Moberly Area Economic Development Region Grows Again

Moberly, MO – For the third time in as many years the area represented by the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation is growing.  Early this year the economic development group announced the addition of the City of Boonville and Cooper County in Missouri to their partnership.  Now the group dedicated to developing business opportunities for their community partners is adding Monroe County and the City of Monroe City to the unique partnership.

“This expansion is much more than just adding geographical territory to our region,” said Corey Mehaffy, President of Moberly Area Economic Development Corp.  “What this means is that other influential community and business leaders in our region understand the value of collaboration.”

The not-for-profit organization that has two full time professionally trained economic developers and administrative staff provides rural economic development services in a way that has not been achieved in the State of Missouri previously.  “Until now the communities that we represent competed with each other to attack new business investment or they had no real organized effort,” said Mehaffy.  “Now they are working together for the greater good of everyone involved.”

In the past communities in the area would work for the attention of business decision makers and consultants that advise business leaders, each trying to state their individual case as to why they should be the place for investment.  With the expanded partnership the communities involved are pooling their assets and resources for an improved presentation to those decision makers.

“The expansion of this partnership strengthens our efforts to provide better economic opportunity for all the residents of North Central Missouri,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors Jerry Jeffery.  “This aides us in reaching out to the business community and letting them know that this area truly is a great place to live and do business.”

The newly expanded four county region located in the central portion of Missouri allows for easy distribution of product manufactured in the area to major markets throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.  “For those needing location, the MAEDC region is the place to be,” said Mehaffy.

Over the past three years the group estimates that it has attracted over $180,000,000 of new investment into the area that is projected to create nearly 1,0000 new jobs when those projects are completed.  This was done during a time in which most areas of the United States were loosing jobs.

Moberly Area Economic Development Corp. has most recently received accolades for its work to bring international investment to the area creating jobs for Missourians when in years past that trend was to send investment and jobs oversees. Both, Mamtek US, a Chinese based food ingredient manufacturer and Vest-Fiber a Danish company have chosen to establish their first North American operations in the Moberly region.

“The success that we have had in the recent past can be directly attributed to the folks that live and work in this area,” said David Gaines, Vice-President.  “What business from the outside sees when they look into our area is ‘old fashioned values” related to work ethic and family. This is of great importance to the business community.”

Although the attraction of new business to the region is what has given the organization national and international attention the group also works with local business owners.

“We are here to service the local business owner who has already made a commitment to this area as well,” said Mehaffy.  “According to most theory of economic development, more new jobs are actually created by companies that want to expand, and are looking for a little guidance.  If someone is thinking of expanding their current business or staring a business from scratch, we are here to assist them as well.”

Last September representatives of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corp. were present in rural Chariton County when Hampton Alternative Energy had its initial ground breaking ceremony.  “We were very supportive of this local group of business leaders that created the first of its kind animal waste to renewable electricity project in the State of Missouri,” said Mehaffy.  “They took a problem of what to do with the waste and turned it into generating electricity that goes out to the electrical power grid”.

The expansion comes as a time when the economy is beginning to show good signs of starting to improve locally.  “This is a good time to be looking into the future and seeing ways in which we can achieve our goal of providing opportunities right here in North Central Missouri,” said Mehaffy.