By Janet Morales, Correspondent
Kaylee Paffrath recently spoke to members of the Huntsville Rotary Club introducing herself as the new director of business development at Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation. She replaces Randy Asbury who now serves as MAEDC president.
Paffrath, a native of Mexico, Mo., joined MAEDC in February. She has a BS degree and a masters degree in business administration from Columbia College. Her main area of study was business development so she is happy to share her expertise.
Paffrath explained that Moberly Economic Development serves Randolph and Howard counties. There are four main areas of focus for the organization: business retention and expansion, new business attraction, entrepreneurial development and community development.
Paffrath told the group that 80 percent of new jobs and capital investment come from existing companies,
“Business retention is the biggest part of what we do,” she said. “We work with existing businesses to provide the tools they might need to complete their picture.” They can help companies with issues and prevent them from relocating to a new community.
Randolph County ranks 44th in the state (114 counties) in population, 80th in growth, 73 in median household income and 53rd in the state in the number of people with a high school diploma or more.
Paffrath said businesses have their own criteria for what they need in a community.
“They need to know is there a need for more housing?” she said. “What kind of businesses is the labor force best suited for? Businesses look at traffic count, how many travelers go through the county, the educational level of the workforce, who will be buying their product and how do you spend your money.”
Paffrath said a goal is to pull some of the business traffic from Columbia.
“It is slower paced here but we have a lot more to offer and an easier way of doing business in Randolph County,” she commented.
Paffrath pointed out that the Moberly office is small with just her, Randy Asbury, MAEDC president; and Tina Bealmer, administrative assistant. However, there are other organizations “on the team.” They include the Chambers of Commerce inMoberly, Fayette and Glasgow; Moberly Area Community College, which includes the Entrepreneurial Center, Central Christian College of the Bible, and Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission,
Paffrath also emphasizes shopping local. Her figures show that $68 dollars out of $100 spent at a local business will stay in the community in the way of jobs and employees re-investing in their town. If you shop at a non-local store, such as those considered a “box store,” only $43 of that $100 goes back to the community and online purchases only net $1, she added.
“Shop locally and increase your local tax base,” she said.
The MAEDC office is at 115 N. Williams. You can email them with questions at info@moberly-edc.com or call 660-263-8811.