Chamber Program to Help Students Make Choices
Thursday, February 16, 2006, C-T Article

Eighth graders at Chillicothe Middle School, Bishop Hogan Memorial School, Southwest R-I and Livingston County R-3, will get a first-hand look at how the academic decisions they make today will have a lasting impact on their future through a volunteer-led program, aptly called Choices, sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials say the program has benefited millions of students in the U.S., Canada and Australia since its inception in 1983.

Interactive sessions designed to help students increase their awareness of how decisions made in the early teen years affect career and life options in the future will be presented by Chamber member business volunteers during social studies class periods in all of the participating schools during a two-day period before school ends in May. 

Time and money management are two of the topics that will be covered in the program.

Social Security's Web Site for Women: At the "For Women" web site, you can find basic information about retirement, survivors, disability, supplemental security income, and Medicare benefits.

CPR & AED Training Available: If your organization would like to know more about the AED machine (automated external defibrillator), call Sherry Weldon at the Hedrick Occupational Health office at 660 646 4611. Sherry is also available to conduct a presentation on this machine which delivers an electric current to the heart muscle so it can resume beating effectively in the event of a heart attack resulting in cardiac arrest.

Reminders:

• Visit the Arts page on this web site for full details on the new Arts season.

Mudcats Baseball
The Chillicothe Mudcats are our collegiate summer wood-bat baseball team. Visit the Mudcats web site for details or call Amy Supple of the Greater Chillicothe Visitors Region at 646-4050 or 1-800-C-Chilli.

WELCOME ALL NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS STARTING IN 2009!

• American Legion (Vern R. Glick Post 25)

• Anytime Fitness

• Asset Loan Solution

• C&S Custom Door

• Comfort Inn & Suites

• EAA Chapter 944

• Hometown’s Healthy Living Store

• Denise James

• Pam Jarding

• Lifestyle Family Nutrition

• Livingston County Health Center

• MW Electric Supply

• My Secret Garden Floral & Gifts

• Nico’z Catering/Eatery

• Northwest Behavioral Health Consultants

• PC's Elkhorn Steakhouse

• Quiznos

• Roger's Pawn & Gun

• Nancie Saccaro

• Alaska House

• Catfish Designs & Sign Shop

• Chillicothe Farmers Market

• Community Blood Center

• Corporate Express

• Countrywide Home Loans

• Dowell Kincaid - Farm Bureau Insurance

• Foster Heating & Air Conditioning

• Home Beautiful

• Koehler Home Sales

• Livingston County Title Company, LLC

• Mautino Cycle Center

• Mel Gregg - Grand River Insurance

• Mike & Jeanne Lair

• Missouri Mobile Concrete

• National Real Estate Buyers

• Papa's Auto Sales/Repair/Towing/Detail

• Reece & Nichols Williams & Associates

• Scott E. Ellis Allstate Insurance

• Security Finance & Tax Service

• Show-Me Christian Youth Home

• Sutton Dentistry

• Thieme Painting & Wallpapering

• Todd Rodenberg

• Walgreens

• www.travl-shop.com

2009 Membership Plaque

WELCOME ALL NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS STARTING IN 2007!

• A Cut Above

• Aflac

• American Red Cross

• Anderson Consulting Services, LLC

• Century 21 Smith & Associates

• Chillicothe Area Multiple Sclerosis

• Chillicothetrading.com

• Country Corner Craft & Antique Mall

• DaVita, Inc.

• Donacyn Travel

• Grand River BBQ & Fly-In

• Grand River Technical School

• Haney, Chuck

• Highview Baptist Church

• Hopper Electric

• Horizon Housing Foundation

• Kitchen Konnections

• KRNW Public Radio Station (KXCV)

• Livingston County 4-H and FFA Fair

• Livingston County C2000 Team

• Livingston County Multipurpose Senior Center

• Marceline Mapping

• Market America, Unfranchise Owners

• Munday, Timothy D.

• Newkirk Cleaning Co.

• North MO Outdoor Classic

• Piece of Cake Event Catering (new owners)

• Prenger's Quick Lube & Laser Wash

• Regional Hospice

• Renner Construction Management

• Sebastian's Italian Dining

• Sharp Focus Video LLC

• Sweet Boutique

• The Steakhouse

• World Finance Corporation

03 23 07

Dear Chamber Member:
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during the preparation of the brand new Chamber Membership plaque. We think it was worth the wait! This plaque will take the place of your wooden plaque and offers a fresh new look with each passing year. The plaque serves as a frame for an annual insert that is chosen from Chamber members who submit insert designs. This year's winner was Scott Rule, graphic designer, of Big Dog Studio, a current Chamber member. Your membership plaque will be hand delivered to you shortly. However, if you wish, you may stop by the Chamber office and pick up your plaque as soon as you would like.

