An inventory of Moniteau County properties and buildings available, or "ready to become available" for new, relocating or expanding businesses is soon to begin according to information by MRED (Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council). The matter was discussed at the noon meeting of the organization at Bobbio's in Tipton. The inventory, to be conducted by MRED, had been discussed at the August meeting.
According to Mike Kelley, MRED chair person, there are several entities searching for suitable business locations in Moniteau County. In part, the attention is due to the central location with highway and railroad access as well as high-speed internet access.
Kelley expressed disappointment as he announced that MRED did not receive the USDA rural development grant for which application had been made. The grant proposal was for a gigabit broadband development opportunity. A new marketing plan is now being developed, with the goal of going forward as much as possible with the effort to take advantage of the high speed internet availability.
Business retention is very important, too. "It won't do any good to bring in new businesses through the front door when existing businesses are leaving via the back door," Kelley said.
The MRED website is being remade and modeled after more than a dozen of the best economic development websites available.
The Workforce Development Committee has scheduled ACT National Career Readiness Certificate testing. For information, contact Central Missouri Community Action Community Services Specialist Stefani Thompson at 573-796-3238.
MRED members were urged to spread the word about the organization, what it does and what it hopes to achieve. More economic development partners are needed.
The MRED October meeting time and place will be announced later.