City of Piedmont

Piedmont City Hall

     Piedmont, a community of 2,166 according to the 2000 census, is situated in the northwest portion of Wayne County. Average temperatures range from 17 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 91 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The city, its chamber of commerce, and the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission work together to foster economic development for Piedmont.

     Mayor William Kirkpatrick and the four-member city council serve the municipality from city hall at 127 N. Main. Citizens are protected by seven full-time police officers and 11 volunteer firemen. In 1999, Wayne County reported a per capita income of $15,137.

     Out of a 3,610-person workforce in Wayne County, 3,200 are employed. The unemployment rate is 11.4 percent with 410 out of work. The average hourly wage for the county is $8.02 per hour in the manufacturing sector, and $7.46 in non-manufacturing. Piedmont is proud to be the home of McAllister Software, Specialty Brands, Nu-Dell Plastics, and Corlair Corporation. The county's other major employers include Clearwater Schools, which employs 171; Piedmont Schools, with 130 employees; Wal-Mart in Piedmont, 73 associates; Piedmont Healthcare, 58; and Ralph's Supermarket, with 54 workers.

Piedmont Muncipal Airport (MO9). Location: 2 mi. SW of city. Coordinates: N37-07.60; W090-42.77. Mag var: 2E. Navaids: FAM 115.7.214.40. Telephone: 573/223-4114, 573/223-4300, 573/223-2560. Fax: 573/223-4052. Hours: 6:30 am to 3:30 pm wkdays; ireg wkends. Elevation: 467. Pattern altitudes: 1267 MSL all aircraft. Runways: 3-21 3,300 x 60, asphalt rfsc; right tfc ry 3, treas ea end, lights PCL. Lights: aft 2 am, 122.8 (5 clicks in 5 sec, med intensity); beacon. Fees: hangar. FSS: Saint Louis 122.65, 122.2. Com freq: UNICOM/CTAF 122.8. Charts: Kansas City; L21. Taxis: Piedmont 573/223-2719. Notes: RC models, ultralights.

     Black River Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Fredericktown, provides electric power for Piedmont. Natural gas is obtained from United Cities Gas in Jackson. The city offers both sewer and water services for its residents, with the Black River as the source of its water. The city has a plant and storage capacity of 627,000 gallons. Peak consumption is 550,000 gallons a day. The city's force main-3 cell lagoon sewer system has a capacity of 1,000,000 gallons. Telephone service is provided by Alltel. Residents and businesses obtain internet service from a local internet service provider in Poplar Bluff and one in Piedmont.

     There are two clinics in Piedmont. Residents travel 35 miles for more involved health care.

     Missouri Highways 49 and 34 and County Roads HH and B serve as the main thoroughfares for Piedmont travelers. It is 35 miles to the nearest four-lane highway, and Interstate 55 is 65 miles east. The city has its own airport, with a 3,300-foot paved and lighted runway. Private aircraft storage, fuel, and air freight service are available at the Piedmont Memorial Airport. Cape Girardeau Regional Airport is the closest commercial airport at 85 miles east. Union Pacific is the commercial railroad serving Piedmont.

     Piedmont children attend public elementary, middle, and high school in town. There are also a private elementary and high school available to Piedmont students. The nearest public community college, Three Rivers Community College, is located in Poplar Bluff and boasts an enrollment of 2,824 (Fall, 2001). Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center is available for students seeking training in vocational skills. Southeast Missouri State University, a public four-year college located in Cape Girardeau, MO, is the nearest higher learning facility. Fall, 2001, enrollment for the university was 9,352 students.

     There are nine Protestant churches and one Catholic church serving the community's spiritual needs. Residents keep up with local news through the weekly hometown newspaper and radio station. Cable television is available to the area residents. There is a motel in Piedmont, and a public library. Within a 20-mile radius, locals can enjoy a country club, public golf course, four public parks, and two tennis courts. Clearwater Youth Center, a source of pride for the community, is available for a variety of activities.

     Besides the beautiful scenery of the area, Clearwater Lake and Sam A. Baker State Park are nearby. Young and old can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking/fitness/nature trails, and swimming. Annual rainfall for the area averages 46 inches a year.

     The community is part of the 156th Missouri State Representative District and the 25th State Senatorial District. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R) represents Piedmont in the Eighth United States Congressional District.