Cole Co. Commission, JC Chamber reach economic development agreement

The Cole County Commission approved an agreement for economic development with the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce Wednesday morning.

The County has agreed to pay the Chamber $150,000, and the Chamber agreed to other conditions.

The Chamber’s Director of Economic Development and the existing business manager bus attend at least one city council or board of aldermen meeting every six months in Jefferson City, Wardsville, St. Martins, Taos, Russellville,Centertown, St. Thomas, and Lohman.

The previous contract had expired and the Chamber asked Cole County to renew on May 7, where Chamber President Randy Allen presented a report to the Commission.

In May, the Commission said the Chamber had not done enough work outside of the Jefferson City limits.

The Commissioners asked Chamber officials at the May 7 meeting why they had such little economic success in the past few years, and why they had not done more to bring business to smaller Cole County cities.

A week later, at the May 14th meeting, the Chamber and Commission reached an understanding, with the Chamber stating they felt much more confident in the Chamber.