WELCOME ALL NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS STARTING IN 2006!

• Access II Independent Living Center

• Applebee's

• AT&T

• Big Deals Discount

• Boji Stone Coffee Shop/Bookstore

• BTC Bank

• C's Cafe'

• Chillicothe Bootery & Shoe Repair

• Chillicothe Plumbing Supply

• Chillicothe Rotary Club

• China Garden Buffet

• Da-Com Corporation

• Ed Douglas, CFP

• Empire District Gas Company

• Fellhoelter Electric, LLC

• First Presbyterian Church

• Five Star Insulators

• Future Business Leaders of America

• Grand River Harmony Chorus

• Gray Electric

• Green Hills Community Action Agency

• Helping Hand of Goodwill Industries

• Hometown Medical

• Horton's Import Repair

• Humana, Inc

• J.C. Business Services

• Lawns Unlimited & Country Hills Nursery, Inc.

• Livingston Manor Care Center

• Lowe's Home Improvement

• MFA Agri Service

• Midwest Suppliers Discount Store

• Movie Gallery

• MS Contracting Country Estates Vinyl Fence

• NorthTown Business Center

• Nibarger Insurance Services

• Oertwig Heating and Cooling

• One Dollar Shop

• Piece of Cake

• Pizza Hut

• Pure N Simple

• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

• Richard's Pack-N-Ship Plus

• River Bluffs Architects

• Shady Valley Court and RV Park

• Shell Auto Detailing

• St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

• Uptown Buffet

• U.S. Army Career Center

• Victories Bar & Grill

• Wabash BBQ

• Warren Law Office, LLC

WELCOME ALL NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS STARTING IN 2005!

• American Family Insurance (Brian Hecker)

• American Family Insurance (Janet McCauslin)

• Aunt Nancy's Pampered Pets

• Better Way, LLC

• Botts and Tye Corporation

• Brookshier, Dean and Nonie

• Business and Professional Women

• CheckPro Service Center

• Chillicothe Area Arts Council

• Chillicothe License Office

• Circle of Life Community Hospice and Palliative Care

• Cintas

• City Stage

• Cole Family Chiropractic Clinic, PC

• datacomm

• Father and Daughter Antiques and Collectibles

• Gear for Sports Factory Outlet

• Grand River Entertainment

• Johnston Rental & Supply Co.

• Maurices

• Mike Miller Auction Service

• Minnick Supply Company

• Miss Bryn's Country Charm

• Money Concepts

• Movie Gallery

• Mrs. Missouri America

• Parks, Sherry

• Prime Media Productions

• Principal's Office Gift Shop (The)

• Rumery & Associates

• State Farm Insurance (Chris Trout)

• Strand Apartments

• T&R Soil Service (new owners - Butterfield & Associates Grain)

• The Fast Lane

If you have a web site, please send the URL to Cathy Smith, Chamber Secretary,
so it can be included on our web site.

 NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS 2004

• All Ways Creative

• Beijing Restaurant

• Birthright

• Bishop Hogan Memorial School

• Covenant Rehab Clinic

• Dean Machinery Co.

• Doctor David Lebsack, DDS

• Domino's Pizza

• El Toro Restaurant

• Elite Roofing

• Fastenal Company

• GEAR For Sports Retail Outlet

• Grace Weekend Clinic

• Grand River Quail Unlimited

• Greener bp Shop

• H&R Block, Charles Parrish, Owner

• Heritage Funeral Home

• Images Hair & Tanning

• J. Crowe Photography, Jason & Brooke Crow, Owners

• Deanna Kepner

• Koenig Law Firm, LLC

• Lebsack, David M., DDS, MS

• Lincare, Inc.

• Livingston County Farm Bureau, Marilou Whiteside

• Livingston Medical Groups, Anurita G. Kapur

• Missouri Communications

• Murphy Oil USA

• Murphy Watson Burr Eye Center

• Natural Corner

• North Missouri Internet Marketing

• Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Donnie Moxley

• Premier Eyecare Associates, Bob Sloan, Bruce Brodmerkle, Jan Jackson

• Saber Air, Inc. of Missouri

• Sewell Agency, Inc.

