New Recycling Center Could Transform Jobs For Adults With Disabilities — Local Businesses Can Help | Lake of the Ozarks Community News

CAMDENTON, Mo. — Every person deserves the dignity of a good day’s work. Since 1983, Lake Area Industries has been turning that belief into reality by providing meaningful employment for adults with developmental disabilities in Camden County.

Now, LAI is calling on Missouri business owners to help them build a safer, warmer, and far more impactful future for those adults.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has awarded LAI $349,562 in 70% Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits. These credits are a powerful tool designed to build up the local community. When a Missouri business owner utilizes these 70% tax credits and itemizes their federal tax deductions, their state and federal tax liability can be reduced by over 95%. It turns standard tax dollars into a direct, lasting investment right here at home.

The Project

The funding will completely transform LAI’s community program by building a brand-new recycling center. Currently, the recycling team operates out of a drafty, repurposed 1950s lean-to structure. Cardboard baling takes place inside an unheated and uncooled warehouse using an inefficient vertical baler.

The new expansion will completely change their working conditions:

Safety & Comfort: Bringing dock foam recycling entirely indoors, offering year-round climate control processing and improving working conditions in both foam and shredding processes.
Ergonomic Innovation: Installing a new horizontal cardboard baler with a feed conveyor that will be significantly safer and easier for employees to operate.
Community Impact: Increasing the facility's recycling capacity to handle four times the volume of cardboard from local businesses and residents.

Leading the Way

Randy Dickerson, President of Innovative Procurement, one of LAI's largest commercial packaging and assembly customer, has already stepped up as the project's champion with a $10,000 NAP-eligible donation.

"Innovative Procurement is our largest local customer, and we are so grateful for their deep belief and support of our mission," said Natalie Couch, Executive Director of LAI. "Our employees are incredibly dedicated. They love to work, and they take immense pride in what they do, and our customers are the ones who make that possible. Our recycling services fill the gaps between projects to keep our entire team working while helping us connect with the community we love."

She adds a poignant reminder: "LAI has been a cornerstone of Camdenton since 1983, but many people still don't realize we are here—or just how vital these jobs are to the wonderful people we serve."

How Missouri Business Owners Can Help

While Innovative Procurement has beautifully paved the way, LAI now needs more Missouri business leaders to follow their example. Over the next three years, LAI must secure local business partnerships to utilize the remaining $342,562 in tax credits and bring this dream to life for their 60 employees. Supporting LAI is more than a smart financial decision; it is a commitment to keeping tax dollars local, protecting our environment, and championing a dedicated workforce that simply asks for the opportunity to contribute.

To learn how your business can save significantly on taxes while changing lives, please contact Natalie Couch at director@lakeareaindustries.org or call 573-346-7934.

About Lake Area Industries

Lake Area Industries is a 501(c)(3) extended employment sheltered workshop located in Camdenton, Mo. LAI provides meaningful employment to 60 adults with disabilities by offering packaging and assembly services, secure document destruction, mobile work crews, and extensive community recycling including cardboard, dock foam, electronics, and household hazardous waste. They also operate the local retail nursery Gifted Gardens and the food counter at the Missouri Trap Shooting Association.