Nodaway County Economic Development

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Former Energizer Building Listed for Sale

Written on February 25, 2014 at 12:00 am, by

KANSAS CITY, MO – February 18, 2014—The former Energizer Building in Maryville, Missouri has been listed for sale. Senior Vice Presidents, Douglas Hedrick and Cameron Duff of Colliers International | Kansas City will represent the seller, Energizer Battery Manufacturing, Inc. The 486,000 square foot manufacturing plant is located at 3131 E 1st Street in Maryville. The property is located in a prime non-unionized trade area. With a lack of competing industrial buildings of similar size available in the region, the property provides a unique acquisition opportunity. The surrounding area has excellent access to a skilled and experienced workforce. Notable property features include a 6,000 gallon per batch wastewater treatment system, a heavy redundant power system, and a climate controlled production area. “The building has been well maintained and portrays a corporate image with existing infrastructure and improvements in place for a manufacturing user,” said Duff. “This is a rare opportunity, as buildings of this size and specific manufacturing use do not trade every day in the regional market,” added Hedrick. About Colliers International Colliers International is the third-largest commercial real estate services company in the world, with over 12,300 professionals operating out of more than 520 offices in 62 countries. A subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), it focuses on accelerating success for its clients by seamlessly providing a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide, including global corporate solutions, brokerage, property and asset management, hotel investment sales and consulting, valuation, consulting and appraisal services, mortgage banking and research. Commercial Property Executive and Multi-Housing News magazines ranked Colliers International the top U.S. real estate company. The latest annual survey by the Lipsey Company ranked Colliers International as the second-most recognized commercial real estate firm in the world.

Northwest CIE designated as Missouri Innovation Center

Written on January 31, 2014 at 12:00 am, by

Northwest Missouri State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has been designated as a Missouri Innovation Center by the Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC). The Missouri Innovation Center program is a major statewide resource for commercializing Missouri innovations. The Innovation Center program, which includes nine other centers throughout the state, provides assistance to entrepreneurs and early-stage, technology-based business ventures. Innovation centers work closely with their associated universities and are targeted to develop high-growth advanced technology companies. Innovation centers provide access to specialized entrepreneurial and small business support services critical to the growth of high-tech startups including access to capital, technical and business experts, and, in some cases, specialized facilities. The designation is on a provisional basis through June 2014. At that time, the MTC board will consider granting full designation to Northwest’s CIE for fiscal year 2015. Full designation is based on goals set by economic development indicators, including capital investment and job creation. CIE Director Larry Lee said Northwest has worked closely with several of the current Missouri Innovation Centers and the designation will help it align assets and create a seamless process for Missouri entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in need of assistance. “It is a distinct honor to have the designation of Missouri Innovation Center at Northwest’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” Lee said. “I look forward to working with MTC to stimulate technology entrepreneurship in northwest Missouri.” The CIE, located on the north edge of the Northwest campus, is a mixed-use incubator with emphasis on technology-based, start-up companies. It also provides assistance to existing small businesses and encourages development of new small businesses. The 46,679 square-foot facility includes three lab analysis research areas, a shared scientific instrument room and 9,000 square feet of tenant office space. The academic wing contains more than 16,000 square feet of highly specialized teaching and research labs and offices. For more information about opportunities to accelerate the success of your high-growth business or to use the services of the CIE’s contract analysis lab, visit www.nwmissouri.edu/cie/. For more information, please contact: Mark Hornickel, Media Relations Specialist mhorn@nwmissouri.edu | 660.562.1704 | Fax: 660.562.1900 Northwest Missouri State University 215 Administration Building | 800 University Drive | Maryville, MO 64468

