Jackson seeks repeat success with new structure

Leaders in the Jackson business community hope the Jackson Industrial Development Co.’s new speculative building, unveiled Tuesday, will enjoy the same successes as those that have come before it.

The success of two past projects in particular bodes well for the current structure.

The facilities of American Railcar Industries and Midwest Sterilization in the Jackson Industrial Park started as spec buildings and since have flourished.

“The first one, ARI, I don’t think it lasted a year [before being leased],” Jackson Alderman Phil Penzel said. “And the other one, they wanted it before we were even done with it.”

Brian Sievers, president of the Jackson Industrial Development Co., said all signs indicate similar results at this point.

Jackson officials and residents tour Jackson Industrial Development Company's new speculative building during an open house Tuesday.Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian

“This community was serious about this idea,” he said, complimenting the construction and dedication of those involved. “It’s going to be an easy sell.”

The 50,000-square foot building at 2550 Industrial Lane stands bare for now.

But where some may see an empty building, potential investors may see opportunity.

Penzel said the building was designed to be as attractive to potential businesses as possible in addition to being customizable.

The structure has public water, sewer and electricity, 44 planned parking spaces and a 39-foot-tall ceiling in the center. The rest of the 8.8-acre lot, Penzel said, has been pregraded to facilitate expansion, and the load-bearing elements of the building are designed to hold hanging support systems.

Designers kept lighting to a minimum, he said, and didn’t install more than the one small bay door.

“Because wherever we put ’em, they’d be wrong,” he joked, adding whatever business ends up occupying the space will be able to add doors to serve its purposes more easily than retrofitting ill-designed doors.

The physical attributes on-site are only part of the appeal. The building is just south of the Jackson Industrial Park on Route PP, meaning it’s only 1 1/2 miles from the nearest four-lane highway, 6 miles from the nearest interstate and 8 1/2 miles from the nearest commercial airport, officials said.

Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs recognized the groups involved in the building’s construction.

Among those attending the ribbon-cutting were representatives from the half-dozen local banks that provided the loans for the construction, as well as leaders from Magnet and the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Projects like these come with risks,” Hahs said. “But with measured risk, there can come success.”

Penzel said the building did not exceed the expected cost of $1.2 million to $1.4 million.

“We don’t know just yet, because not all the bills have come in yet, but it will fall between [$1.2 million and $1.4 million] or less,” Penzel said.

Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce director Brian Gerau said the next step is marketing the building to potential clients. More business means more jobs, which in turn means more population growth, retail, tax revenue, etc. That all culminates in a better community, Hahs said.

“And this building may be located in Jackson, but it will benefit the entire area,” Sievers said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627