MU Extension In JeffCo: Taking Missouri Small Businesses To The Next Level: CARES Act Enables 12 To ‘Elevate'

Press release from the MU Extension in Jefferson County:

July 26, 2021

Twelve Missouri small businesses accepted the challenge to take their businesses to the next level at the beginning of 2021.

Selected from across the state and representing the logistics, construction, service, and manufacturing/production industries, the following second-stage businesses were among those that participated in the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Elevate program, made available through funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Champion Precast (https://championprecast.com(opens in new window)) in Troy casts concrete products such as traffic and security barriers, manholes, and retaining wall panels. In business for close to 40 years, with almost 50 employees, the company’s clients include general contractors, utility companies and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Communique (https://communiqueinc.com) is a Jefferson City–based firm that specializes in the development of health and nutrition communications for agricultural and food organizations. With nine employees, this 40-year-old firm cultivates healthy ideas via strategic communications, education and outreach, and digital and social media.

Dynatek Labs (https://dynateklabs.com(opens in new window)) is an innovative medical device testing laboratory in Galena. With 16 employees and more than 35 years of experience, the lab’s main focus is the testing needs of implantable medical devices, such as heart valves, stents, and catheters. Its first tester, the M6 heart valve tester, is still the industry standard.

Green Resources Consulting (https://www.getgreenresources.com(opens in new window)) in Cleveland grows and manufactures bamboo products. Now in its fifth year, with 50 employees, the company primarily produces masks. Its N95 mask has five high-filtration layers, one of activated bamboo charcoal, that efficiently filter airborne particles, such as those that cause COVID-19.

Hannibal Machine (https://hannibalmachine.com(opens in new window)) offers services ranging from custom metal fabrication and architectural metalwork, to machinery repair, welding, and more. Located in Hannibal, this 30-year-old machine shop has 12 employees, including experienced machinists and welders, and can do one-of-a-kind jobs and small-run production.

Hartline Construction (https://www.hartlinekc.com(opens in new window)) is a woman-owned Kansas City–based construction company with 35 employees. A decade old, the company has completed 425 projects with clients such as Argosy Casino and WholeStack Solutions, and in late 2019, won the carpentry bid for the new Kansas City International Airport terminal.

KC Waterproofing (https://kcwaterproofing.com(op... in new window)) in North Kansas City has been waterproofing basements and repairing foundations for 35 years. Now 30 employees strong, the firm also offers crawl space waterproofing, sump pump installation and water damage restoration in homes and commercial properties.

Paradise Locker Meats (https://paradisemeats.com(open... in new window)) in Trimble sells various cuts of meat to local and online customers and provides custom processing for local farmers and hunters. Established in 1946 in Paradise as Paradise Meat Locker, it was renamed and moved to Trimble in 2003. Now with 50 employees, the locker processes 350 to 400 local animals a week.

Preferred Pest Control (https://toughonpests.com(opens in new window)) is a residential and commercial pest control company in Savannah. This 50-year-old business has seven employees. The technicians are trained, licensed professional that can rid homes and businesses of a variety of pest, including termites, rodents, roaches and bed bugs.

Select Plastics (https://selectplastics.net(ope... in new window)) in Scott City is a custom sheet extruder that works with high-impact, weatherable and engineered sheet plastic. In business for almost a quarter century, with 122 employees, this producer offers plastics in several textures and provides color-matching services and lot-to-lot color consistency.

Missouri SBDC’s Elevate program, offered in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, focuses on second-stage business — typically businesses that have 10 to 99 full-time employees, $750,000 to $5 million in sales, and the opportunity to grow beyond their current market area.

Conducted by phone and a secure online portal, Elevate consists of two parts. The first part, the Systems for Integrated Growth engagement, entails each business owner being paired with a team leader. Once they determine what the business’s right next steps are, specialized consultants vetted by the Edward Lowe Foundation are called upon to assist. These consultants provide data and share best practices related to each business’s particular needs.

The second part involves peer learning. The PeerSpectives Roundtables, facilitated by Edward Lowe Foundation experts, bring together the participating business owners, presidents and CEOs to confidentially share their experiences and delve into their most pressing issues.

The 12 Missouri business accepted into the Missouri SBDC’s first Elevate cohort of the year have recently begun the PeerSpectives portion of the program. Watch for follow-up reports in which they share their growth steps and their feelings about the program.

If you are the owner of a second-stage small business in Missouri, contact your local SBDC (https://sbdc.missouri.edu/loca... in new window)) to be considered for a future Elevate program cohort.

This press release was produced by the MU Extension in Jefferson County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.