Maryville native hired as NCED Economic Developer

Written on December 23, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

The Nodaway County Economic Development (NCED) Board announced Maryville native Josh McKim has accepted an offer to serve as economic development director. McKim will begin full-time January 6, 2014. McKim comes to NCED with a background in local government, recently serving as executive director of economic development for the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Stillwater, OK. Prior to that, McKim spent three years as the acting marketing manager for the Oklahoma Technology and Research Park. In both instances, McKim led coordinated efforts to support the business community with expansions, relocations and establishing new markets through the use of federal, state and local resources. McKim grew up in Maryville, attending Northwest Missouri State University, graduating with a bachelor of arts in 2000 and receiving his master of science from Oklahoma State University in 2004. “We are thrilled to have McKim join our team,” says Beth Hawkins, NCED chairman. “His passion for our communities combined with his business, industry and marketing skills are a great fit for marketing our county and for serving as a liaison to our industry and business partners.” McKim will replace Lee Langerock, who took a development position with the Independence Economic Development Council, Independence.

Junior Golf Course Committee secures donation from Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation

Written on December 12, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

On Tuesday, December 3rd the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation announced their decision to become a partner in the Tom Watson Junior Golf Course at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. This partnership will provide the Junior Golf Course Committee at Mozingo Lake with discounted resources for course construction to include course construction contractors, irrigation design specialists, irrigation control companies, computer software technologies and many other golf industry partners with discounted fees. In addition, The Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation will be providing a gift of $250,000 toward the construction of the Tom Watson Junior Golf Course as a part of its Links Across America initiative. The Wadsworth Foundation initiative, “Links Across America” was established to create feeder short courses to provide the opportunity to get young people, families, adult beginners and individuals with disabilities from all ethnic and economic backgrounds playing the game of golf. Links Across America was designed to replicate the model that Andrew Carnegie applied to the establishment of libraries. Carnegie believed that literacy was essential to a strong nation and he built libraries throughout the United States. In a sense, Golf Courses are an important classroom, especially for our young people. This significant contribution moves the Tom Watson Junior Course Committee one step closer to the established goal of $521,000, which is the estimated cost of construction of the Junior Course at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. This donation, along with local charitable contributions has brought the total raised at this point to approximately $415,000. The Junior Course Committee is optimistic that course construction may begin as early as 2014 with a projected completion sometime in 2015. Tom Watson’s unique design of the Junior Course at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park will include 9 holes with a course length of approximately 1600 yards. The course routing will include a variety of par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. In addition, The Watson Design Group has included a short-game pitch and putt practice area within the confines of the course. The Junior Course will be located on a tract of land just north of the Mozingo Golf Course Club house and east of hole #10. Additional interested parties may participate by sending their tax-deductible donation to: Nodaway County Economic Development The Junior Course at Mozingo Lake 423 North Market Maryville, Missouri 64468

Gov. Nixon issues statement on Missouri’s ranking as one of the most business-friendly tax climates in the nation

Written on October 16, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today issued the following statement on the release of the Tax Foundation’s 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index, which found that Missouri has the 7th most favorable corporate tax structure in the nation.  The Tax Foundation ranked Missouri’s overall business tax climate as 16th in the nation, better than all but one of Missouri’s eight neighboring states. “This independent report reaffirms Missouri’s status as a low-tax state with a stable and competitive climate for businesses to grow and invest,” Gov. Nixon said. “As Governor, I have worked to enhance our nationally-recognized business climate by cutting taxes in targeted, fiscally responsible ways and by making strategic investments in education and workforce training.  Today, it is clear that these proven, fiscally responsible strategies are paying off for Missouri families and businesses.  I look forward to continuing to work with legislators on common sense policies that will keep Missouri’s economy moving forward.” A link to the report is available here.   http://taxfoundation.org/article/2014-state-business-tax-climate-index

