The Howard County Economic Development Council (HCEDC) announced that as of May 1, it has ended its long-standing partnership with the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC) to establish a new relationship with the Boonslick Community Development Corporation (BCDC) to provide professional economic development services in Howard County.

The Howard County Economic Development Council is dedicated to promoting economic growth and prosperity in Howard County through business development, workforce initiatives, and community partnerships. The Boonslick Community Development Corporation is committed to enhancing the economic vitality of Cooper County (and now Howard County) by exploring retention, expansion, and attraction opportunities that are mutually beneficial for business and community.

The HCEDC had partnered with the MAEDC for 11 eleven years, during which time the organizations worked collaboratively to advance business and economic growth throughout Howard County. The cost of a partnership with the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation totaled $80,000 a year, and Howard County was granted a member on its board. That fee was paid for by financial commitments from Central Methodist University, the City of Fayette, Commercial Trust Company, Exchange Bank, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Howard County, Howard Electric Cooperative, Addison Biological Laboratory, and Inovatia Laboratories, LLC.

The cost of partnering with the BCDC is still being negotiated.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the MAEDC, its board of directors, and its stakeholders for partnering with us over these past eleven years,” said Amber Overfelt, Chair of the Howard County Economic Development Council. “Their dedication and expertise have been invaluable in helping maintain the health of our local economy and positioning Howard County for future growth.”

Mrs. Overfelt indicated that the MAEDC had expressed an interest in refocusing more intently on the Randolph County area. Joining efforts with Boonslick Community Development Corporation revives a previous partnership outlined in the original BCDC bylaws. There is also more traffic between citizens of Howard County and Cooper County than with Randolph County, she said.

The HCEDC board expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership with the Boonslick Community Development Corporation, viewing it as an opportunity to build upon past successes while exploring fresh approaches to economic development in the region.

“The HCEDC board is excited about this new relationship with BCDC,” added JB Waggoner, a Fayette business owner and Alderman, who, for six years, represented the HCEDC on the MAEDC board. “We believe this partnership will bring great benefits to Howard County through fresh strategies, meaningful collaboration, and enhanced resources for our business community. We are especially excited about working with Jim Gann, the current Director of Economic Development for the BCDC. It will be great to have access to Jim’s tremendous experience and knowledge,” said Waggoner.

The transition to the new partnership with BCDC is effective immediately. Mrs. Overfelt said the HCEDC remains committed to fostering economic prosperity in Howard County through strategic initiatives, business recruitment, expansion, and retention efforts, as well as workforce development.

Ken Hirlinger, President of the Boonslick Community Development Corporation Board of Directors, said the prospect of working with the Howard County Economic Development Council was welcomed with great enthusiasm because it seemed like such a natural partnership. “There is an existing precedent through the Howard-Cooper County Regional Port Authority – a partnership between the two counties that has worked well for five decades,” he said. “We enter this new relationship with Howard County with the full intention that we can help HCEDC achieve some real results for Howard County, results that will, in turn, benefit the entire Boonslick region.”