Direction change for MRED, Ken Parrett to step down

A change in direction was begun for the Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council (MRED) at the regular meeting of the board of directors Wednesday, Jan. 14, at Nic Nac Cafe, California.

It was announced via email after the meeting that Ken Parrett will be stepping down as Economic Developer for MRED at the end of January. MRED Chairman Mike Kelley will take over the duties of Economic Developer until the organization is in a position to fill the position from outside.

Kelley was one of the founding members of the organization, which was organized in 2007. He may be reached at 573-353-7510.

MRED membership and support in the county are necessary for the success of the economic development organization, and it appears to have stalled. As such, it was determined a new direction was needed.

Old business discussed at the meeting included the progress on the MO Work Ready program, some test funding from University Extension and an expansion of a Tipton business.

The goals for the Mo Work Ready program have been met, and actually exceeded for both employer partners and the existing workforce. Emerging employees, on the other hand are a big concern as are the transitioning workforce.

A three-hour online test is necessary to earn the WorkReady Certificate. The testing is available through State Fair Community College, Sedalia, and career centers. It is necessary to convince the young emerging workers that the test is at least valuable, if not required. Recently an $800 grant has been received from University Extension to help with the cost of the testing for the certificate. Missouri only signed on to the Work Ready program two years ago, so the knowledge of the value of it and the growth of the program is really in the beginning stages.

The Bakery Equipment Company in Tipton is adding a 3,000 square foot expansion to handle the current business. The business is in the process of obtaining an adjacent empty building, but that process has stalled for the moment.

Parrett reported that membership retention and recruitment meetings were made in the last month. The following discussion concerned the need to make people more aware of the organization, its goals and achievements. With a goal of economic development in Moniteau County, MRED is an organization which can be contacted by those inquiring for availability of suitable locations for relocation or building in Moniteau County.

Greater awareness and an increased membership should increase the effectiveness of the MRED task of local economic development. One of the benefits of MRED is the ability to have assistance in feasibility studies.

It was announced that Cheri Tune of the Missouri Division of Workforce Development has been working with employees of Aerosonics, Inc.

It was also reported that the Mid-Missouri Regional Economic Development (MMRPC) is upgrading economic development strategy for the six counties it covers. This a year-long effort which is in the works, and the information needs to be put in the planning document.

The annual dinner meeting is being planned for Feb. 11, in Tipton.