people this is a community looking to the future.”

Biermann agreed that the quality and ranking of local schools play an important role in business relocation and retention. She said the new high school, along with increased offerings at State Fair Community College, help demonstrate the area’s commitment to youth and education.

When people come to Sedalia for school activities or health care services, it also encourages them to frequent local restaurants and retailers, Biermann said. Encouraging people from surrounding areas to eat, shop and stay in Sedalia accounts for a significant portion of the local economy, she said.

“These really strengthen Sedalia’s position as a regional market center,” Biermann said.