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Local economic development raises living standards

Randy Asbury
Posted 7/21/20

Having graduated from Fayette High School, I have enjoyed the opportunity to return to Howard County in my current position as Director of Business Development for the Moberly Area Economic …

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Local economic development raises living standards

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Having graduated from Fayette High School, I have enjoyed the opportunity to return to Howard County in my current position as Director of Business Development for the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation. In that capacity, I have had the pleasure of working with city and county leaders as we strive together to further economic development and improve the living standards for all residents of the various communities.

Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation’s goal in Howard County is to contract economic development services for the Howard County Economic Development Council to identify potential areas of growth and to bring resources to the table that can assist with that growth. As I consider economic development, I automatically think about living standards. We all want our families to enjoy the best opportunities and the highest living standards that are possible. 

Many times, it seems economic development is associated only with attracting large employers to an area. Though the thought of adding a large employee business to a community is worthy, it is rare in today’s economy. Most economic growth that occurs within a community comes as a result of local entrepreneurial start-ups or the expansion of a business that already exists. 

The small businesses of a community are the backbone of any local economy and providing opportunities for those businesses to grow are likely where most economic stability and growth in rural counties will occur. Local attitudes and decision-making are key to the future growth of each community. Optimistic attitudes and decision-making that supports business growth and expansion are crucial to a community’s future. 

Developing and operating a successful business is difficult under the best of circumstances but can be made even more difficult when communities do not have a vision for future growth or are unwilling to see what the future could be for what it currently may be. What is “now” should not define what “could be”. 

I am optimistic about what the future holds for Howard County. Local leaders understand the importance of retaining, expanding, and starting new businesses in the area. They have also laid the foundation for larger business attraction as those opportunities present themselves. As much as we may want the economic development process to be a sprint, it is a marathon. Howard County Economic Development Council is running that marathon alongside the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation and local business leaders to raise the living standards throughout the county. It has been enjoyable playing a role in that race.

Randy Asbury is the Director of Business Development for the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation (MAEDC)

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