The priorities for 2016 were presented to the Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council (MRED) Board of Directors at the annual meeting, held at Burgher Haus, California, on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Chairman Mike Kelley also listed the accomplishments for 2015.
Kelley, who took on the duties of Economic Developer after the person who previously worked in that position stepped down at the end of January, 2015, announced a half-dozen priorities.
Priorities for MRED to work on for 2016 are: • to continue the strong relationship with city and county officials, through information sharing and partnership opportunities.
• to continue the business retention program to encourage local businesses to grow.
• to develop marketing plan and market the area as a prime location for businesses needing to take advantage of gigabit technology, with assistance from a U.S.D.A grant.
• to continue the organization's partnerships with Mid-Missouri Regional Economic Development (MMRPC) and local Chambers of Commerce.
• to recruit a new industry / business to help bolster the local economy.
• to look for a good entrepreneurship program to start up, one which will encourage the development of local home-grown businesses.
The accomplishments listed for 2015 are in four categories to help the local economy and promote economic development in Moniteau County. Those categories are: Business Attraction, Business Retention, Business Expansion and Workforce Development.
• The purpose of Business Attraction is to be aware of new opportunities for businesses in the county and to seek those to bring to fill available space in the county area. During the past year, MRED submitted a proposal for an auto parts manufacturing firm through "Missouri Partnership." MRED also worked with three area businesses on possible expansion projects, revised the MRED website to promote the organization and communities, and established relationships with developers.
• The purpose of Business Retention is to keep the businesses currently in the county and, when they have needs, find ways to help them address those needs. The Retention Committee resumed making company visits in 2015 and worked with to promote the Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ) to help with future expansion and growth of the businesses and industries in the county.
• The purpose of Business Expansion is to focus on "industry clusters" which allows the county's business and industry environment opportunities to work together on projects and complimentary areas. In 2015, MRED assisted with the three businesses mentioned above to seek possible funding for their expansion efforts, made recommendations to other entities to address industry concerns, promoted MRED and encouraged industry leaders to participate in its activities and encouraged growth and existing opportunities for the current economic climate.
• The purpose of Workforce Development to to focus on developing those to fill existing job openings and help be prepared for job needs for the future. In the last year, MRED has worked on bringing Moniteau County into the group of those considered Missouri Work Ready Certified counties. In addressing a specific issue, MRED assisted in connecting Koechner Manufacturing with Missouri Works Training to help fund the training needed as the company increased its technology operations.
MRED also worked with other organizations and entities, including Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Committee (MMRPC), Missouri partnership and Central Missouri community Action (CMCA) to promote and take the county forward. There were also special projects, such as obtaining $800 from University of Missouri Extension to pay for the Emerging Workforce testing under the Work Ready program, and awarding a $30,000 grant by the national USDA, announced at the October meeting, with the goal of going forward as much as possible with the effort to take advantage of the high speed internet which has become available due to the installation of fiber optics by Co-Mo Connect.
It is planned for the February meeting to elect officers and to hear from a person who may possibly be utilized as a consultant.