The Warrenton Board of Aldermen voted at its Jan. 17 meeting to reinstate its $10,000 annual contribution to the Greater Warren County Economic Development Council (EDC).The city had participated in the EDC since 2012. In September, the board was split on whether to renew the city’s contributions, with aldermen citing concerns about whether the EDC benefits businesses in Warrenton. Mayor Eric Schleuter broke a tied vote, opting to leave the EDC.After revisiting the issue in December and meeting with EDC representatives Jan. 12, the mayor and board members were more confident that the city and EDC have shared interests.A major point of contention was that the EDC spends much of its focus on industry, while the city relies heavily on the success of retail businesses. Part of the January meeting’s purpose was to confirm that those two business interests could overlap.Schleuter said it was reassuring to hear that the EDC keeps retail interests in mind while recruiting more industrial employers. He said there had been a disconnect between the city and EDC, in part because aldermen had come and gone since the organization was formed.“What’s hard for us is every two years we have new board members,” Schleuter said. “To catch everybody up to speed on everything we have to do, that’s a lot. I can’t just sit down and say ‘Here’s a packet of what it is.’”None of the current aldermen or mayor held their positions when the EDC was established. After the meeting Jan. 12, board members expressed unanimous support for rejoining.“It was a very productive meeting,” said Alderman Gary Auch, Ward 2. “It certainly helped for me to find what their role is in terms of economic development.”Auch previously opposed renewing the city’s contribution.The EDC was formed in 2011 by business leaders to attract and retain new employers, according to information from the EDC. Warren County and the cities of Warrenton, Wright City, Truesdale and Jonesburg agreed in 2012 to become participating governments and commit annual funding to the organization. Funding contributions are based on the size of each government’s property tax base.Josh Beck, a consultant for the EDC, told board members the organization had a hand in attracting shingle manufacturer CertainTeed to open a plant near Jonesburg, and more recently in drawing electronics disposal company EPC to open a location in Wright City. The EDC also had several successful projects in the Warrenton area, he said.Beck said the EDC’s focus is on recruiting employers that bring more money into the area by producing goods and services for customers outside the county.“The focus is on bringing in those primary employers to increase the size of the ‘pie,’ the size of the economy in the local area,” Beck said.When new businesses bring in capital from outside the area, that money eventually goes to retailers and gets circulated throughout the local economy, he added.For example, CertainTeed sells roofing material made in Jonesburg to customers in other states. Those sales turn out-of-state money into paychecks for Jonesburg employees. Those employees can then spend their paychecks at stores and restaurants all over the area, including Warrenton.That’s why the EDC encourages cities and businesses to work together for mutual benefit, Beck said.Warrenton and the EDC hope to keep stronger ties in the future. Warrenton Economic Development Director Michelle Schlenther said new jobs anywhere in the area help Warrenton residents.“I think anything the city can do to assist in bringing more businesses to the community is great,” Schlenther said.Schlenther was the city’s liaison to the EDC prior to September and had a vote in EDC decisions. Mayor Schleuter said he would like to see her continue that role, perhaps joined by an alderman who will represent the board at future EDC meetings.City of Warrenton