• Sophisticuts

• Swearingin Advertising & Marketing

• United Methodist Church

• Wal*Mart Super Center

• Washburn, Scott (Law Offices)

• Washington Street Food & Drink, Tony Geib, Manager

Dedication Ceremony For Information Station
Published: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, C-T

Leadership Chillicothe is an innovative program designed to motivate emerging leaders and develop their potential for community leadership by acquainting them with the opportunities, realities and challenges of our community.

Upon completion of Leadership Chillicothe, each graduate should leave with:

• A comprehensive understanding of Chillicothe’s strengths & weaknesses
• A comprehensive understanding of their own personal strengths & weaknesses
• Enhanced Leadership Skills
• An increased level of commitment and participation in the Chillicothe Community

2009 Program Schedule & Participation Expectations
Note: Since we had no applicants for Leadership 2009, we will try again in the Fall - we hope you can join us!
The class members will be actively participating in an eleven-session program beginning Tuesday, January 27th and running weekly through Tuesday, April 7th. Leadership Chillicothe is a tuition-based program, with 11 sessions built around a curriculum of community issues. Additional program content will include a comprehensive book review of Steven Covey’s “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, and leadership skills training that focus on networking, public speaking, project management, diversity training, SWOT analysis, and more. Near the conclusion, participants will develop a personal (or team) action plan for a community betterment project. An 80% attendance record is required to qualify for a certificate of graduation. Sessions are scheduled Tuesday afternoons, running from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (with the exception of the Feb 3rd Great Northwest Day at the Capitol). There will also be a Graduation Banquet at the program’s conclusion. 

Tuition
The total cost to participants for Leadership Chillicothe 2009 is $350 for Chamber members and $450 for non-chamber members. Applications received prior to December 31st and approved will receive a $50 discount. Tuition is used to defray the expenses of speakers, handouts, meals, tours and other incidental costs in facilitating the program. Checks should be made payable to the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce. The full tuition is due by Friday, January 20th, 2009.

Application
To apply for participation in Leadership Chillicothe 2009, mail, fax, or email a completed application to the Chamber office. Applications must be received by the Chamber office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9th, 2009. To obtain additional application copies, either stop by the Chamber office or go to their website at www.chillicothemo.com. 

Application as a Word document
(You may save this to your computer, complete it, resave it, and email it back
to us as an attachment to office@chillicothemo.com.)

Application as a PDF file
(May be opened, viewed, printed, and completed,
then faxed or mailed to us at the address shown on the application.)

Leadership Chillicothe 2009 Steering Committee

• Steve Holt, Small Business Development Center;
• Julie Jones, Hedrick Medical Center

Leadership Chillicothe 2008 Project Nears Fruition;
Downtown Kiosk Ordered
Friday, January 23, 2009, C-T

All Aboard! The Chillicothe Information Station will soon be pulling into town. The kiosk structure is an initiative of the Leadership Chillicothe Class of 2008 and will be located on the grounds of the Livingston County Courthouse.

According to the Greater Chillicothe Visitors Region Director Amy Supple, the structure has been custom ordered and is en route to Chillicothe. The group will plan an installation and dedication ceremony in the near future. “The information station will be a self-contained stop for gathering info on Chillicothe,” Supple explained. She added, “ It will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will feature maps and brochures as well as lists of attractions, coming events, hotels, restaurants and shops for visitors.”

There are a limited number of brochure spaces available. Businesses can purchase a brochure space on The Information Station for $100 a year. The space would be reserved for printed material about their particular business. Supple advised business owners to reserve their spot by calling the Chamber office at 646-4050.

Each side of the four-sided structure features the logo of a major sponsor. “We were fortunate enough to have four local businesses step forward to be major donors for this project,” said Liz Fechtig, class member and fundraising chair for the project. “Without their support this would still be just an idea rather than a great addition to our community.” The four major donors are Citizens Bank & Trust, Hedrick Medical Center, Midwest Gloves and Gear and Pepsi Cola Bottling. Additional funding and support for the Chillicothe Information Station came from the Mervyn W. Jenkins Foundation, the City of Chillicothe, the Main Street Chillicothe Program, Chillicothe Development Corporation, the Greater Chillicothe Visitors Region, Livingston County, the Rotary Foundation, Farmers Electric Cooperative and the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce.

