Good morning and welcome to June!
School is out of session, and the cicadas have made their presence known. I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to summer. The Moberly Area has so much to offer, from camping, fishing, hiking, and relaxing at Rothwell Park to catching a race at the Moberly Motorsports Park, enjoying the Fayette Truck and Tractor Pull this weekend, or visiting one of the many municipal pools in the region—the list goes on!
May was all about housing here at MAEDC. We hosted a group from the Tracy Family Foundation and Brown County, Illinois, where Tom Sanders and Chuck McKeown joined us to share how Moberly has stayed ahead of the curve in addressing the workforce housing crisis. Tom shared how the City of Moberly conducted a housing study in 2018 that stated we needed 400+ homes in the next 5 years to meet housing demands. With creative efforts from city officials, the City of Moberly is working towards that goal by expanding housing options and attracting new residents. It was a wonderful visit and an opportunity to showcase the City of Moberly.
Other exciting happenings in the MAEDC region last month included the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) District 4 Semi-Annual meeting in Fayette, MO. Amber Overfelt and I planned a jam-packed day of showcasing Fayette, Central Methodist University and their new student housing development, and an educational session from the Missouri One Start program. The following week, we co-hosted a ribbon-cutting with the Boonslick Economic Development Corporation to celebrate the over $3.4 million in improvements at the Port of Howard/Cooper County.
Looking ahead to June, we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day and General Omar Bradley with several events on Saturday, June 8th, including a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial in Rothwell Park, a showing of The Longest Day at the historic 4th Street Theatre, and a dinner fundraiser at the Moberly VFW hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Moberly Parks and Recreation office or at the door. The General Omar Bradley Memorial, Library, and Museum Inc. is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of this great American's enduring legacy of leadership, integrity, and service to the nation for the benefit of current and future generations.
With summer heating up, so is interest from businesses wishing to locate to the Moberly Area. I am looking forward to several meetings this month and being able to showcase our communities. Additionally, we are hosting a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselor on Friday, June 7th, from 9 am – 3 pm for appointments and walk-ins. It's never too late to start exploring a business idea or working towards expanding your current organization. If you have any questions or know of an interested business, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Kaylee J. Paffrath, MBA
President/CEO
Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation
Ph: 660-263-8811
Small Business Development Center to have Office Hours at Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation
The Small Business Development Center will have office hours at the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation starting June 7, 2024. Business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to stop by on Friday, June 7th, from 9 AM to 3 PM to meet the team. This initiative aims to support local business owners, financial representatives, and entrepreneurs by providing them with direct access to the SBDC’s expert advisory services.
During these office hours, attendees will have the chance to:
Receive one-on-one business consultations
Get advice on grant and funding opportunities
Learn about market research and business planning
Network with other local business professionals
"We're excited to offer the community easy access to the SBDC. We're starting with a full day each month and will expand that presence as the demand for services grows. Even on days when the SBDC is not here in Moberly, everyone can still access the services through MAEDC's office. We felt it was important to have someone here in person to provide extended opportunities to access their resources," said Kaylee Paffrath, President/CEO of MAEDC.
To book an appointment email info@moberly-edc.com.
Future dates for SBDC office hours at MAEDC will be announced via MAEDC’s Facebook page. Stay tuned to ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable sessions.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrates Port of Howard/Cooper County Expansion
New Franklin, MO — May 17, 2024 — The Boonslick Economic Development Corporation (BCDC) and the Howard County Economic Development Council (HCEDC) are thrilled to announce the completion of a major infrastructure project at the Port of Howard/Cooper County. Last Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the port as the only public port between St. Louis and Kansas City on the Missouri River.
The $3 million project was funded by grants from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), emphasizing the importance of enhancing transportation infrastructure for economic and community development.
John Sponaugle, assistant director of the Howard and Cooper County Port Authority, stated, "With the completion of this project, the Port of Howard/Cooper County is the only public port between St. Louis and Kansas City."
