Worth County Progress Organization Seeks Donations

The Worth County Progress Organization is seeking donations for its work in developing the local economy. Through the past decade, Worth County has gotten paved streets, high-speed internet, new emergency equipment, an ADA compliant courthouse, a renovated swimming pool, Enhanced 911 services, creation and updating of community and county strategic plans, a new athletic shed, new sidewalks and lighting on the county seat square, and the Dollar General Store and the new Firehouse along with the new Casey's which held its grand opening Friday.

The mission of the WCPO is to work to ensure long-term vitality in a community that is attractive, clean, safe, and rich in educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. In order to accomplish this, their goal is to be proactive in the area of economic and community development by continuing to stress the importance and need for the position of Worth County Economic Developer.

Among activities and duties being performed by Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger are:
Growing Business
-- Adding businesses to the county and city web pages;
-- Creating a feature business of the month and meeting with business owners and helping to advertise individual businesses through tailored promotions;
-- Facilitating meeting with Clint Dougherty, business development procurement specialist;
-- Contacted and opened lines of communication with more than 50 local businesses;
-- Numerous meetings with local residents regarding entrepreneurship;
-- Facilitated meeting with Steve Dempsey, Missouri business representative, to promote National Career Readiness Certificate and provided information on Work Opportunity Tax Credits;
-- Offered free employer compliance posters;
-- Facilitated meeting with EEZ board; completed annual report;
-- Created business directory.

Growing Youth
-- Coordinated youth involvement at Denver Schoolhouse;
-- Coordinated Greenhouse Class to plant flowers on Square;
-- Created a youth internship program;
-- Coordinated youth involvement in local community service projects;
-- Facilitated meeting with Kim Mildward, Functional Manager, Missouri Career Center in Maryville to encourage youth in the workforce through the Workforce Investment Act Youth Program.

Growing Community
-- Created County Market Days;
-- Promotion of local events by word, meeting attendance, reports;
-- Created What's Happening in Worth County Community Calendar;
-- Facilitated open forum for community members and West Side building owners to open lines of communication; 
 -- Met with structural engineer regarding Yetter Building;
-- Coordinated donations for Annual Golf Classic;
-- Attended meetings of various local governments and organizations;
-- Actively support Grant 4 Change as well as many other community events;
-- Created "Worth County Bounty" to promote local authors and entrepreneurs;
-- Regular communication with Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments;
-- Monthly report in local newspapers.

Growing in Government
-- Met with representative from Congressman Sam Graves' office to keep lines of communication open;
-- Met with Janie Dunning, Missouri State Director, USDA Rural Development and Jeremy Brady, USDA Area Specialist -- new Firehouse Grand Opening;
-- Attended grant-writing workshop for Solid Waste District;
-- NWMEF Board Member;
-- LEPC Board Member;
-- Attended 2012 and will act as County Coordinator for Great Northwest Days 2013 in Jefferson City.

To donate money, note any special areas of interest for the coming year, or for more information, contact Amber Monticue (564-4000) or Bob Hull (564-2100) or the Office of Economic Development (564-3776).