The Launch Dock

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By Merchant Ship Collective

What Are They Building in New Florence?

In New Florence, Missouri, a new data center is quietly taking shape. Behind the scenes are business partnerships, economic committees, and government incentives — but very little public conversation. For a project touted as “good for the community,” the silence has been loud.

When entrepreneurs and leaders build in darkness, they don’t just risk failure — they risk losing trust. Transparency isn’t just a moral choice; it’s a business strategy that builds sustainability and long-term credibility.

Integrity Is Good Business

Whether you lead a startup or a city, you can’t hide behind half-truths and expect people to follow. The moment you choose secrecy over honesty, you exchange trust for temporary control.

The New Florence data center appears to be a public-private partnership (P3) — where public resources and private interests intersect. When done right, these partnerships create jobs and revitalize communities. When done poorly or secretly, they breed suspicion and division.

Understanding the Business Model — Public-Private Partnerships in Plain Terms

In a P3:

Public agencies offer land, tax breaks, or infrastructure support.

Private companies invest capital and operate the project.

Citizens assume part of the risk through tax dollars and community impact.

That’s why transparency isn’t a courtesy — it’s a requirement for ethical leadership.

Entrepreneurial Parallel — Transparency Scales Trust

As a public school teacher turned entrepreneur, I’ve learned that when people have access to all the facts, they make better decisions — in classrooms and boardrooms alike. Research shows that fully informed individuals make choices that are 75–90 percent more accurate than those based on limited information (Lundgren & Prislin, 2018; Kahneman, 2011). The Pew Research Center (2023) found that citizens with access to local data are 2.5 times more likely to trust leaders and participate in decision-making.

The lesson is universal: When people know the truth, they almost always choose what’s right. Transparency is how trust scales.

Action Step — Know Your Rights as a Citizen and Business Owner

If you’re concerned about the New Florence project — or any local development that affects you — you have the right to access public records under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo).

How to File a Request:

1. Identify the agency (city, county, or state office).

2. Be specific in your request for contracts, meeting minutes, or emails related to the project.

3. Send your request in writing to the records custodian.

4. Expect a response within three business days.

5. If denied, contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Office to appeal.

Transparency isn’t a favor — it’s a legal right.

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Faith and Fortitude — The Final Word

When you seek truth in a world that rewards secrecy, you’ll face resistance. People may try to convince you that doing the right thing is wrong — that asking questions is “troublemaking.”

“When someone tries to convince you that seeking the truth and doing the right thing is wrong, remember — the only strength you need comes from God.”

Courageous entrepreneurs and ethical leaders don’t need permission to be honest. They need conviction. Faith anchors truth, and truth sustains legacy.

Reflection for Leaders

Are you leading your business with the same transparency you demand from others?

How can you build community trust through your business practices?

What does it look like to balance strategy and faith in your leadership?

In solidarity,

Lyndsay LaBrier

The Merchant Ship Collective

References

Hattie, J. (2012). Visible learning for teachers: Maximizing impact on learning. Routledge.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Lundgren, S. R., & Prislin, R. (2018). Motivated reasoning and attitude change: A re-examination of the effects of message elaboration. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 12(2), e12370.

Missouri Attorney General’s Office. (2024). Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo). https://ago.mo.gov/missouri-law/sunshine-law

Pew Research Center. (2023). Public trust and civic engagement in local government.