July 29, 2022
Community welcomes Carlisle Construction Materials to Sikeston
SIKESTON — Carlisle Construction Materials got an official welcome to the community Thursday night with a Business After Hours Mixer held at Montgomery Bank. “There’s a lot going on in Sikeston,” said Michelle Worth, commercial relationship manager with Montgomery Bank. ...
By David Jenkins/Standard Democrat
SIKESTON — Carlisle Construction Materials got an official welcome to the community Thursday night with a Business After Hours Mixer held at Montgomery Bank.
“There’s a lot going on in Sikeston,” said Michelle Worth, commercial relationship manager with Montgomery Bank. “New construction, new schools being built, existing businesses expanding, new industry bringing new jobs. It’s just an exciting time for Sikeston and we are thrilled that Carlisle Construction is investing in our city and will part of the future growth of our community.”
In April of 2021, Carlisle Construction Materials announced it was investing $62 million and creating 100-plus new jobs at a new production and manufacturing facility in Sikeston.
The new 455,000 square foot facility will be located on 124 acres in the Sikeston South Industrial Park.
Marcie Lawson, president/CEO of the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation, said she was fortunate to be part of the team who brought Carlisle Construction Materials to Sikeston.
“The reason it was so successful — and I really got to watch this — was because we were ready,” Lawson said. “We had the land, we got it certified through the Missouri Partnership and our focus was on industrial growth and everybody came together as a community and made sure we were ready.”
The City of Sikeston continues to prepare for the business as they are working with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the government and other groups to prepare the infrastructure on the south part of town.
Sikeston Mayor Greg Turnbow said commissioners in New Madrid County are working to get the road bid out for the outer road and getting a lot of things done for the overpass the City of Sikeston will rebid very soon.
On Monday, the Sikeston City Council awarded the bid to widen Highway 61 and the outer road bid has already been awarded as have bids for components for a new stoplight after Highway 61 is widened.
“When it comes 2023 and Carlisle is out there in production they’ll have easy access to get on and off the highway,” Turnbow said.
Josh Hartman, plant manager with Carlisle Construction Materials, said this part of the country has some of the hardest working people he’s met.
“To have a manufacturing facility here in this part of the country I know that we’ll draw some good people from this area,” Hartman said. “I want to have this awesome culture and build something here that is really special for Carlisle and for the City.”
Hartman, who went to high school in Springfield and his wife in Kansas, said the City has been very welcoming.
“I’ve heard but nothing but good stuff from all the plant employees,” Hartman said. “We’re excited to get this thing moving.”
While Carlisle Construction Materials investing in Sikeston has been big for the City, officials see more growth on the way.
“If we were to bring Carlisle here again, we’re not selling the same Sikeston,” Lawson said. “We’re selling a Sikeston that already has a Carlisle Construction Materials with another 100-plus jobs. We have a Sikeston that has seen our existing industries grow in a way we’ve seen (in some time).”
Lawson added that economic development might look a little bit different in the next 3-5 years than the last 3-5 years.
“We’re going to be focusing on increasing our housing, developing our work force, making sure we have adequate child care so that everyone who wants to be in the work force, can be in the work force,” Lawson said. “And truly just that community pride, reminding ourselves ‘we are Sikeston.’”
Lawson said the community has to work together in order to continue to grow so when the next industrial growth, “we’ll be ready.”
Turnbow said Carlisle Construction Materials is living proof that Sikeston is committed to growth.
“Carlisle confirms that if we can do this we can do anything,” Turnbow said. “This is just the starting point. We are going to keep on going, keep on growing and only thing I ask you to do is get involved, help us out and do everything you can do to help the City of Sikeston. Carlisle Construction Materials, welcome home.”
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