Sherri’s Pharmacy Recognized by Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation

Recently, Sherri’s Pharmacy Services was recognized by Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation on its Facebook page. The citation read,

“When Sherri's Pharmacy Services opened in 2009, Sherri James returned to her hometown region with a vision to serve the community she knew and loved. Born and raised in Grant City, Sherri gained her education and professional experience before coming home to build a business that would make a lasting impact in Worth County and beyond.”

“Sherri’s Pharmacy Services has built its reputation on quality service and personal relationships. Patients are known by name, service is fast and friendly, and care goes beyond simply filling prescriptions. The pharmacy has helped restore convenient pharmacy access for local residents, reducing long drives and delays while bringing true pharmaceutical care back to the area.”

“Over the years, the business has continued to grow and adapt to remain profitable in the ever-changing healthcare industry. Sherri's Pharmacy Services was one of the first pharmacies in the area to participate in the 340b program with Northwest Medical Center, which brought significant savings to patients in the area.”

“Sherri has invested in community wellness through efforts such as Mission SLIMpossible, a health challenge that drew more than 50 participants. Sherri was able to hire another pharmacist and Worth County alumni, Alissa Ridge, who is certified to give vaccinations and is working on the accreditation process to provide Diabetes Education.”

“As NWMEF celebrates 20 years, we are proud to recognize businesses like Sherri’s Pharmacy Services that show what rural entrepreneurship can accomplish. Sherri’s decision to come home, serve others, and build something lasting is exactly the kind of story worth celebrating.”

Sherri is the daughter of Cathy and the late Duane (Comish) James.

 

 

Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) celebrated its 20th anniversary Wednesday with Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, the founder of the enterprise facilitation movement, speaking to the gathering.

NWMEF provides consultation services to businesses free of charge. All services are confidential. The facilitator is Adam Summers, a Worth County grad. If he doesn’t know an answer to someone’s problem, the backbone of the group is a group of 60 current and retired entrepreneurs who can provide answers and expertise. They are non-profit and are funded by local governments municipalities, and private donations. All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be mailed to Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, PO Box 13, Stanberry, MO 64489. They serve six counties including Worth, Nodaway, Gentry, Andrew, Atchison, and Holt Counties.

Throughout their existence, they have served 1,390 clients including 244 businesses that either started or expanded. For 2025, they served 109 clients, including 22 that were new or expanded. Clients served have created $10,604,712 in capital and $31,293,508 in new sales. For 2025, those figures were $395,000 in new capital and $750,000 in new sales.

Among clients they serve, 34% provide services, 25% are retail, 12% are restaurants, 6% are construction, 5% are ag, and 5% are healthcare.

Their biggest fundraiser of the year is the Great Northwest Winefest which is held in Mound City every year. This year, the Winefest will be October 3rd.

Twenty years ago, Sister Kristine Martin and others formed Sparks of Hope, an entity seeking to revitalize rural America. They encountered Ernesto Sirolli, who was doing a speaking tour in Nebraska, and they decided to form a new organization to help rural businesses and use his model. He agreed to help, and after a series of meetings, the organization was born.

Ernesto Sirolli was born in Italy and early on had a passion for international aid. But he learned the hard way that the current model of providing aid to people wasn’t working, because it didn’t involve listening to the locals. His first project in Africa involved starting a food cooperative which would grow tomatoes in Zambia. All went well until the night before they were to harvest their tomatoes, when a large herd of 200 hungry hippos went through and ate all their tomatoes and ruined the crop. That led to locals asking him why he didn’t talk to them before starting the project. Furthermore, people in that country could buy 50 pounds of corn starch for $1 at the time.

Not learning his lesson, Dr. Sirolli’s next project was a project with the Peace Corps. They encountered a village that had no way of getting to a neighboring village to trade their goods because a gigantic river was separating them. Dr. Sirolli and his team had the idea of building a bridge, and they thought they had the perfect location 35 miles north of the village and they would clear roads to link the two communities. All went well until the rainy season arrived and the river completely changed banks and its course, turning it into a bridge to nowhere.

Discouraged and burned out, a colleague gave Dr. Sirolli a book entitled, “Small is Beautiful.” It started with the premise that if people don’t want to be helped, they should be left alone. “We go in because we think we’re better than them,” he said. He did a whole PhD thesis on the notion that if you shut up and listen to people, you would get much better results than the conventional wisdom, which held that superior knowledge entitled one to go into someone else’s community and impose a solution.

