By Derrick Forsythe, Record Staff Writer
The Greater Warren County Economic Development Council held an awards ceremony July 25 to recognize outstanding leaders and breakthroughs in the local business scene.Businesses and individuals were recognized for their efforts to bring new commerce and jobs to the county.The GWCEDC began in 2011 and has been a driving force behind enticing new businesses and corporations to open their doors in the region. The largest of its accomplishments has been securing the commitment of CertainTeed to build a distribution plant in Jonesburg, supplying 100 new jobs to the area.“This is team Warren County,” expressed EDC Spokesperson Josh Beck to open the event. “This is an organization that has had two key principles since we were founded.“It’s incredible the impact you can have on your hometown and region if you encourage businesses to invest, grow and create jobs,” he said. “The positive ripple effect of that is immense. The second key principle is accomplishing this through a collaborative approach.”Beck discussed the growth that has taken place in recent years, with EPC Inc. creating 90 new jobs in Wright City and SAF Holland adding 80 jobs in Warrenton.“No matter which company it is and no matter where they’re located in our region, it elevates our entire county,” said Beck.“I’m proud to say that this EDC has had seven successes in just six years — more than one successful project per year.”There have been 318 new direct jobs created as a result of those projects, and there are 27 new projects the EDC is actively pursuing.To open the awards portion of the ceremony, EDC Consultant Steve Etcher recognized the efforts of late Truesdale Mayor Murray Brewer, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer.Wright City Economic Developer Karen Girondo followed with a tribute to the late Wright City Mayor David Heiliger, who died from a heart attack just days after Brewer.Platinum contributing partners, those donating $5,000 annually, were recognized for their commitment. Businesses that are platinum contributors are Banze Construction, Continental Pump, Karrenbrock Construction, T&N Inc., Missouri Bank, First State Community Bank, Warrenton Steel, Warren County R-III School District and Wright City R-III School District.Silver contributing partners, those donating $1,000 annually, were then recognized. Businesses that are silver contributors to the Greater Warren County Economic Development are Schraer Heating and Cooling, The Missourian Publishing Co., Kemper Consulting, Jonesburg State Bank, Gastorf Chevrolet, Hays Food Systems, First State Insurance, Booneslick Regional Planning, State Farm Insurance and Sellenriek Construction.The entrepreneurship award went to Farmer Girl Meats and founder Leslie Moore.The NextGen Leader award, which honors an outstanding leader under the age of 40, was presented to Dana Maloney of Warrenton Oil Company.The Public Partner Award went to Karen Girondo, who serves multiple roles for the city of Wright City.The recipient of the Corporate Citizenship Award was Sellenriek Construction of Jonesburg.CertainTeed was honored with the Industry Achievement Award.SILVER CONTRIBUTORS — Business that are silver contributors to the Greater Warren County Economic Development are pictured, from left to right: Gary Scott, Schraer Heating and Cooling; Jana Todd, The Missourian Publishing Co; Tom Kemper, Kemper Consulting; Dan Robb, Jonesburg State Bank; Rick Gastorf, Gastorf Chevrolet; Scott Hays, Hays Food Systems; Greg Horton, First State Insurance; Chad Eggen, Booneslick Regional Planning; Jim Ledbetter, State Farm Insurance and Bob Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction. Submitted photo.