Tom Watson To Design Kids Course in NW Missouri

Written on October 8, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

By Torleif Sorenson on 10/8/13 – See more at: www.oobgolf.com/content/fore+play/making+tracks/1-7298-Tom_Watson_To_Design_Kids_Course_in_NW_Missouri.html#sthash.dRiUsblr.dpuf  Maryville, Missouri is a town of about 12,000 residents roughly two hours northeast of the Kansas City area and is home to Northwest Missouri State University. Some hoidy-toidy big city-types will probably never go there. Eight-time major champion Tom Watson has — and for good reason. Last week, the Kansas City native and his chief golf course architect Bob Gibbons were surveying some rolling prairie next to Maryville’s Mozingo Lake Golf Course, plotting land for a kid-friendly, 9-hole golf course. In making this track, Watson, Gibbons, and a local dentist named Bruce Twaddle want no heroic, U.S. Open-style holes. Watson explained the concept to St. Joseph News-Press reporter Bryce Mereness: “This course is designed for beginners, for kids or anybody, really, to play the game where you aren’t forced to play 400-yard par-4s or 500-yard par-5s, or 180-yard par-3s — things that are manageable for beginning golfers. “That’s the whole idea for this, to make it fun for them and not too long, where they can hit a shot and get rewarded for it.” Twaddle was in Scotland in 2011 on a golf vacation when a local caddie pointed to a short, kid-friendly layout (usually known over there as an “academy course”) — and a humorous sign that made Twaddle do a double-take when he saw it: “They had a sign there that said, ‘No adults allowed unless under the direct supervision of a child.’ That’s when the light went off [sic]. Everyone I related that story to, it made sense. “It’s an easy sell because we have the land, we have the resources to do this, and we have the people in the community who believe in young children and want to help develop them.” Twaddle was born and raised in Maryville, earned his D.D.S. at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and moved back home to practice dentistry. Twaddle has been spearheading the fundraising, which has brought in $25,000 thus far, with additional commitments of $100,000. The estimated final cost is around $550,000. And if things go as some people hope, some of those kids using this 9-hole academy layout may eventually play NCAA Division II golf next door at Mozingo Lake for the local university. Currently, there is only a Northwest Missouri State Bearcats women’s golf team. When the course is complete and opened in 2015 (as anticipated), this writer may just have to detour off Interstate 35 just to visit this course and see how it turned out! Contributions to the fundraising are being handled by the Nodaway County Economic Development Corporation, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. If you wish to pitch in with a contribution of your own, you can send a check to: Nodaway County Economic Development PO Box 456 Maryville MO 64468-0456 Contributors sending a check should write “Mozingo Lake Junior Golf Course” in the memo line, so that contributions get routed to the correct account. – See more at: http://www.oobgolf.com/content/fore+play/making+tracks/1-7298-Tom_Watson_To_Design_Kids_Course_in_NW_Missouri.html#sthash.dRiUsblr.dpuf  

Golf Legend Sees Future for Local Youth Golf Course

Written on October 4, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

Maryville Daily Forum By Staff Report Posted Oct. 4, 2013 @ 7:52 am A group of local golf enthusiasts seeking to create a nine-hole youth course at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park have received a big vote of confidence from one of the game’s all-time masters — Tom Watson. A native of the Kansas City area, where he still lives, Watson ranked as one of the best players in the world during the 1970s and ’80s, winning eight major championships and heading the PGA Tour money list five times. The fairway legend visited city-owned Mozingo Lake Golf Course this week to walk the site of the proposed youth course, which his company has been asked to design. If built, the course would occupy roughly 30 acres of open ground northeast of the Mozingo Lake Golf Course clubhouse. Dr. Bruce Twaddle, a Maryville dentist who is leading efforts to establish the youth course, said the extent of involvement by Tom Watson Design has yet to be determined, but that Watson himself left Maryville impressed. “To provide a place for young people from all around the surrounding community here to come learn the game and have fun at it, that’s a tribute to Bruce Twaddle and the people of Maryville to make this happen,” Watson said in an exclusive interview taped during his visit. “Great ideas start with a lot of people scratching their heads. ‘Well that’s a good idea, but how can we make it work?’ Well, right now, I think the train is starting to roll pretty fast. Jump on board because it’s going to work.” The effort to create a youth course at Mozingo began several months ago after Twaddle and others began discussions with The First Tee, a “youth development organization” that seeks to put golf clubs into the hands of children and teenagers. Twaddle said Thursday those talks have reached the point where The First Tee’s Kansas City chapter is expected to endorse the Mozingo initiative. The central issue now, he said, is money. Cost of building a youth course at Mozingo and creating a sustainable youth golf program to serve the Maryville region is estimated at $550,000 said Twaddle, who added that a not-yet-named foundation has agreed to donate $25,000 outright and to provide an additional $75,000 match providing the same amount of cash can be raised locally. So the immediate goal, Twaddle said, is to have $175,000 in hand for the youth course before the end of the year. He said Watson’s warm endorsement should serve as a major boost as the fund drive continues at both the individual and corporate levels. During the Maryville interview, Watson said he was impressed both by Mozingo’s physical attributes and the community’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people. “It’s great to have a nice piece of land, such as this land right here at Mozingo Lake,” Watson said. “It has the rolls to it, it has natural holes set up where you don’t have to do much moving of the earth to make a golf course here. “… (But) the defining factor is the people behind the project to make it work. This community has gravitated toward this project. The way the people are looking at this project it’s very important for this community, and they’re going to get it done. “That’s the most important factor of a project like this. It’s not the lay of the land, it’s not the golf course, it’s the people behind it who will then be the coaches for the kids to get these kids started at the game.”