Most of the professors Dr. Sirolli encountered were incredulous at his direction, asking him, “You want to listen to them??” But in reality, Dr. Sirolli found that there is no geographical limitations to intelligence. Another barrier he found to people who need help was that some people were afraid to ask for help because they didn’t want to be laughed at. This drove the free and confidential model that Dr. Sirolli has championed for the last 40 years.

Dr. Sirolli finally found a professor who, while he didn’t agree with his model, agreed to mentor him. One of Dr. Sirolli’s first clients was in Australia; he had run a smoked fish outfit from his garage, but the city had shut him down and he was broke and had been unemployed for the last 12 months. Dr. Sirolli agreed to help him, and they came up with an idea to sell his fish to restaurants. They pitched their fish to the five most luxurious restaurants in the city, and all five ordered some fish. They were able to find a building he could operate out of, and he was able to hire 12 employees to help him. He even supplied fish for a royal banquet for the late Queen Elizabeth.

From there, they started the first Enterprise Facilitation, which served 60 clients and 27 new businesses in the first 24 months. The goal of each Enterprise Facilitation is to help people understand their strengths and weaknesses and help them find new opportunities.

There are three aspects to any business, Dr. Sirolli said. One is the vision, one is the marketing, and one is the finances. One can have a vision, but if other people don’t know about what you have to offer, you can’t succeed. Or if they don’t know how to handle finances, and it costs more to make your product than it does to sell it, you will go broke. It is very difficult for one person to do all three aspects really well; Dr. Sirolli said that the reason most businesses go under was because of a breakdown in one of those three aspects.

And then, there is character. Dr. Sirolli said that one can go to college and develop a vision, be good at marketing, and be good at finances, but without character, which is difficult to change, it won’t matter.

From the first startup in Australia, there are now 400 different enterprise facilitations similar to NWMEF around the world. Several members from the Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation were present at the banquet in Maryville Wednesday. They are found in 14 states and numerous countries around the world, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Congo, Tanzania, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. They have helped start 65,000 businesses around the world, yet they have not scratched the surface.

Dr. Sirolli said that none of this would have been possible without his wife, Martha, who was present in Maryville Wednesday. She was one of the first people he ran his idea of letting the people drive aid instead of the other way around, and her first reaction was, “It makes sense.”

His advice to people who were interested in starting a business was to make sure it was really their passion and that they were willing to suffer for it. He encouraged people to try to remember what they enjoyed doing as kids before they were corrupted by popular culture. “Once you’re absolutely sure, make a commitment and be prepared to walk all the way through your journey,” Dr. Sirolli said. Along the way, people will find dragons to slay and trails to follow, but that magical helpers will always appear. “Make sure it’s really your journey, or it will destroy you,” he said. He said that an MBA will teach people a lot about finance, but that it is not a replacement for the kind of passion that is needed for one to be an entrepreneur.

 

 

Dr. Ernesto Sirolli to Speak at NWMEF Celebration

More than twenty years after first visiting Northwest Missouri to introduce a new approach to economic development, internationally recognized expert Dr. Ernesto Sirolli will return to the region as the keynote speaker for Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation’s (NWMEF) 20th Anniversary celebration.

Dr. Sirolli’s earlier visit to Maryville played a pivotal role in shaping what would become NWMEF. At that time, he introduced local leaders to the Enterprise Facilitation® model—an approach centered on listening to entrepreneurs, identifying their passions, and supporting them with the right resources. That foundation led directly to the creation of NWMEF in 2006.

Now, two decades later, Sirolli’s return represents a full-circle moment for the organization and the communities it serves.

“Bringing Ernesto back to Northwest Missouri is significant,” said Founding Board Member Jim Jacoby. “His work laid the foundation for everything we’ve built. The growth and impact of NWMEF over the past 20 years are the result of his original presentation and training.”

Dr. Sirolli is a globally respected leader in community-based economic development and the founder of the Enterprise Facilitation® approach, which has been implemented in communities around the world. His philosophy emphasizes that sustainable economic growth comes from within communities—by empowering local entrepreneurs rather than relying solely on external recruitment.

