Mt. Vernon lines up for growth

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Former DED official Jane Hood named town's first economic development director|ret||ret||tab|

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by Eric Olson|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Reporter|ret||ret||tab|

eolson@sbj.net|ret||ret||tab|

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When E.F. Marsh Engineering Company needed a new home for its Monett production plant in 2001, the city of Mt. Vernon stepped up. Through a deal with Mt. Vernon officials, the city's nonprofit Economic Development Corporation acquired 15 acres in the town's Northwest Industrial Park and donated the land to Marsh Engineering.|ret||ret||tab|

The result was a new $2.3 million plant and more than 40 jobs.|ret||ret||tab|

Economic Development Corporation success stories have been few and far between, according to Bill Lee of First National Bank in Mt. Vernon, as the community has been developing business "out of our hip pockets." |ret||ret||tab|

Lee is the new president of Mt. Vernon's Economic Development Corporation, and hopes the EDC will lead a business and industry resurgence in the southwest Missouri town of 4,167 people and approximately 200 businesses.|ret||ret||tab|

The plan combines resources of the EDC, city of Mt. Vernon, Lawrence County, Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Community Betterment Council, and puts former Missouri Department of Economic Development Project Manager Jane Hood front and center. |ret||ret||tab|

Hood ran the Springfield Regional DED office for seven years before the office closed and she was transferred to Jefferson City during statewide budget cuts in spring 2002. Hood retired from her DED post Jan. 30, but she signed a contract Feb. 10 to work three days a week as Mt. Vernon's director of economic development. She begins Feb. 17.|ret||ret||tab|

"(Hood) brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Mt. Vernon, which we have not had in the past," Lee said. "She knows how to lure businesses; she knows how to get funding for them. She also knows how to help existing businesses grow and improve. And that will be her job here."|ret||ret||tab|

Hood reports to the EDC Board of Directors and will set up office in Mt. Vernon's City Hall, operating as Hood Economic Development Services LLC. Her $35,000 salary, which includes the office space, is paid by the EDC, city and chamber. She is the EDC's first paid staff member.|ret||ret||tab|

Hood said yearlong recruitment efforts by Lee, Mt. Vernon Mayor Bob Walster and businessman Scott George lured her to Mt. Vernon. She brings 18 years of experience with the state DED, where she learned grant, finance, tax credit and job training programs. She also has cultivated numerous statewide and federal contacts.|ret||ret||tab|

Even from Jefferson City, Hood has kept a close eye on business conditions in southwest Missouri, where she has her roots Hood attended high school in Miller. And she's noticed that Mt. Vernon has not matched the growth of nearby communities, namely Aurora and Monett.|ret||ret||tab|

"Mt. Vernon is prime for some of that growth," Hood said. "I will be bringing additional jobs and investment into Mt. Vernon and, of course, retain the ones they have."|ret||ret||tab|

Business and industry retention is Hood's No. 1 priority. Her job is "to touch base with the local folks and let them know we're here to help," Lee said.|ret||ret||tab|

Hood views new retail and restaurant opportunities as her initial recruitment focuses. Mt. Vernon has one grocery store, does not have a new car dealer, and restaurant choices are primarily fast food, she said.|ret||ret||tab|

Mt. Vernon City Administrator Erika Glock, who also is EDC secretary, said the city is excited about Hood's potential. "The community has been on the edge of growth for so long," Glock said.|ret||ret||tab|

City officials have yet another job for Hood: eliminating vacant properties. Glock said about six vacancies exist, totaling approximately 150,000 square feet including the 85,000-square-foot former Country Flame plant and the 27,000-square-foot former Food Fair grocery store. The city also is posting such vacancies on the LocationOne Information System Web site an online database of vacant buildings and commercial sites in hopes of attracting business occupants, Glock said. |ret||ret||tab|

A search at www.locationone.com for vacant buildings in the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership area returns 39 records, the largest of which is the 306,000-square-foot former Fasco plant in Ozark.|ret||ret||tab|

Other economic activity of the EDC includes a recent acquisition of 10.5 acres for commercial development south of Interstate 44, and the upcoming sale of the vacant 14,400-square-foot former Betty Dawn Uniform Building at 115 W. Dallas. EDC also was responsible for the 80-acre acquisition that is Mt. Vernon's Northwest Industrial Park, home to Marsh Engineering, Tuthill Transport, Cutting Edge Machines, T&C Stainless, Schwan's Sales and the Mt. Vernon Treatment Center. In all, there are 10 businesses, employing a total of about 200, Glock said.|ret||ret||tab|

Support for the new initiative is not lacking. Officials with the city, county, chamber, Community Betterment Council and EDC are all involved, and represented on the EDC board.|ret||ret||tab|

"It is the first time in Mt. Vernon history that all five organizations have come together to work for a common cause such as this," Lee said.|ret||ret||tab|

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