Steve Etcher, representing the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council (GWCEDC), says the region has many opportunities for economic growth in a post-COVID world.

Etcher delivered his annual economic update to the Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce last week, focusing much of his time on how the region can recover and even thrive after the pandemic. 

“You have to be hopeful in this business. I’m an eternal optimist,” Etcher commented. “Yeah, we’ve been through a rough year. But I see the future as filled with opportunities.”

Understanding the long-term shifts caused by COVID and taking advantage of existing infrastructure and housing growth in Warren County could be major factors in drawing new industries and employers to the area, Etcher said.

The pandemic highlighted global supply chain vulnerabilities for many industries, Etcher explained. That’s caused many companies to reconsider what they can produce domestically, rather than using global networks.

“That’s a key takeaway — How do we become a little more self-reliant?” Etcher commented. He said even food produced in the U.S. gets shipped for foreign processing. Companies are now looking for ways to keep that process closer to home, and that’s an opportunity for Warren County.

“We have seen in (the GWCEDC) project pipeline, over the past 12 months, an incredible surge in the number of food production or food processing projects that are looking for a place to set up shop,” Etcher commented. “We’ve also seen that in medical equipment, medical gear, pharmaceuticals, etc.”

Etcher said with Warren County’s plentiful land, interstate access, and available utilities, there’s an opportunity to market to those industries disrupted by COVID.

That marketability comes from a growth trend and infrastructure development that have been progressing for years. Etcher said local leaders have paved the way for such growth, and it’s been paying off with more people moving here.

“Warren County was actually the fastest growing county (by percentage) in the state of Missouri from 2018 to 2019,” Etcher commented. He said access to an available and growing workforce is possibly the most important element to attract new employers.

COVID fallout

While there are opportunities after the pandemic, Etcher said there’s no question some businesses have seen a downturn. Thankfully, federal stimulus programs have prevented an economic collapse. Etcher said Warren County had a high percentage of businesses receive the support they need through the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

“I think that (credit) goes to our bankers,” Etcher said. “They understood that local financial institutions were the gateway to that program. If you had a good relationship with your local, regional, community bank, you were able to access the PPP.”

Future solar impact

Etcher also addressed the future economic benefits of upcoming industrial solar farm development. Two projects in northern Warren County will bring $735 million in development to the area, employ hundreds of construction workers for two years, and partner with local contractors and suppliers where possible, Etcher said.

In the long term, the projects will provide about $1 million per year for local public services, and renewable energy production will become part of Warren County’s business marketing, he added.

“This will help in terms of marketing to large-scale industries,” Etcher said, explaining that many forward-looking companies ask for anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent of their energy to come from renewable sources.

“What we can point to now is, not only can we meet those requirements, but this is 5 miles down the road. I can point to where your renewables are going to come from,” Etcher said. “I think it’s really going to help us attract those industries of tomorrow.”