The 20th Anniversary celebration will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, elected officials, and community partners from across the region.

NWMEF has spent the past two decades carrying forward the principles introduced by Sirolli, providing free and confidential coaching to entrepreneurs across a six-county region. Through this work, the organization has helped launch new businesses, strengthen existing ones, and contribute to a more resilient rural economy.  NWMEF covers Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth counties.  For more information about the event or NWMEF’s services, please contact: Adam Summers 816-262-9400 or go to www.nwmef.org

 

Hallelujah Counseling to Offer Mental Health Services in Maryville

Hayston Wilson and Courtney Koch have announced the opening of Hallelujah Counseling, a new mental health counseling practice rooted in Christian values. Located at 1315 S. Main St. Suite C in Maryville, the practice can be reached at 660-223-1700.

Hallelujah Counseling provides individual therapy addressing conditions like depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and eating disorders. Wilson and Koch integrate biblically-based perspectives with research-backed treatment protocols to care for clients across the lifespan.

The co-owners felt called to establish a faith-based mental health resource in the rural area, seeing a lack of accessible Christian counseling. Their vision is to minister through mental healthcare by meeting needs in the community. Wilson specializes in trauma, while Koch focuses particularly on eating disorders. However, both serve as generalist counselors to support whole-person wellness.

When asked about their biggest startup challenge, Wilson and Koch cited limited time balancing new business duties with family obligations and Koch’s other farming venture. But despite obstacles, the entrepreneurs are committed to seeing Hallelujah Counseling thrive as a community pillar for years to come. Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation provided guidance on functions vital to success.

Wilson said, “If God calls you to do something, He will provide what you need.” Their ministry approach puts positive local impact first, while still operating as a sustainable mental health business. The founders hope to eventually expand services and accessibility to transform more lives.

Wilson and Koch credit Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) for invaluable guidance on accounting, marketing, and optimizing processes - areas outside their clinical expertise but vital to operating Hallelujah Counseling successfully long-term. NWMEF provides free business consulting across northern Missouri.

Any entrepreneurs in need of support launching or growing a small business are encouraged to connect with NWMEF at (816) 262-9400 or www.nwmef.org. They provide business advice to everyone from prospective business owners exploring concepts to established companies seeking to improve strategy and performance. Let NWMEF help turn your business dreams into reality.

A Business Celebration and ribbon cutting is being planned for Thursday, January 18th at 4 pm. The public is encouraged to attend the celebration of this new business in our area.

Tuck Point Under New Ownership

Ryan and Megan Cordell have recently purchased Tuck Point Bar and Grill in Ravenwood, MO.  Tuck Point was founded by Megan’s brother and sister-in-law, Colby and Megan Wiederholt, in 2019.  Megan Cordell stated: “When I found out that they wanted to sell the restaurant, we all wanted to keep it in the family and thought it would be an exciting adventure for my family!”  The restaurant is located at 101 South Main Street, Ravenwood, MO.  “We offer great food and a fun atmosphere for the community says, Ryan.”

Talking about a family adventure, Ryan and Megan are learning everything there is to know about the restaurant business in general!  Ryan is a farmer and seed dealer and Megan’s career has been a nurse since 2009.  They are both excited about expanding into a whole new world and carrying on a well-established business for the community and region.

Megan envisions the business to grow over the next 5 years.  They will make changes to the menu and hours as time goes on.  They also would love to host more events throughout the year.  Megan gave a sneak peek to the future, “we would LOVE to have an outside patio area in the future.”  When asked what advice she would give to other entrepreneurs, Megan suggests “Educate yourself on the business, be open to changes throughout the years to keep your business thriving and  always be prepared for the unexpected.”  

The Cordells learned about Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation from Colby and Megan Wiederholt and were appreciative of the assistance they received from Keli Morris, Facilitator, with helping get the restaurant going by providing helpful information and resources they needed.  

NWMEF will host a business celebration for “Tuck Point Bar and Grill” on Friday, August 13th, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at 101 South Main Street, Ravenwood, MO 64479. The public is invited to attend.  Plan to come back for Outlaw Creek from 8 – 11 P.M. 

If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) can help. NWMEF is an economic development project which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Keli Morris, facilitator, at (816) 262-9400 or facilitator@nwmef.org. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation. Certain project costs have been underwritten by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Neighborhood Assistance Programs. 

