The Role of Chillicothe Development Corporation (CDC) in Economic and Industrial Development

CDC's Role In Economic And Industrial Development

An ongoing objective of the Chillicothe Development Corporation is to identify economic
development opportunities that will strengthen the community.

CDC's income is generated through the lease of buildings owned by the Corporation and
investment of accumulated development funds. The Corporation also owns 33 acres of
development space. This land provides development opportunities for businesses that
might not meet the size or other requirements for the Industrial Park. The ability to offer
options helps maximize opportunity for economic development.

Current & Past Projects
CDC Board of Directors
Major Employers
Chillicothe Industrial Park
CDC's Role in Chillicothe

Chillicothe Chamber
Main Street Chillicothe
Visitor's Bureau
Email CDC

Chillicothe Area Visitor's Region
The CDC took the initiative to fund a tourism study, then helped initiate the Community Tourism Committee. This resulted in the passage of a "lodging tax" that supports the Chillicothe Area Visitor's Region's (formerly Grand River Area Visitors Bureau) efforts to draw more consumers to our area.

Main Street Chillicothe
The tourism study emphasized the importance of an attractive, viable downtown business area. This resulted in the CDC contracting with HNTB Consulting to develop a plan to revitalize our historic downtown. As a result of that study, the Main Street Chillicothe program was initiated. The CDC board members have made a commitment to donate through the Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits and encourages everyone who is interested in downtown revitalization to get involved. Donations may be in the form of time and ideas; cash; materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; real estate; or stocks and bonds. The CDC board has donated, from their personal funds, the total of $200,000 needed to utilize the $140,000 awarded in tax credits. The money is being used to fund current projects, as well as to help develop new ones that will increase the interest in being involved in a vibrant historic district.

The CDC has also established a facade/sign matching grant program for Main Street members to encourage improvement and restoration of the historic building fronts.

Economic Growth
The CDC continues to work to retain and expand existing businesses, as well as recruit new businesses. The purpose of the CEO visits is to provide a sounding board for leaders of existing businesses to talk about their company's strengths and to identify areas where the CDC may be of assistance. The CDC is working on other major projects in its ongoing goal to stimulate economic growth.

If you have questions about the CDC, please email cdc@chillicothemo.com or visit more of the links above.

		Major Employers Major employers as of 2003 are listed here, along with designated contacts: Chillicothe R-II School District - Dale Wallace Hedrick Medical Center - James Johnson and Lisa Hecker Donaldson Company - Roy Crawley Department of Corrections - Jennifer Miller Hy-Vee Food Store - Dean Watson Wal-Mart - Karen Thomas and Frank Chaney Midwest Quality Gloves, Inc. - Julie McCoy Wire Rope Corporation of America - Alice Bartlett Citizens Bank & Trust - Bill Young, Ed Douglas, Rollie Stadlman GEAR For Sports - Mel Brown and Duane Merritt Associated Packaging Technologies - Don Dignan Indian Hills Retirement Village - Jan Arnold Morningside Center - Joan Sweets Some of the major employers are pictured at left, including the Chillicothe High School, Hedrick Medical Center, GEAR For Sports ribbon cutting, the Hy-Vee floral department (part of an extensive remodeling project in 2002), Midwest Quality Gloves, Inc., and Morningside Center's ribbon cutting for their expansion in 2002. Pictured at right is Citizens Bank & Trust. Return to Top Chillicothe Industrial Park The success of Chillicothe's industrial recruitment is the result of a team that works extremely well together. The CDC works closely with Farmer's Electric Cooperative (FEC). The FEC has made a substantial commitment to industrial recruitment with the Industrial Park and a full-time economic developer. The Chillicothe Area Industrial Park (CAIP) is a fully developed, full-service industrial park. Utilities including water, sewer, natural gas and electricity, are installed in the park and are designed to provide adequate capacity now and in the future. Plus, industrial quality roads and railroad access are available. The FEC Companies Energy Division, part of the electric cooperative system, provides electricity for the park. The utility enjoys a 99.9 percent reliability factor. There is no franchise fee. Electric services may be provided directly to a building at no cost to the company and with no facilities charge. Rates are as low as two cents per kWh with no demand charge. CDC also works closely with the Area Chamber of Commerce, Chillicothe Municipal Utilities, Missouri Pubic Service, Southwestern Bell Telephone, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, Northwest Power, the Small Business Development Center, the Department of Economic Development, the City of Chillicothe, and Livingston County.