Eight candidates vying for seats on the City Council say economic development projects have been making progress in the Capital City and more should be encouraged.
The News Tribune asked the eight candidates for contested council seats for their views on the city's projects and their own priorities ahead of Tuesday's election.
Both Ward 1 candidates named the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP) redevelopment project as a source of economic growth through development.
Incumbent David Kemna said he hoped to continue supporting MSP's redevelopment project and growth in the Algoa Industrial Park area.
"I feel for both projects you are seeing a strong collaborative effort from not just the city but from the county and the state to grow both areas," he said.
Kemna pointed to the council's recent approval of the sale of MSP land to the Missouri Primary Care Association and the Missouri Behavioral Health Council for a joint Center of Excellence and the state's investment in its multi-agency One Health Lab. As for the Algoa area, he said he would support work on a railroad spur extension and transload facility that are in the works there.
He also noted a planned truck plaza on Militia Drive, saying it had the potential to lead to future development in the area.
"I would encourage the continued development of both projects if I were to retain my seat on the council. I know the incoming mayor is supportive of the MSP developments, and I would be hopeful that he would also be supportive of the projects in the Algoa region as they continue to unfold."
Jeff Ahlers, his challenger, said the movement on MSP project should encourage further investment within the historic site's walls and in the surrounding area.
"The city has said money received from there will be used to do infrastructure work for that area," he said. "That should spark interest in developing construction on vacant lots to build housing and apartments in that area I hope that will attract people wanting to be close to uptown."
Ahlers said the Militia Drive project could prove an economic boon for the area and said there was potential for more work along Wildwood Drive and the Algoa area near Scholastic.
"I see great things ahead in Jeff City and look forward to working with incoming Mayor (Ron) Fitzwater to get Jeff City moving again along with city and county members," he said.
Ward 2 candidates Aaron Mealy and Edith Vogel both said they support projects that push economic development in Jefferson City, though they differ on what that looks like.
Mealy said he wants to be a driving force for economic development in the city. That includes advocating for eliminating housing gaps, supporting parks and healthy community activities, and the opportunities that exist at the Missouri State Penitentiary property.
Mealy mentioned the possibility of a new conference center being established on the site and the new jobs that would come with it.
"I will strongly advocate for and work on our infrastructure. With new and well-maintained infrastructure, our community can grow both in resources and opportunities," Mealy said.
Mealy also said he's an "enthusiastic" supporter of small businesses in Jefferson City. He said small businesses have a significant role in economic development and making city government work in the favor of small businesses is vital to a successful economy.
Vogel has a different approach. She said economic development starts with having a "well-maintained city that looks inviting to outsiders." Vogel said Jefferson City natives get used to seeing the city as it is and can forget about implementing low-cost improvements.
She said those kinds of improvements come from a desire to keep what the city has clean and appeal to everyone.
However, Vogel also said the future of Jefferson City, economic development included, will depend not only on the city's economic scene, but the state of Cole County, Missouri and the United States as a whole.
That being said, Vogel said, it starts by working on the local economy.
"Economic development locally, supported financially by the city and county, has enough talented and experienced personnel to do due diligence to the task at hand. Some projects already planned seem to add to the concept," Vogel said.
Vogel's economic strategy didn't cover whether the city's spending is helping achieve economic development goals.
Mealy said he'll bring a unique perspective to the council with his "expertise in budgets, grants and data-driven decision-making." He said taxpayers deserve the best decision-making possible when it comes to city spending.
"We can reach our economic development goals by working together to find solutions, addressing infrastructure concerns, creating a workforce-friendly environment and supporting the businesses and industries that provide jobs in our community," Mealy said.
If elected, Vogel said she wishes to work with the new mayor on driving economic development.
"He has his fingers on the pulse of the city and is a good listener, conservative in nature and not afraid to express it. We can only hope that common sense is in his vocabulary," Vogel said.
Mealy shared this interest in working with the mayor. He said collaboration is required in order for the community to grow and he's looking forward to working well with the mayor and City Council.
