Barton County Chamber takes “Pro Business” stance

By MELODY METZGER

Lamar Democrat

A meeting of concerned citizens, chamber members, representatives of the city and county and business owners was held at 5 p.m. Monday, July 29, at the Barton County Chamber of Commerce office, in order to hear the chamber’s stance on the vote that is to be taken this evening (Tuesday, July 30), as to the re-zoning of the “Summer Fresh” property, in order to allow a pharmaceutical marijuana grow facility to come to Lamar.

The meeting was opened by Astra Ferris, CEO of the chamber, who stated that the chamber had contracted with the City of Lamar on July 16, 2018, as a means of helping draw businesses and economic growth to the community. Ferris stated that the focus of the chamber is on agricultural and manufacturing facilities; which would encompass the facility that is the center of much dissension in the community.

The chamber is looking at this strictly as a business endeavor that would bring economic growth to our town. Ferris introduced Barton County Chamber Board President Kevin Bull, who read a press release that had been written by Ferris and himself. In the release Bull pointed out that the chamber’s mission statement is, “Promoting Progress in Barton County Through Business and Community Development”.

He went on to state that this facility would provide 50 to 100 jobs that are desperately needed in our community and that at this time the average hourly rate in Barton County is $10 an hour. MoBIG, the investors of the facility, proposed that the lowest waged position will start 30-40 percent higher than this, with the majority of the jobs paying 100-150 percent higher, along with salaried positions that will pay between $50,000-$100,000 per year with benefits. Bull pointed out that needless to say, this would not only benefit Lamar, but the surrounding communities as well.

The release stated that for every dollar earned by one worker, it will be turned over seven times in the local economy.

With a town that is full of vacant buildings, the press release pointed out that this would eliminate one of those buildings and that the investors are estimating spending $1.5-$2 million in infrastructure upgrades. Ferris pointed out that the building has been empty for almost two years, and the longer the building sits empty, the more work will be involved with fixing it up. Ferris said, “The longer it sits, the more challenges we have to face”.

Also mentioned in the release was the amount of commercial property taxes, the commercial personal property tax and tax revenue growth that would be phenomenal.

The letter ended, “As a chamber, we firmly believe that having a pro-business attitude will only enhance the chances that more businesses of all kind, especially those in our targeted industry of agriculture and manufacturing, will look at coming to Lamar”.

Also speaking on behalf of pro business was Brent Brown, the original owner of Summer Fresh that came to Lamar in March of 1999. He is also currently the owner of one of the strip malls on Hwy. 160 (12th St.), in Lamar and sees the facility as a way to “drive the economy and to do something positive for the town”.

It was emphasized that the chamber is not taking a stand on what is considered right or wrong, but is taking a stance on “pro-business”.

In fact, many are viewing the entire situation as a moral or religious topic, when in fact it is strictly an economical and medical issue.

During a question and answer session the availability of hiring local individuals was discussed and it was mentioned that skilled workers would be brought in at the beginning, in order to train the local workers and then they would move on to another facility. It was also emphasized that those applying for employment would not only have to pass an FBI background check, but would have to be fingerprinted as well.