Trump Administration Awards Development Grants to Area

The Trump Administration, along with Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced 20 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,068,984 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. Among them were three projects in the area.

USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training, and job-creation activities to small rural businesses. Among the recipients:

–Lettuce Dream, a nonprofit providing job and training opportunities for individuals with disabilities, will use an $18,422 grant to purchase new packaging, labeling, boxes, and marketing materials so it can enter a new retail market in Maryville, Mo.

–Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation will use a $19,973 grant to provide training and technical assistance for business development services for existing and new, emerging small businesses in a six-county region of northwest Missouri.

–The Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri, Inc. will use a $46,675 grant to provide training and technical assistance for business development services in northwest Missouri.

Northwest Winefest Canceled

The Northwest Winefest, which was to have been held in Mound City on September 29th, has been canceled. All vendors and ticket holders will be refunded in full. The event will be held again next year. Details will be announced in spring.

Mission Possible Awarded Tax Credits for New Building

On Wednesday, the Missouri Department of Economic Development announced that it would award over $6.7 million in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits to help non-profit organizations across the state with community development projects.

Mission Possible of Worth County was awarded tax credits under the program. They are planning to build a new building on the northwest corner of the Grant City Square. Previous plans included only a one level building. However, the current version includes a two level building for the Food Pantry, Thrift Store, and space for Community Services. It will be 5,252 square feet.

 Community Services is currently operating out of the building on the southwest corner of the Square across from Bears Lodge #26. They have been in several locations.

Mission Possible has currently outgrown their current facility on the east side of the Grant City Square. The Food Pantry is in the back of the building.

Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, which helps businesses in the area start or expand free of charge, was also awarded tax credits under the program. They serve several counties in the area, including Nodaway and Worth.

“Workforce development is a top priority of our Governor,” said Missouri Department of Economic Development Deputy Director Luke Holtschneider. “This program supports that initiative via strengthening Missouri’s communities by helping non-profit organizations raise private-sector funds. This is done by providing state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects.”

Donors can contribute cash, materials, supplies or equipment; technical assistance and professional services; labor; real estate; or stocks and bonds. Credits can equal up to 50 percent of the total amount contributed or up to 70 percent for projects located in the most rural areas.

Eligible donors include businesses, individuals who operate a sole proprietorship, operate a farm, have rental property or have royalty, shareholders in an S-corporation, partners in a Partnership, or members of a Limited Liability Corporation.

Applications are now being accepted for the second round of NAP submissions, which must be postmarked no later than September 4 to be considered. Organizations can apply for one, two, or three year projects. Applications for the first round of NAP submissions were submitted in March and April 2019.

Grant City Business Forum Held

The Grant City Business Forum was held Friday, sponsored by the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation. Annette Weeks of the Facilitation talked about her work in helping businesses to succeed in Northwest Missouri to area businesses and prospective businesses. She said that there were three aspects of management that determined whether or not businesses succeeded; product, marketing, and financial management. She led audience participants in evaluating their own businesses on how well they were doing in those categories.

Along the way, she talked about challenges facing some of the businesses she has worked with. She said that one problem she saw was the fact that there were always things out there that people intended to do but were not getting done because of staffing. She said that marketing was important even for government entities.

Participants rated themselves on a scale of 1 to 100. But there was a catch; for instance, she said that if a business marked themselves as a 100 in marketing, then that meant that they had all the customers that they needed. She encouraged people to focus on their target audiences; she said that with the rise of the Internet, many businesses were able to find their target audience over the Internet.

She said that the main stumbling block for businesses that she found was trying to do everything at once, meaning that some stuff didn't get done. For instance, if a business creates a Facebook page, but it doesn't get updated regularly, people could conclude that you didn't have the time or energy to run the business. But she said that low-tech was still effective; for instance, she said that she used ground signs and billboards for her business successfully.

Out of product, marketing, and financial management, Weeks said that the area that the businesses she worked with had the most trouble with was financial management. She said that some of her clients were simply putting their personal savings into the business. She encouraged participants to make a budget and decide if particular investments were worth it. She said that most of her clients used Quickbooks or Excel, but that one business was successfully using simply paper and pencil. Another aspect that businesses were having trouble was being able to look backwards at their trends. For instance, she had one business who thought that their sales were going up every year but that was constantly having cash flow problems. They had no records by which they could look backwards. However, when they finally were able to reconstruct sales figures, they found that their sales had gone down 50% over the last five years. She said that the lesson was that what people assume and what was on paper could be two different things.

