St. Clair County Economic Development is the result of an effort taken by Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission to put an economic developer in each of the seven counties of their region. The county of St.Clair recognized that they needed to take action in order to bring about positive economic change in their communities. KBRPC, St. Clair County, the city of Osceola, Lowry City and Appleton city came together to hire an economic developer. Each of these entities works together to bring about local and regional economic growth. 

A sample of some of our current projects:

• City of Osceola Hotel Feasibility Study

• Cultivate St. Clair- A program to assist new and emerging businesses through mentors, networking and investment

• Aggressive business retention & expansion program working with numerous local businesses

• Participation in the creation of a seven county economic development plan led by the University of Missouri Extension and funded by the USDA ( SET VI )

• Working with a group of elementary students to develop a business plan for their tech start up

• Collaborating with West Central Community Action Agency to create the FARE center- an innovative incubator kitchen

• The Creation of a countywide Barn Quilt Tour " Sac Osage Barn Quilt Journey"

• Participation in the Local Foods, Local Places workshop for Appleton City

• Local Farmer's Market assistance

City of Osceola Commissions Hotel Feasibility Study

Osceola, Missouri– The City of Osceola has retained the Growth Services Group (GSG), a national workforce intelligence and consulting firm, to conduct a Hotel Feasibility Study for the community. This Market Study provides a demographic and economic overview of the subject area to determine the overall feasibility of a new greenfield hotel development.  The purpose of this Market Study is to estimate the perceived demand and to estimate financial performance of a new hotel in Progress, Anywhere. 

GSG will analyze market conditions, economic and demographic factors, and site conditions to determine their impact on a potential project.  GSG will utilize both primary and secondary data sources to analyze the subject area’s demand for additional rooms.  Research will also include local interviews with area representatives from a variety of public and private sector organizations.  The Report will include primary data and input regarding the overall feasibility of the project today and will analyze the potential for future growth in demand in the subject area.

The GSG Market Feasibility Study Report will address the estimated operating performance of a potential project and will provide recommendations as to the size and scope of the potential development. The report provides prospective owners, investors, operators and lenders with a snapshot of the overall feasibility of the potential project based on market conditions at the time of the study.

According to Sheridan Garman-Neeman of St. Clair County Economic Development “It is important for our community to ascertain the needs of our local businesses to ensure we are providing the necessary accommodations to support their efforts. Sheridan added that many potential employers require sleeping accommodations to host out of town employees, vendors and customers as well as the need for additional meeting space for meetings or training etc. Sheridan went on to say, “There is a lot of tourism and entrepreneurial investment potential in our area if we can provide high quality accommodations.  If not, the community and the local merchants will lose hotel stays and subsequent guest spending to other communities.”

In addition, the City has commissioned a GSG Supplement Retail Overview. This Retail Overview provides a demographic and economic overview of the subject area to determine the overall feasibility of a new greenfield mixed use development. Information and findings will be delivered via professionally designed multi-page Retail Marketing Flyer ready for use by the community/developer in their attraction efforts.

GSG will conduct a retail analysis of the subject area including the 15 minute and 20 minute drive times. The analysis will include a Housing Summary, Traffic Count Profile, Retail Market Profile, Retail Market Potential, Retail Marketplace Profile (Leakage/Surplus), Population Summary and Household Income Profile. The analysis will also include Retail Goods and Services Expenditures for various retail sectors.

Once completed, the Feasibility Study and the Retail Overview will be used to evaluate market demand and attract new investments as necessary.