Student Body tries new store on for size

Written on September 9, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

By Tony Brown  Posted Sep. 6, 2013 @ 8:02 am Maryville Daily Forum The Student Body, a specialty clothing, embroidery and screen printing business located for 21 years at 202 E. Third Street, has left the courthouse square for much roomier quarters a few blocks to the west on Fourth Street. Owners Jim and Amy Goecken founded the Student Body in 1992 shortly after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University. Jim grew up in a small town in Iowa and Amy is a native of Omaha, Neb. Like more than a few Bearcat couples, they decided Maryville was too nice a town to leave after completing their degrees and decided to put down roots. Now those roots have blossomed into a thriving enterprise that has simply outgrown the cramped brick storefront which housed the business for the past two decades. Jim Goecken said the new store, which has served variously over the years as a gas station, coffee shop and Baskin Robbins ice cream franchise, offers 4,500 square feet of retail floor space, compared to 2,500 square feet at the old location. The embroidery and screen printing production areas will expand significantly as well. The couple spent most of Wednesday evening assembling fixtures and hauling merchandise down the hill to the Fourth Street location and were to begin retail sales there today. For the time being, the production part of the business will remain on the square until the remodel is complete. Goecken said the couple had been considering a move for some time, and at first wondered if the best option would be to lease space somewhere along the South Main corridor, which has replaced the square as Maryville’s primary retail district. But after thinking it through, he said, staying close to downtown emerged as the best choice. For one thing, a big chunk of the Student Body’s business comes from students and staff at Northwest Missouri State University, which is within easy walking distance of the new location. Also, downtown has been going through a bit of a revival in recent years, having attracted two new restaurants along with several retail start-ups. “It’s nice to see other businesses investing in this area and not just moving south,” Goecken said. In addition, a proposed new streetscape comprising new sidewalks, lighting and landscaping is in the works for West Fourth Street, and the Student Body is poised to become an anchor location along a corridor that stylistically links downtown with the campus. This kind of public/private synergy has been a longtime goal for both the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce and Nodaway County Economic Development, the latter agency having helped the Goeckens secure a $20,000 low-interest loan for storefront improvements and new signage. Jim Goecken said such programs, which have already benefitted other businesses on or near the square, constitute a big plus. “I think it makes businesses want to come down here,” he said. As for his store’s specific location, Goecken said the extra room, added parking and proximity to Northwest should prove to be “a must” for a business that, depending on the season, sells between 8,000 and 10,000 shirts a month, along with all manner of trademarked sports clothing, trophies and specialty items. “We’re expecting big things from this location,” he said. Read more: http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/article/20130906/NEWS/130909290#ixzz2ePRJeZ6o