The biggest area of strength for businesses that she worked with was the time and energy that they put into their product, said Weeks. She said that every client was different; some need help finding resources to help them succeed while others need help putting their best foot forward to customers who walked in the door. She doesn't have an office; she spends her time going out and helping clients in the six-county area that she serves, including Worth County. Everything is free of charge and confidential; businesses are given the freedom to make their own decisions. Weeks is helped by 74 board members in the six county area that they serve.

County Commission Meeting -- State to Resurface F in 2014

The county learned that the MODOT plans to patch Route F in 2013 and resurface it in 2014. Route C will be resurfaced this summer. Next on the priority list are Route H, Route T, Route Z, and Route AA respectively.
The county signed a contract with Ringgold County to house prisoners. The Daviess/DeKalb Regional Jail charges a similar rate; however, Mount Ayr is much closer.
The county renewed its annual contract with the University Extension office for $6,600.
The county received correspondence regarding the roof from S&V. They had checked into whether the slate roof is under warranty and that they had gotten vague answers from the company. The focus was on mechanical damage to the slate materials.
Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe reported that she plans to put the emergency operations manual on disk. The county needs an alternative emergency operations center in the event that the Courthouse cannot be used. Possible locations were either the Grant City or Sheridan Firehouse. Kobbe requested and got the county van for February 28th to attend the National Weather Service training that is required to designate Worth County as a storm ready county.
Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger reported that the county plans to hold a business forum Friday, February 22nd at noon at the Senior Center. Lunch will be served. It will be put on by the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation.
Ueligger attended two more meetings to discuss how to get local meat to local stores. There will be two more wrap-up meetings to be held.
A Farmers Market meeting will be held March 12th. They plan to have it on the square and have it every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of the month. Ueligger told the Express that some of last year’s vendors are planning to have bigger offerings this year and planning to market their foods as all-natural. Ueligger requested and got permission to use the Gazebo for possible entertainment purposes. Ueligger is also in the process of getting permission to use the vacant lots on the northwest corner of the square.
Ueligger also attended Leadership Northwest Missouri classes.
She reported that there were a lot of positive comments about the business cards at Great Northwest Days.

15 Attend Allendale Business Forum

(Worth County Economic Development) – The first of a series of Business Forums was held January 16th at the Allendale Community Hall.  There were 15 members of our community present.  Annette Weeks with Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation described their program - a nonprofit organization that offers business coaching in northwest Missouri.  Their purpose is to promote economic and community revitalization by capturing the passion and interest of local entrepreneurs.  Annette meets one on one with current and prospective entrepreneurs to help them discuss and understand the needs to operate a successful business as well as help connect them to the needed resources.  Kim Mildward and Cory Crawford also presented information and hiring options for employers.  It was great information that offered opportunities to employ local folks at a reduced or no charge to the employer. 
Thanks to Allendale Community Betterment reps Vickie Miller, Peggy Miller, & Sharon Nonneman for providing such an awesome breakfast -- biscuits & gravy, eggs, potatoes, fruit cup, juice & coffee.  DEEELICIOUS!!

New Beginnings Offers New Hope in Northwest Missouri

The only treatment center in a five county area that provides services to juvenile and adolescent populations, as well as adults will soon open its doors in Maryville. New Beginnings Counseling Center is a dream shared by owners, Michelle Jones and Sean Prescott. The duo will bring more than twenty years of experience to the area.

Statistics show that more than 22 million Americans aged 12 and older, are current or former illicit drug users. In the last 30 years, the number of deaths related to drug overdoses has risen by more than 540 percent. Those numbers help make the case for why a business like this is important in the region.

“We were pointed in the direction of Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) by a Maryville Chamber of Commerce member who was excited to see a new locally based and operated business which addresses such a timely need in the community,” said Prescott.  

New Beginnings offers day treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and supported recovery. You can access services through self-referrals, as well as doctors, hospitals or other organizations' referrals. New Beginnings accepts self-pay, insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and Employee Assistance Programs which also cover the employee’s family members with any of the companies in Maryville.

