Boone County Touts 2018 Investments
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Boone County Economic Corp. is touting a large increase in investment commitments in 2018. The organization says 16 companies chose to locate or expand in the county this year with plans to hire more than 1,300 workers and invest more than $279 million over the next few years. The investment total is a 45 percent increase over 2017.
Boone EDC Executive Director Molly Whitehead says the deals are expected to bring a tax impact of more than $18 million. She adds the average pay for the new jobs committed this year is more than $25 per hour.
"Looking ahead at 2019, you can expect the Boone EDC to take the lead on workforce development issues in Boone County in addition to continuing our efforts to seek the right economic development opportunities for our community," Whitehead said in a news release. “We also plan to continue our small business education series as well as grow our microloan program.”
Among the new companies locating in the county, three are based in Japan. Whitehead recently completed a trip to Japan to visit with representatives of the six Japanese companies that have a presence in Boone County.
The organization also this year hired Rachel Huser as its new economic development manager. In her new role, she will assist with business attraction and expansion projects for both small and large businesses, as well as provide guidance and connections to startups and existing businesses.