Jackson hopes to lure jobs with new spec building

The Jackson Industrial Development Co.'s speculative building, approved and begun last year, is taking shape on a six-acre lot in the Jackson industrial park on Route PP.

A speculative building is being erected in the Jackson industrial park.Glenn Landberg

Janet Sanders, Jackson's building and planning superintendent, said contractor Penzel Construction already has the building framed up.

Brian Gerau, director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the 50,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed by the end of April as long as there are no setbacks in construction.

"Right now, it is your traditional speculative building," Gerau said. "There's no buildouts inside. The intention is to allow the builder to build it out on the inside to suit their needs, which is a great draw to potential companies."

A speculative building is being erected in the Jackson industrial park.Glenn Landberg

By providing a ready-built space, the JIDC aims to lure business into Jackson.

To that end, Gerau said the JIDC has been courting businesses to fill the space.

"We've gotten a little bit of interest in the building. We work very closely with [local economic development not-for-profit] Magnet, and they do a fantastic job of marketing. We've been reaching out to our different economic development partners around the state, working hard to get someone in that building."

A speculative building is being erected in the Jackson industrial park.Glenn Landberg

Those partners include the Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Partnership and the Missouri Economic Development Committee.

Gerau said the JIDC hasn't put a price tag on the space yet, but it will be set once the building is closer to completion.

A speculative building is being erected in the Jackson industrial park.Glenn Landberg

Last year, the spec building was the third-largest development project in Jackson, costing roughly $1.4 million to build.

The JIDC has proved it's capable of luring industry to Jackson in the past, having successfully courted B&B Door, American Railcar Industry and several other enterprises.

"One of the reasons we're building this and taking on a project like a spec building is we're trying to increase jobs in Jackson and increase business growth," Gerau said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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