A Business Celebration will be hosted by the Maryville Chamber of Commerce and NWMEF on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at 3 p.m., New Beginning Counseling Center, 318 N. Main Street, Maryville. An open house follows until 6 p.m. For more information, call 660-562-3000.

To learn more about how you can start or retain your own business, contact Annette Weeks, NWMEF facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com or check out our website at www.nwmef.com. NWMEF is a not-for-profit economic development organization serving six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are free and confidential. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.

New Business -- Gazerek Enterprises Auto Detailing and More

A foundation already in existence makes good business sense for a couple of entrepreneurs. Joe and Tiffany Gazarek have started their own business, Gazerek Enterprises Auto Detailing & More, in Savannah. They have located their new venture in a current business already familiar to the area.

Tiffany is the daughter of Terry and Patti Strong so when she and her husband decided to go out on their own, taking up shop with her parents business, Strong Collision Repair, only made sense.  

“We were able to take over a bay within Strong’s for my business, and it is working out great,” said Joe Gazarek.

A love for cars initiated the beginning for Gazarek Enterprises with a focus on detailing cars. Gazarek Enterprises services not only cars and trucks, but boats and motor coaches too. Other services offered are leather conditioning, carpet shampooing, headlight restoration, road tar, pet hair removal and engine degreasing. Gazerek brings more than 20 years experience to the business which he now calls his own, thanks to Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF).

 “NWMEF helped guide us in the right direction, and gave us someone to bounce ideas off of,” Gazarek said.  “Annette [Weeks, facilitator] is great with marketing strategies, budgeting.  I highly recommend contacting NWMEF before starting a business, as they have the resources you need to get your business off the ground and will help ensure your I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”

NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.

Emery's Marks One Year

Adam Emery found his calling early in life. At age fourteen he got his first job, working in a tire shop, and there the spark was lit. Today Mr. Emery owns his own service station and offers customers much more than just fuel. “I also do basic mechanic work, brakes, oil changes, tire repair and rotation,” Emery says of his shop, Emery Convenience & Service located in Parnell, Missouri.
In addition to all the services Emery offers, his station also carries new tires along with convenience and grocery items. Along with fulfilling his own dream of being his own boss Emery feels his business is an important way for him to help his rural community.
“This way people do not have to drive twenty miles to the next town to get a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread,” Emery says.
In the town of Parnell, which has a population of approximately 200 people, Emery’s Convenience & Service and K&T Bar and Grill are the only two stores.
Emery has advice for anyone passionate about owning their own business, “Go for it,” he says, “it is possible to make businesses work in small towns.”
Through contacts at USDA, Emery learned about Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF). He credits NWMEF and facilitator Annette Weeks with helping him in planning out the financial aspects of his business and helping his business succeed.
Emery Convenience & Service, 204 S. Main Street, Parnell, Missouri is celebrating a one year anniversary hosted by NWMEF Saturday, November 5th with an awards presentation at 12:00 p.m. and barbecue 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) is here to help. NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.

Williams Recycling: Green for Life

Going green is not just a way of life, it is a business. "By simply recycling you'll reduce up to eighty percent of your household waste," said Kathy Strough, co-owner, Williams Recycling. Larry Russell and Strough recently purchased Williams Recycling, a disposal and recycling business based out of Maryville with a branch located in Mound City. They plan to follow in the previous owner's footsteps by trying to continue to reduce the ecological footprints we all leave behind. "The previous owner had a vision that in time the recycling would grow with another business, composting," said Larry Russell, co-owner, Williams Recycling. "This would finally eliminate the need for most of the trash going into a landfill, helping it survive longer." Both owners believe the public supports recycling and find joy in the fact that there is a demand to reduce and reuse products in order to slow the flow going into landfills. "Calls come in the office daily asking how we want items for recycling packaged for pickup," Russell said, "comments on the street to us are very positive concerning recycling." Larry Russell first met Facilitator Annette Weeks and learned about Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) through his role as Mayor of Mound City. At the time they met he had no idea NWMEF would be so valuable getting his new business venture moving forward so quickly. "NWMEF is a powerful tool that any business needs to utilize," said Russell. Williams Recycling, 1647 N. Main Street, Maryville, is celebrating a Grand Opening hosted by NWMEF and the Maryville Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 8 with the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend. If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) is here to help. NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.