Leadership Chillicothe is sponsored by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce. The Leadership Chillicothe Class of 2008 was comprised of Janet Anderson, Gary Dudley, Liz Fechtig, Betsy Keithley, Crystal Narr, Karen Shannon, Amy Supple, Ron Urton and Corey Williams. The facilitators were Steve Holt, Julie Jones and Charles Parrish. The Leadership Chillicothe Class of 2008 extends their sincere appreciation to all of those who made this project possible.

Leadership Chillicothe 2008

Click for a closer view

Graduates 2008
Back Row: Ron Urton, Gary Dudley, & Corey Williams
Front Row: Crystal Narr, Amy Supple, Betsy Keighley & Liz Fechtig
Not pictured: Janet Anderson
C-T Photo by Catherine Stortz-Ripley

These 8 leaders embarked on a journey in all things Chillicothe. A graduation ceremony was held at the Chillicothe Country Club on Tuesday, April 22. We look forward to offering this again next year!

Leadership Chillicothe is an innovative program designed to motivate emerging leaders and develop their potential for community leadership by acquainting them with the opportunities, realities and challenges of our community. The class members will be actively participating in an eleven-session program beginning Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 and running weekly through Tuesday, April 8th, 2008.

Upon completion of Leadership Chillicothe, each graduate should leave with:

• A comprehensive understanding of Chillicothe’s strengths & weaknesses
• A comprehensive understanding of their own personal strengths & weaknesses
• Enhanced leadership skills
• An increased level of commitment and participation in the Chillicothe Community

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If your business would like to host a Business Card Exchange, please call the Chamber office at 646 4050 or email us.

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Carson Barnes Circus

Last held in 2002, the Circus returned to town October 4, 2004!

With 5 rings, over 100 exotic and domestic animals, and a host of performers from around the world, the Carson & Barnes Circus rolled into Chillicothe for two performances on Monday, October 4. Hosted by the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Hy-Vee, the Carson & Barnes Circus is the largest traditional big-top circus touring America today. The Chamber hosted this circus in 2002, and, as in 2002, the circus set up on the grounds north of Chillicothe High School. Its 300-foot tent is longer than a football field and it takes a space equal to three football fields for the entire circus community to unfold.

Rated “G”, with no sensationalism, foul language, or violence of any kind, the Carson & Barnes Circus can be billed as fast-paced action-filled family entertainment. The audience saw lions, tigers and ligers mix in the same cage, acrobats perform death-defying stunts at the peak of the big top, and were entertained by flying trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, and the mammoth elephants.

Early circus morning, the public was invited to see the elephants pull the big poles up in the tent and visit the large traveling zoo featuring exotic and domestic animals as they were unloaded, watered and fed. Many of the species are rare and endangered such as the hippo, giraffe, zebu, zonkie, zebra, camels and both Asian and African elephants.

Advance tickets for the two performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. were sold at Hy-Vee in Chillicothe at special prices. All proceeds from the sale of the ADVANCE tickets helped your local Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chillicothe Commerce Center 646-4050.

The circus last held June 5, 2002, drew over 2,000 people from Chillicothe and the surrounding area. The money the Chamber earned through sponsoring the circus will be applied to the Freedom Festival, Chautauqua in the Park, Holiday Parade, and Legislative Day. Thank you to: Dan Dedrick of Chillicothe Livestock Market, LeRoy Butts of CMU, Chris Baker of Baker Mobile Wash, Bob Levy of Chillicothe High School, CMU Water Department, City of Chillicothe, Chillicothe Police Department, Chillicothe RII summer school staff and students, the Livingston County Library, and Connections Plus. Thank you to the Chamber businesses that served as ticket outlets: Citizens Bank and Trust, Chillicothe State Bank, Investors National Bank, Bank Midwest, Hy-Vee, Piggly Wiggly (Chillicothe and Trenton locations) and the Grand River Area Family YMCA.

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LEGISLATIVE DAY

Visit the GNW website by clicking on the image above.

Great Northwest Day Reflects Themes of Unity, Collaboration
Constitution-Tribune, Monday, February 8, 2010

With regional unity and collaboration serving as overarching themes “The 2010 Great Northwest Day at the Capitol” saw more than 250 area constituents stand together as they were introduced in Missouri’s House and Senate on February 2nd. Representing counties and communities, business, education, healthcare and agriculture, this unified show of partnership was only the beginning of a day of advocating for Northwest Missouri.

“We often talk about the importance of working together with our regional neighbors. The Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event is a unique example of ‘successful’ regional cooperation. Arriving at a consensus concerning important issues that affect the region’s 19 counties, and then presenting them in unison to our state’s legislative body, gives this rural region of Missouri a strong voice”, states Becky Cleveland, Co-Chair of Great Northwest Day at the Capitol.