"When we collaborate and work as a team, we can accomplish big goals," Mealy said.
Ward 3 incumbent Scott Spencer said economic development was an essential focus of the community, noting its impact on job creation, business retention, tax revenue, economic growth and overall quality of life. He said he supported the city's current allocations for economic development and its investment in the Jefferson City Regional Economic Partnership (JCREP).
"Luke Holtschneider, executive director of JCREP, has done a great job working with our local and regional business/industry partners and advocating for their growth," he said. "Unfortunately, there was a proposal to cut the funding for JCREP in this year's budget. I led the effort, along with others on the council, to fully restore those funds. The partnership with JCREP, along with the County Commission, has been a great investment for us locally and regionally."
Going forward, Spencer said, the city needed to implement a wide variety of tools to sustain and expand existing businesses while attracting new ones. He said past councils made extensive use of these tools, including Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), tax abatements, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NID), Transportation Development Districts (TDDs), sales tax exemptions and more to the community's benefit.
"When it comes to economic development, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach," he said.
He said economic development extended beyond geographical boundaries and local perspectives, now encompassing a regional perspective. He said he hoped the city would work with other nearby communities to bolster the whole region.
He also said City Hall could be a partner to businesses and developers by streamlining processes, something he hoped to work on with the new mayor.
"Change is coming to Jefferson City, and I want to be a part of an efficient and effective government that works for everyone in our community," he said.
His opponent, Treaka Young, said she would encourage projects that would restore, develop and build properties that lead to affordable housing options for low- and middle-income people and senior citizens. She also said it was vital to find alternative transportation for residents working outside of normal business hours and on weekends.
"Over the past eight years, the city has done well with focusing and achieving development goal. Some immediate areas of improvement should include establishing a budget that includes affordable housing, infrastructure to improve the streets, roads and building sidewalks in residential areas," she said. "I would work with City Council by providing suggestions on additional needs based what constituents have expressed and by exploring alternative funding opportunities to cover cost."
She said she would encourage partnership between the city and other local agencies for community development grant funding. She said the input of local agencies was vital to securing growth.
"It is important that the City Council include the guidance of local agencies that have experience in doing development studies to assess the areas of needs related to affordable housing, infrastructure and public safety," she said.
Both Ward 5 candidates said they want to promote and drive economic development in Jefferson City and specifically mentioned wanting to focus on endeavors that will create high-paying jobs.
If elected, Alicia Edwards said she'll advocate for projects that create jobs with livable wages, as well as policies that encourage a balance between jobs and housing.
She also said she supports continuing the contract between Jefferson City and JCREP to continue using its economic development services.
"Attracting new businesses and supporting existing businesses are both important to the city's future," Edwards said.
Mark Schwartz said growth in Jefferson City has stagnated during the past 10 years, accompanied by job losses. He said while the rest of Missouri saw "unprecedented" job growth and unemployment rates, the city stagnated.
Schwartz attributed some of this to the "failures" of the former administration, which he said are "evident" in the data that came out of a recent housing study.
"We need economic development projects that entice and encourage business growth, which in turn generates sales tax and creation of high-paying jobs that will expand the tax base in Jefferson City," Schwartz said.
Schwartz added the numbers don't lie and reveal the city hasn't been spending money in ways that achieve economic development goals.
Both Schwartz and Edwards expressed an eagerness to get to work after the election.
Edwards said the new City Council and the new mayor will need to be "proactive in providing support" for these avenues of economic development.
"I'm ready to serve Jefferson City and assure the community that the city will be proactive in economic growth," Edwards said.
Schwartz said the new mayor should encourage business development by maximizing the city's incentives to do so.
"I look forward to being a conduit between the mayor, county and state as we partner to revitalize our state's capital," Schwartz said.
David Kemna
Jeff Ahlers
Edith Vogel
Aaron Mealy
Alicia Edwards
Mark Schwartz
Scott Spencer