By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
As the year comes to a close, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce is celebrating some of the successes of 2025.
President Natalie Hawn says there were some big wins around economic development and expanding businesses in St. Joseph, such as Daily’s Premium Meats and Schutz [SHOOTS] Container Systems.
Hawn says she believes that expanding current businesses in St. Joseph is almost more important than focusing on bringing in new ventures
“You’re never going to not chase that new business or make sure that we’re expanding into industry that would be great in St. Joseph,” Hawn says on the KFEQmunnity show. “But we also have to make sure that the companies that are already invested here, are already employing here, have everything they need to be successful and making sure they can grow and continue to have a great business here in St. Joseph.”
Hawn says the current employers are very important and making sure they have the resources be successful and want to continue growing in St. Joseph.
Hawn says another big win this year was a housing study and implementation, which will help develop more middle-class housing for the St. Joseph workforce.
Hawn says while it won’t be developed until hopefully next year, a 178-unit housing complex near the North Village Shoppes was announced this year
“So we’re hoping with rents that are affordable for that young engineer at Altec or that UMKC Med student, some of the folks that we know are having a hard time finding housing in our market, and they’re driving from Platte City, Kearney, Kansas City, and when you talk to them they don’t want to be driving from other communities, they just can’t find appropriate affordable housing here,” Hawn explains.
Hawn says whether it’s housing or an apartment, that middle class housing was the biggest gap, with the study currently revealing a 24-month waiting period for that type of housing.
One final big win for the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce was the soft launch of the Launch Pad. The Chamber secured a Missouri Technology Corporation Infrastructure Grant to help build the Launch Pad
Hawn says the Launch Pad, which should officially launch next year, is a one stop place for entrepreneurs to be successful
“So we don’t really currently have a coworking space, where you can just land and co-work in St. Joseph, there are several spaces with great affordable offices for entrepreneurs, but we don’t have that one place to come and learn about all of the resources for entrepreneurs,” Hawn says.
Hawn says the space will have things such as pitch nights for tech start-ups, but also other things for any kind of small business or entrepreneur. and points out these events will focus on the region, not just Chamber members.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
