MOBERLY, Mo. (AP) — An auction of assets left over from Moberly’s failed artificial sweetener factory drew curious onlookers and piecemeal bidders Wednesday but no large company swooping in to replace a project once cast as the small city’s economic salvation.

Reporters and curiosity seekers outnumbered prospective buyers at the Mamtek U.S. Inc. auction in a Moberly hotel ballroom. More than 50 online bidders vied with the dozen-or-so who were there in the flesh.