The Missouri waterway moves $4.1 billion worth of cargo annually. Kendall Kircher, president of the Howard County Port Authority board, highlighted the port's community benefits, including reduced traffic in Boonville. "All the grain from this side of the river currently goes through town for the MFA farmer cooperative. A single barge load of grain takes 55 semis off the road," Kircher noted.
Kircher also emphasized the cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits of port transportation. The ceremony included remarks from local officials, port authority representatives, and key stakeholders, who discussed the positive impact on the local economy and regional transportation network.
"These investments pave the way for further development opportunities at the port. As we explore alternative modes of transportation and anticipate the expansion of I-70, the port stands poised to offer even greater opportunities for commerce," said Kaylee Paffrath, President/CEO of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation, the economic development service provider for the Howard County Economic Development Council.
Special thanks to KMIZ for publishing. Read more.
Missouri Economic Development Council Visits Fayette, MO for District 4 Meeting
The Howard County Economic Development Council (HCEDC) hosted the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) District 4 in Fayette last week as they convened for their semi-annual meeting at Central Methodist University. Over 30 economic developers and their associates from throughout central and southern Missouri attended.
The meeting took place on Thursday, May 9th, focusing on Workforce Development. Dr. Roger Drake, CMU President, inaugurated the meeting with a warm welcome and an overview of the university's economic impact on the community. The university contributes $70.5 million annually to the Howard County economy and $123.1 million throughout the state of Missouri.
Julee Sherman, CFO and Vice President for Finance and Administration, was a featured guest who provided an overview of the college's programs, current and future projects, and introduced the $9 million student housing development, Eagle Plaza, located in downtown Fayette.
Shelle Jacobs, Missouri One Start Manager, presented on the various workforce development programs offered through the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s One Start program. Missouri One Start is the state’s premier workforce recruitment and training division, assisting eligible businesses of all sizes in staying competitive by providing customized recruitment assistance and resources to train and upskill new and existing employees.
Scott Morris, President of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Landon Ball, President of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, and Cana Conrow, Executive Director of Downtown Fayette, all presented overviews and project updates of their respective organizations and communities. The day concluded with a behind-the-scenes tour of Eagle Plaza and a sweet treat from Henry’s Hometown Ice Cream.
"This gathering provided a fantastic platform to connect with fellow professionals, learn about resources available to our employers, and highlight the charm of Fayette. A heartfelt appreciation goes to our gracious hosts at CMU and our lunch sponsor, HCEDC, for their contributions to our memorable experience," said Kaylee Paffrath, President/CEO of Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation, the economic development service provider for the Howard County Economic Development Council.
About MEDC: MEDC serves as the authoritative voice on economic development and related issues in Missouri. As a statewide nonprofit association of economic development professionals and community leaders, MEDC has been the unified voice of Missouri economic developers since 1979.
Data Training for Public and Nonprofit Sector
June 27, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Columbia, Missouri
This in-person training teaches attendees how to use data through hands-on exercises, demonstrations, data communications practice, and other methods. Attendees will gain fundamental skills in finding, manipulating, visualizing, and communicating data!
The training will benefit professionals from community nonprofits, utilities, chambers of commerce, public sector, economic development organizations, workforce boards, associations, and higher education institutions. Spots are limited.
Enhance your ability to:
Find sources of data and manipulate downloaded data in Excel.
Create effective and professional data visualizations.
Communicate data effectively in presentations.
Utilize data for grant writing and/or grant reporting.
Cost: $450
Continuing Education: Digital Badge and Certificate
Partners: MU Extension Exceed – Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development Program
MISSOURI ECONOMIC DASHBOAD
Thank You Industrial Club Sponsors!
The collective efforts of our Industrial Club members have not only strengthened our organization but have also had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals in our community. Together, we have been able to generate job opportunities, enhance workforce development, and foster an environment conducive to innovation and prosperity.
MOBERLY AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROVIDER FOR HOWARD COUNTY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOWARD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
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