Prior to the announcement of guests at the House and Senate, representatives from the Great Northwest contingent distributed desktop reminders with an invitation to the evening event and a reminder of the identified issues of Northwest Missouri. Throughout the day and throughout the capitol area, the halls were filled with Northwest Missourians bearing “Great Northwest Day at the Capitol” nametags as they toured the Capitol Building, the Governor’s Mansion and visited with Legislators from across the State.

Click on these two photos for a closer view of GNW 2008.
Photos Rich Germinder

A big THANK YOU to our 2008 Legislative Day Sponsors!

Chillicothe Development Corporation
Midwest Gloves & Gear
Farmers’ Electric Cooperative
Bank Midwest
Livingston County Commission
Hutchinson & Co.
Chillicothe State Bank
Investors National Bank
Time Warner Cable
City of Chillicothe
&
Citizens Bank & Trust

The 2008 Event was held on February 5 and 6, 2008.
Monday, February 4th - Pre-Event Dinner with Legislators
Tuesday, February 5th - Main Event - Mardi Gras Theme
Wednesday, February 6th - Breakfast

February 5th:

• 6:45 a.m. - Meet and depart for Jeff City
• 9:45 a.m. - Chillicothe delegation meets, State Capitol, Third Floor, Southside of Rotunda, Near Staircase
• 10:00 am Introduction of Delegation in the Senate
• 10:45 am Introduction of Delegation in the House 
• 11:30 am Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza Ballroom 
• 2:00 pm Community Visits with Legislators or Optional Tours 
• 3:30 pm Community Booth Set-up, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
• 5-8:00 pm Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  (Note: This is an adult event - No one under 21 will be allowed.)
  --Mardi Gras style, food, music, fun and entertainment
  --Community Booths
  --Music by Blue Orleans
  --Dinner Buffet

For more details, visit the Great Northwest Day web site.

2007 Event Memories
(Adobe PDF file)

2006 Event

Press Release February 2, 2006
Contact person: Dale Wallace 646-4566, Barb Burton 646-4050
Photos by Rod Dixon, Editor, C-T

Northwest Missouri Stands Up in Jefferson City

The shuffling of 500 feet could be heard echoing on the House and Senate Upper Gallery floor as 250 Northwest Missourians filled the galleries and stood to be recognized during the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City on January 31st. This began the day of advocating for Northwest Missouri.

“It is amazing be recognized en masse by the House and Senate. Representative Brad Lager began our introduction in the House, and two-thirds of the gallery stood in unison. We took over the Senate Gallery. It’s a very powerful moment for both Great Northwest Day participants and the Legislators,” states Cyndra Lorey, Co-Chair of Great Northwest Day at the Capitol.

Unity and cooperation are the visible themes of the day, beginning prior to the announcement of guests at the House and Senate. Representatives from the Great Northwest contingent distributed desktop reminders with an invitation to the evening event and a reminder of the identified issues of Northwest Missouri. Throughout the day and throughout the capitol area, the hallways were full of Missourians bearing “Great Northwest Day at the Capitol” nametags as they toured the Capitol Building, the Governor’s Mansion and visited with Legislators from across the State.

During the luncheon that day, regional residents heard from Ray McCarty, lobbyist for the Missouri Economic Development Council and the owner of Ray McCarty Governmental Relations. Mr. McCarty reviewed issues impacting the region such as Tax Increment Financing, Capitol Improvements, Business Incentive Development and Eminent Domain. He also provided tips for talking to legislators. “Mr. McCarty was a terrific speaker and provided great insight for the event,” says Lisa Luke, Great Northwest Day at the Capitol steering committee member. “Talking to legislators can be an intimidating experience, and Mr. McCarty brought home to us how important it is to deliver a clear message and make that personal contact with the State’s lawmakers.”

The Great Northwest Day at the Capitol evening event was a combination of Regional Fair with community booths lining the great ballroom walls at the Capitol Plaza and a savvy legislative reception designed to educate attendees about community, region and issues important to Northwest Missouri citizens. Attendance swelled beyond 500 participants that included 300+ participants from Northwest Missouri, the Lt. Governor, twenty-four Senators, over 100 House of Representative members, aides from key legislative offices and the Executive Branch offices, and State Department representatives.

