Back To Business In 2021 . . . Washington County Industrial Development Authority 2020 Project Summary + by Krista Snyder, I.D.A. Executive Director

Beginning the year in 2020 was no different than any other year. Until March, and we were hit head-on with the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses shut down for weeks, the economy was in a tailspin, no one knew what was next and we still don’t. The uncertainty and the unknown created another pandemic, and the fear of losing everything was becoming surreal. Some manufactures were forced to lay off because of their suppliers being shut down and goods could not be received.

Remarkably, with the people being out of work due to layoffs and illness, the stimulus packages prompted a sense of unexplanatory boost to the local economy. Ending 2020, the Economic Development Sales Tax collected was up nearly 3% from 2019. The Washington County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) is supported by a 1⁄2 cent sales tax that has passed consecutively since 1993, and we are very grateful. The purpose of this tax allows the IDA to promote and drive industry to Washington County.

The improvements being made in the industrial park has allowed substantial growth and job creation for the county over the past few years. And we have been successful, every job created boosts the local economy. How the sales tax works – 1⁄2 of 1 cent is a charged sales tax that everyone pays when purchasing goods in Washington County. This means anyone from another county or state that passes through and purchases here, they are also charged this tax.

To put into perspective, when you travel and purchase souvenirs, gas, food etc., you will pay a sales tax. The benefit of this tax to be collected is to allow the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to develop and grow the area and provide a shovel ready site for manufacturing and industry companies to plant here and provide viable jobs for Washington County residents far and wide.

Early in 2019, the Board of Directors, myself, and the staff of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) conducted a series of workshops to develop a strategic plan to promote the economic prosperity of Washington County and to increase the overall quality of life. Those efforts enabled the IDA to pinpoint the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis) we endeavor as a county to develop goals and objectives, action items and performance measures to set as a guide to help grow the local economics. Taking into consideration, this was one year before the pandemic and implementation was to begin January 1, 2020. To take advantage of the strengths, and opportunities to make changes on the weaknesses and threats, the IDA launched a marketing campaign to introduce Washington County to the nation. We partnered with an Economic Development Marketing firm from Indiana. Brand Acceleration specializes in making connections with over 1800 industries throughout the nation to assist us with exposing Washington County as a good place to do business, live and grow their fortune. E-marketing with email blasts along with brochures for tradeshows (virtual) are set to be implemented by the end of the first quarter 2021. We are overly optimistic to gain a few leads from this campaign as the number 1 objective is to create job opportunities locally.

The Industrial Park projects may have been undetected by the public other than seeing general maintenance of grass being cut and trees being removed. To be compliant with Missouri’s Certified Sites program, the new regulations resulted in clearing land for shovel ready sites. We obtained the designation as a shovel ready site in 2013 and in 2019 the rules for renewal were updated. In order to move forward with growth, the board of directors authorized the clearing for approximately 60 acres in the industrial park. The clearing project was awarded to a local contractor, SKJ Excavating. Other than the requirements by the state, the purpose is to promote attraction and be competitive with other shovel ready sites not only across the state but across the nation. Logistically, we are where we are, that we cannot change, so we must implement additional efforts to get Washington County some exposure at this state level recognition.

We finished out the 30,000 sq. ft. spec building located at 10323 Industrial Park Drive when Midwest Textiles approached us early in 2020 requesting additional space. This project consisted of finishing the concrete floor, installing heaters, a sprinkler system, additional lighting, and restrooms. This project was awarded to a local contractor, JV Construction. The completion of this project increased Midwest’s employee count creating 8 new jobs.

Partnering with the City of Potosi, we applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to finish Ameren Drive by extending the road to Industrial Park Drive and pave Development Drive in front of Midwest Textiles. This grant was awarded in October 2020 in the amount to $240,000 to put toward the expenses on the development for these 2 streets in the Industrial Park. This project is tentatively scheduled to start mid-year. City of Potosi only sponsored the application, all funds will be derived from the Economic Development Fund. Most recent, we collaborated with the county’s first district commissioner Doug Short and Presiding Commissioner Dave Sansegraw to open a temporary passage at the end of Ameren Drive to Industrial Park drive to alleviate traffic for the COVID-19 clinics hosted by the Washington County Ambulance District, Health Department, Washington County Memorial Hospital, and the National Guard. This worked well for the purpose and will become a permanent street after construction.

We welcomed LaRue Artesian Spring Water Company as the newest tenant in 2019 with operations full force in 2020. This was a private transaction. The IDA’s involvement was to secure a boundary buffer and close the service road to access their property off Hwy O. This was to prevent trespassing through a restricted area.

“LaRue Artesian Spring Water provides affordable, high quality products for the home, office, or anywhere else! We make sure our products are delivered to you personally because we believe water and people have something in common – they can make the world a better place.” https://purelarue.com/

Webster Fabric located at 10366 Industrial Park Drive became tenants in the park in 2015 and is maintaining momentum during this pandemic. Webster Fabric division of the R. J. Liebe Athletic Lettering Company was established in 1977 and incorporated in Missouri. The Webster Fabric division patented the Cad-Cut Film for heat applied lettering. Webster Fabric also patented The Poly-Pro Twill, also known as Tackle Twill in the industry, which has been the sport garment industry’s standard of excellence for more than 35 years. https://www.websterfabric.com/

TNT Fabrication located at 10544 Industrial Park Drive is fabricating materials and detailed CNC machining. TNT Machining & Fabrication was founded in 2016 by ACME Constructors. ACME bought the operation in Mineral Point from the LaGesse family who had built the business for nearly 20 years. Instead of remaining the largest customer of the business, ACME decided to invest in the operations and equipment and improve the quality of the output by purchasing the business. The name "TNT" is a play on the, now common, recognition of the "ACME" name as made famous by the cartoons. TNT continues to grow its technology and lines of service, while providing the outstanding customer service to all existing and new customers. https://www.tntfab.com/

+ Future projects

Midwest Textiles and Supplies located at 10096 Development Drive, will be expanding operations yet again by increasing the existing building foot print with an additional 50,000 sq. ft. This expansion will be to the east of the building. Project went out for bid on March 2, 2021, with bid opening scheduled for March 26, 2021. This expansion will increase employment. Midwest Textiles & Supplies is an industry leader in quality quilting fabric and embroidery supplies for the wholesale market, with a your one-stop solution. Midwest distributes over 15 branded fabrics as well as its own quality fabric for the quilting industry. In addition, they offer a full range of embroidery threads, bobbins, backings, and accessories for the professional embroiderer. From fabric to thread to snips, Midwest has one of the largest in-stock inventories nationwide. https://www.midwest-textiles.com/

Representing the Washington County IDA for 12 years as the Executive Director, it has been a privilege but an uphill battle competing with areas across the region and the state. The current board of directors have been incredibly supportive and want to see our county grow just as anyone does. They serve as ambassadors to our community and welcome anyone to help us promoting our area. If you know of someone or have a lead, I encourage you drop me a line or give me a quick call. All ideas are welcome. As defined by Wikipedia; Economic Development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and objectives. We believe we have set those goals in motion. Economic development is an exceedingly difficult task, and we work extremely hard to promote to get leads to create opportunities for Washington County. Every dollar saved is a dollar earned and we look forward to a great 2021.

ksnyder@washingtoncomo.com

www.washingtoncomo.com

573/438-6196