YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
BY: John Lee McLaughlin, ReporterThen: Legal counsel for Springfield-Branson National Airport
Now: Director of economic development, City of Springfield
After a stint representing Springfield-Branson National Airport, Sarah Kerner climbed the municipal ladder – spanning Public Works, the Springfield-Green County Health Department and city Planning & Development – until reaching her current post as director of economic development in October 2015.
She cites two major highlights during the past nearly 10 years: Helping develop a more than $33 million local expansion of Kraft Heinz Co. and a nearly $40 million expansion of Springfield operations for 3M.
“They added 100 jobs and did major capital investments,” Kerner says. “That was really cool to be a part of.”
On the home front, two kiddos joined the Kerner family ranks – a pair of boys now age 4 and 7 years old.
A safe room and classroom addition at Willard Central Elementary School will be used by the music, arts and athletic programs for a district that had 4,536 students last year, according to Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education figures, but school officials say enrollment is projected to grow.