“We were very pleased that Lt. Governor Peter Kinder attended and very appreciative of his time and attention. We had an exceptional turn out from Legislators,” states Steve Schieber, Co-Chair of Great Northwest Day at the Capitol. “We captured the attention of Senators and Representatives from across the state. This is about empowering our communities with an identity in Jefferson City and showing the strength from our region. It also is our way of showing support for our legislators as they continue to work for the good of Great Northwest.”

Great Northwest Day at the Capitol is an annual event held in January/February. Volunteers from throughout the region coordinate the daylong event. Great Northwest Day at the Capitol is a partnership of communities and is facilitated by Leadership Northwest Missouri, a program of Healthy Communities and the Heartland Foundation.

2005 Event

This year's event was held Tuesday, February 1, 2005. For details and more pics, visit www.greatnorthwestday.com.

Thank you to our sponsors: Chillicothe Development Corp., Citizens Bank & trust, Hutchinson & Co., Farmers Electric Cooperative, Livingston County, Bank Midwest, Chillicothe State Bank, MidWest Quality Gloves, Investors National Bank, Time Warner Cable, City of Chillicothe.

This year's event is Wednesday, February 18, 2004. For information on the itinerary and legislative issues, visit the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol web site archives.

The Capitol Halls rumbled with sounds of the Great Northwest on February 12, 2003, as a group of over 200 citizens from Northwest Missouri converged on Jefferson City.

Over 100 participants, including 30 from Chillicothe, met at the upper side gallery for recognition of Northwest Missouri, their communities, and the Great Northwest Event. House members heard no less than five recognitions of the groups' presence in the gallery. Senators sat in amazement as the group filed in to be recognized by that Assembly Body.

Regional legislators joined a swelling number of Northwest Missouri's concerned citizens at a luncheon at the Capitol Plaza. What was Northwest Missouri's goal? "To enhance the entire general assembly's awareness that Northwest Missouri is alive and kicking; and to encourage legislative support of regional goals and initiatives. "Support for this project started really through the Leadership Northwest Missouri program and region wide forums," states Lee Langerock, Chairman of the Event. Barb Burton, Chillicothe Area Chamber Executive Vice President and Jeanne Dau, Small Business Development Center, were members of the Steering Committee.

"Alumni from the Leadership Class and concerned community leaders recognized the power in numbers. A lot of communities that participated already had their own 'day at the capitol'. The idea was simple. Why not combine the money we typically would use for our single day and bring a mass of people together to represent Northwest Missouri? Each sponsoring community would be individually recognized for their contribution, yet we all impact one another. We're all part of the big picture of Northwest Missouri. District 5's retired Representative Dan Hegeman typically introduced this area to Jefferson City as 'the Great Northwest.' The title just stuck!"

During the day, participants took the opportunity to talk with regional and statewide legislators, State Department and Division directors, and each other. That evening, the 200-person group met back at the Capitol Plaza for the gala Great Northwest Mardi Gras themed event.

From 4:30 - 10:00 p.m., community activities, music and hospitality became the name of the game. Roughly one quarter of the General Assembly attended the event. "This is really a great turn out for our event from legislators," said Langerock. "We're not a statewide special interest group or lobby, we're a region of the state. Statesman from across Missouri participated… and learned that we're really a pretty impressive bunch of people in Northwest Missouri."

A "Jazz and Java" breakfast followed on February 13 where one hundred Northwest Missouri citizens discussed quality of life and legislative concerns for this year. Sponsoring communities for the Great Northwest initiative are: Albany, Andrew County, Bethany, Brookfield, Buchanan County, Cameron, Chillicothe, Grant City, Maryville, Savannah, St. Joseph, Trenton and Worth County. Participation came from across the region and covered other community areas including Sullivan and DeKalb county participants.

The Great Northwest group had a consistent, specific message: Economic Development, Rural Telecommunications, Transportation, Lifelong Learning, and Healthcare are all critical to the sustainability to the region and the overall health of the state's economy. Overall Great Northwest Event sponsors were: Heartland Health, Midwest Quality Gloves, United Electric Cooperative and Premium Standard Farms.

To help Chillicothe merchants get the word out, a committee was formed to promote shopping in Chillicothe. Our new logo is shown below to help merchants let shoppers know that Chillicothe's Got It!

If your business would like to participate in this membership benefit, call Barb or Cathy at 646-4050 to reserve your time, or email us.

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If your business would like to participate in this membership benefit, call Barb or Cathy at 646-4050 to reserve your time, or email us.

The displays may be put in for a full month. Space is available for two businesses each month, so call today. It's a great way to promote your business at no charge!

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