No. 5 Formation of PIC and PIC West

Last edited 4:48 p.m., March 7, 2011

Partnership Industrial Center, a 360-acre master-planned industrial site between Interstate 44 and East Kearney Street, was created to spur economic development in Springfield.

The idea for PIC began when a study identified a need for industrial sites in the city. The Partnership for Economic Development was formed, comprising the city of Springfield, Greene County, City Utilities, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and The Springfield Finance & Development Corp.

The closing in 1991 of Springfield’s Zenith plant solidified plans to create the industrial park, with hopes of adding more jobs in the city.

By 1992, City Utilities acquired the land that now is home to PIC, and in January 1994, Contico International became the first company to commit to building there. In 2001, when PIC was 50 percent built out, a second industrial park, PIC West, was launched on 400 acres on West Kearney, adjacent to Interstate 44 and Springfield-Branson National Airport.

Together, the two industrial parks have led to the creation or retention of more than 3,100 jobs and nearly $300 million in capital investment. Nearly 30 companies call the industrial parks home, with 21 businesses, including Cintas Corp. and Jarden Plastic Solutions, at PIC and eight, including Northstar Battery and Stamina Products, at PIC West.

While PIC reached build-out in August 2006, only 125 acres have been developed or sold to date at PIC West. In addition to land, two 75,000-square-foot shell buildings are available at PIC West, where in February, a 51-acre site became the state’s second property to receive the certified site designation from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The designation program evaluates potential development sites based on factors such as availability of utilities, site access, environmental concerns, land use conformance and potential development costs in an effort to entice developers.

See the full list of pivotal points chosen by the Springfield Business Journal here.
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