Hello!
Spring has finally arrived, and the beautiful weather is hopefully here to stay. The recent rainfall has also been much appreciated. If I had to choose a theme for April at MAEDC, it would certainly be education. The month started with a trip to Tennessee for the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference, where I was honored to receive the Robert M. Ady Professional Development Scholarship. This conference is the largest gathering of professional site selection consultants in the world, making it a prime opportunity for professional development and networking for the 500 economic development professionals in attendance. I had the chance to meet amazing site selectors and economic developers, striving to bring MAEDC to the forefront of their minds when it comes to site selection.
In mid-April, I visited Charlie Gibbs, MATC Director, and Cristina Wright, MPS Superintendent, who gave me a tour of the Moberly Area Technical Center (MATC), highlighting the training our future workforce is receiving. Mr. Gibbs mentioned that enrollment in the trade programs has been increasing, with nearly 100 more students enrolling over the last two years. MATC serves approximately 531 students daily from 12 different schools. This center is truly an asset to our region, and I'm excited to see the growth of their programs that support our local employers.
I ended the month at the Heartland Economic Development Course in Kansas City, Missouri. At this course, we received fundamental economic development training on various topics, from business retention and expansion to workforce development, real estate development, entrepreneurship, recruitment, finance, ethics, and managing economic development organizations. We had the opportunity to tour the Lee's Summit Community Improvement District (CID) and the Ennovation Center, a business development incubator spanning over 28,000 square feet, in Independence, Missouri.
We celebrated Administrative Professionals Day on April 24th, and I must say that our office manager, Tina, does an excellent job of keeping everything running smoothly at MAEDC. I am extremely grateful for all of her hard work and dedication that keeps MAEDC moving forward.
As we look ahead to May, we have several exciting events planned. I will be heading to Kansas City this week for the Missouri Economic Development Council’s (MEDC) Insight Missouri conference. We will also host another round of Manufacturer/Workforce Roundtables on Monday, May 6th, followed by a free Lunch & Learn on Selling to the Government presented by Gary Alexander of the US Small Business Administration. Later in the month, we will host a Howard County Government Entities Roundtable and the MEDC District 4 semi-annual meetup, which will be held at Central Methodist University.
I am looking forward to another eventful month. Please feel free to reach out anytime. I look forward to serving our business community and wish you all a wonderful May.
Sincerely,
Kaylee J. Paffrath, MBA
President/CEO
Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation
Ph: 660-263-8811
Heartland Economic Development Course Provides Intensive Professional Development
Kaylee Paffrath of Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation was one of 92 economic development professionals to attend the Heartland Economic Development Course (HEDC) April 23-26, 2024 in Blue Springs, Missouri. Heartland attendees receive fundamental economic development training on topics ranging from business, retention and expansion, workforce development, real estate development, and entrepreneurship to recruitment, finance, ethics, and managing economic development organizations.
The 2024 HEDC class included representatives from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Florida, trained by nationally recognized faculty from within the profession of economic development. HEDC is coordinated by the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa and is accredited by the International Economic Development Council.
“Heartland is a dynamic week-long training course that offers intensive training in economic development strategies provided by experienced faculty. HEDC is not just a course, it’s a transformative experience designed to equip professionals with practical skills and knowledge needed to drive economic development in their communities.” says Lisa Franklin, HEDC Board Chair.
The Heartland Economic Development Course is a partnership of the Kansas Economic Development Alliance, Professional Developers of Iowa, Missouri Economic Development Council, Nebraska Economic Developers Association, Select Oklahoma, and the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
Moberly Area Technical Center: A Hub for Career and Technical Education
The Moberly Area Technical Center (MATC) has witnessed a remarkable surge in student enrollment, indicating a growing interest in career and technical education (CTE). With a curriculum designed to prepare students for a range of trades and technical professions, MATC offers a unique blend of academics and hands-on training. The focus on practical skills, along with a comprehensive academic foundation, equips students with the knowledge and experience needed to pursue various career paths.
Programs and Courses at MATC
MATC provides an array of programs in fields such as agriculture, business, health sciences, family consumer sciences, skilled technical sciences, and marketing and cooperative education. The courses are designed to cater to the diverse interests of students, offering them a chance to explore career paths that align with their skills and passions.
MATC offers a variety of programs, including:
Marketing
Computer Application
Graphic Design
Accounting
Personal Finance
Computer Information Technology
Architectural Engineering and Drafting
Welding
Machine Tools
Building Trades
Auto Mechanics
Collision Repair
AG Woods
Turf and Landscape Management
Medical Technology
These programs provide students with the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and develop skills in their chosen fields, preparing them for the workforce or further education.
Collaboration with Local Schools and Enrollment Growth
MATC collaborates with 12 schools within the MAEDC region. These schools include NCRS, Fayette, Glasgow, Salisbury, Westran, Higbee, Harrisburg, Sturgeon, Hallsville, Moberly, Madison, and Cairo. Each day, 531 students attend MATC, with shop classes typically spanning 2- or 3-hour blocks. The average class size for shop classes is 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon, allowing for a more personalized learning experience.
Enrollment numbers at MATC have seen significant growth over the past few years, indicating a rising demand for CTE programs:
2021-2022: 275 students signed up for Career Tech classes
2022-2023: 305 students enrolled
2023-2024: 370 students enrolled
These figures highlight the growing popularity of MATC's programs and the increasing recognition of the value of CTE in preparing students for successful careers.
The Moberly Area Technical Center's success in attracting more students to its career and technical education programs underscores the importance of hands-on training and practical skills in today's job market. With its diverse range of programs and collaboration with local schools, MATC is providing students with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and prepare for their future careers. The continued growth in enrollment reflects a positive trend towards embracing CTE and the benefits it offers to students and the broader community.
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
Public Policy Updates
There are only three weeks remaining in the 2024 legislative session. As we enter the final stretch, the Senate floor is the largest chokepoint for legislation. This week the Senate spent a limited amount of time on the floor so that the Appropriations Committee could mark up the proposed FY 2025 budget bills. Meanwhile, the House spent this week advancing some of the highest profile bills of the year: defunding Planned Parenthood, Kansas City landfill, and initiative petition reform.
KWIXLand Business Spotlight: Kaylee Paffrath, President/CEO of MAEDC
April's KWIXLand Business Spotlight features MAEDC's own, Kaylee Paffrath, President/CEO. Give it a listen as she visits with Brad Boyer regarding her recent trip to the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference, discusses the site selection process, and several other initiatives going on over at MAEDC.
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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