Sweet Springs looks to rejuvenate local economy

Richard "Dick" Hassler leads an economic discussion group Thursday, July 24, in Sweet Springs. Promoting tourism, building town pride and utilizing current assets were some of the evening's hot topics. (Travis Watts/Democrat News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Organizations in attendance included MSDC, Sweet Springs Economic Development Council, Kansas City Power and Light, Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, Saline County Commission, The Small Business Administration and Smart Solutions.

The majority of the evening was spent in small discussion groups, each with a moderator to guide participants. Moderators were Becky Plattner (Saline County presiding commissioner), Norvelle "Brownie" Brown (Saline County northern district commissioner), Irv Jensen (Smart Solutions), Richard "Dick" Hassler (Saline County southern district commissioner) and Mark Dawson.

Each group touched on the positives of Sweet Springs, the drawbacks and ways to bring improvement.

Hassler's group identified the hospital, schools and the racetrack as some major positives in Sweet Springs.

"How many communities of 1,600 have a hospital?" said Hassler, questioning the audience. "These are the things that will attract people."

Jensen felt the key was to increase tourism, drawing from communities such as Warrensburg and Sedalia.

"We want to not fundamentally change (the) community, we want to make it better," he said. "When you bring in more bodies, you bring in more stores."

"(You) have assets," Jensen continued. "You should be getting more out of these assets."

Plattner felt Interstate 70, which she called a "strong asset," was going to be the key to a tourism boom.

Dawson said I-70 was a "golden opportunity."

Jensen also said there was a need for Sweet Springs to be unique.

"How are you going to differentiate yourselves?" he asked.

Renewing town pride, along with working together, was a common goal of many in attendance.

"If you don't have this (unity), I don't know how you're going to get the rest of it done," said Jensen. "This is not something you can say 'city, get this done'."

"You have to invest in yourself," said Plattner.

Brown discussed the need to take advantage of opportunities within the community.

"Most jobs are created from within," he said, stressing that it is easier to expand current businesses than attract new ones.

Roy Hunter of MSDC hoped this would be the first in a series of economic meetings.

He told the group he would, "put these ideas on paper" and send notification for another meeting within 60 days.

Hunter was pleased with the turnout, which he estimated to be at least 56 people. He said similar events usually draw about half that number.

Contact Travis Watts at

marshallreporter@socket.net