Maryville, Missouri Endorses New 50-Bed Assisted

Written on August 20, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

St. Louis based ClearPath Senior Holdings, LLC (www.clearpathsenior.com) announces the construction of an assisted living facility in Maryville, Missouri. The facility will be comprised of approximately 37,000 square feet and consist of 46 units (50 beds). The community will be located on Icon Road just south of West First Street and will employ approximately 40 people. The City of Maryville has shown a great amount of support for ClearPath Senior Holdings and their proposed project. The new assisted living facility will not only create jobs in the community, but will meet the demand for the care services this facility will provide. Preliminary building designs are completed, and the ground breaking is projected for Fall 2013, with resident occupancy in Fall 2014. The $6,000,000 project will consist of a single story structure that features 46 studio, one?bedroom, and two?bedroom units. Amenities provided will include kitchen, dining, private dining, café, living room, rehabilitation room, salon, and activity spaces. Services provided will consist of assisted living and memory care. “It is all about the people we are privileged to care for, their families and our dedicated caretakers. Giving people an option and choice to live as independently as possible improves the quality of life for those involved, ”  said Jim Eisenhart, ClearPath Senior Holdings Principal. “The city of Maryville will be the perfect place to accomplish this goal. Individuals who live in the surrounding area want to stay in the neighborhood they know and love.” “ClearPath Senior Holdings understands the importance of bringing a community’s culture into their development practices to provide a high?quality, welcoming, home?style environment which meets the needs of both the resident and the community,” states Lee Langerock, Nodaway County Economic Development. “We look forward to their development.” ClearPath Senior Holdings, LLC is a privately held senior living investment and development company located in St. Louis, Missouri. ClearPath’s business initiatives center on creating value for its stakeholders through the development and acquisition of seniors housing facilities. ClearPath strives to create lasting value for their investors, the companies in which they invest, and the communities they serve. Further information on ClearPath Senior Holdings, LLC can be found at www.clearpathsenior.com.

Maryville Chamber Selects New Executive

Written on August 16, 2013 at 12:00 am, by

Nodaway News Leader August 15, 2013 The Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce has announced that Melanie Robinson-Smith has been chosen as executive director. “We are excited to introduce Melanie to our community,” Chamber President Audra Bradley said. “Under her leadership, we know our chamber members will take full advantage of her years of experience in public administration, project management and large-event planning, to help their businesses succeed and grow in our community.” Robinson-Smith was chosen after an extensive search conducted by a joint executive committee. She most recently served as assistant city manager for the City of Kirksville, where she directed economic development activities for the city, focusing on retail and service recruitment. She managed 12 department budgets totaling $3.5 million in annual expenses, acted on behalf of the city manager when needed and served on several committees for the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce. Her past job experience also includes marketing and event planning with the Missouri Lottery and extensive work in parks and recreation management. In Kirksville, she served as community services director during which she managed staff and year-round recreational programs and coordinated media relations and budget operations. Robinson-Smith also served as the special events coordinator for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks, helping with events such as the Katy Trail Ride and as a project officer for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism’s Outdoor Recreation Grants Program. In that position, she provided technical assistance to communities, helping city leaders through the design, grant-writing, program requirements and construction processes for developing new parks in their areas. “I am honored to be selected as the new executive director of the Greater Maryville Chamber of Commerce and look forward to meeting all of the members that make this a great organization.” said Robinson-Smith. “Maryville has been so welcoming to our family and I look forward to getting involved in all of the events and activities that make Maryville so unique.” Robinson-Smith takes the lead from former director Luke Reven, who recently resigned to relocate to the Philadelphia area. Originally from Sturgeon, Robinson-Smith earned a bachelor’s of science degree in parks, recreation and tourism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her husband, Michael Smith, is the head coach for Northwest Missouri State University’s women’s basketball team. The chamber will host a welcome reception to introduce Robinson-Smith to the community later this month.