Second Time Around

Charles L. “Rusty” Chester could be sitting back enjoying his retirement, but instead he is going into business for himself, opening a new law firm. “I want to try to mirror my Grandfather and Uncle, Dr. Ralph Kelley and Dr. Gilbert Kelley by serving the community as a lawyer,” said Rusty Chester.

After retiring from a successful practice as a lawyer with a large law firm, Chester is opening a new office on the square in Savannah. He learned about Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) through the Savannah Chamber of Commerce and credits NWMEF with providing him the guidance and confidence he needed to go into business for himself. Chester said his greatest joy is helping people meet their law related needs. He also has some sage advice for anyone thinking about starting a business. “Above all, trust in God. Pursue something you like to do within a structure you are able to handle, profitably,” Chester said.

Chester believes his biggest struggle will be performing all the activities that the administrative staff, secretaries, paralegals and associates did at the large law firm, but is excited about meeting and serving more people personally.

If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) is here to help. NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation.

Rusty Chester Law Office, 108 S. 5^th Street, is celebrating a Grand Opening hosted by NWMEF and the Savannah Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 5 with the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

Grant City Auto to Hold Open House at New Building

A fire burned through the Grant City town square last fall, destroying four buildings housing three small businesses. Less than six months later, Dennis and Ann Adams are rebuilding their business from the ground up.

“Losing not only your business, but your source of income is devastating,” said Dennis Adams.

The Adams own Grant City Auto Parts, Inc., which is an independent CARQUEST Auto Parts store selling auto, truck and farm equipment and related supplies to independent mechanic shops and walk-in retail customers. They were able to stay in business in their home with a limited amount of inventory and overnight delivery service thanks to CARQUEST Distribution Center and the help of family and friends. At the same time they were working to rebuild, they were cleaning up the old site. It was important to them to continue on in the same community in which they grew up and have raised their children in. Through all the devastation in the last few months, the Adams remain optimistic for their business’ future as well as Worth County.

“I have a very positive outlook for this community, Dennis Adams said, “if I didn't I wouldn't have built back and I think there are plenty of people in this community who feel the same way. Don't get me wrong, the fire was a tragic loss for everyone, but I think a lot of positive things will happen in the future.”

Adversity is one of the traits many small business owners must obtain. For entrepreneurs who are interested in working for themselves, the Adams have some words of wisdom to share.

“Have a long term plan for your business. There will always be ups and downs in the economy. Talking with other business owners about their experiences would be a good place to start and stay positive and work toward your goals.”

The business that they opened 25 years ago on April 1, 1986 is celebrating a new start on the same date. The public is invited to attend the celebration of their new location, 15 E. 3^rd Street, on Friday, April 1. A ribbon cutting will take place at 10:30 a.m. with lunch to follow at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served all day with the chance to win door prizes.

If you are interested in starting or retaining your own business, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) is here to help. NWMEF is an economic development project trained by the Sirolli Institute which serves six counties including Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. Services are offered free and are strictly confidential. NWMEF is a not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact Annette Weeks, facilitator, at (816) 262-5158 or facilitator@nwmef.com. The Resource Board is comprised of more than 70 volunteer board members from each county as well as regional representation. A complete list of board members is enclosed.

Cynthia Fisher Lawhorn, Other Local Talent Highlight NWMEF Fundraiser

Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation hosted a fundraising event “Bringing Home the Talent”, Sunday afternoon, March 13 at Mary Linn Auditorium on NWMSU campus with around 400 in attendance. Talent was in abundance with the performers that were absolute crowd pleasers. Pre-show artists featured represented the six counties in NWMEF service area were from: Atchison County, Jason Riley of St. Joseph; Adam Showalter, Springfield, MO, originally from Holt County; Tammy and Andy Heath, Overland Park, KS who originally made their homes in Stanberry and Mound City (Gentry and Holt Counties); Jeff Anslinger of Savannah; and Cynthia Fisher Lawhorn, Osage Beach, MO, calling Worth County her homeland. The pleasure of Fred Mares, National Hy-Vee Greeter from Maryville, MO provided excellent entertainment while guests were seated and featured a concert in itself.

Following an intermission during which time all the performers had the advantage to sell their recorded CDs, featured artists, Todd Bradshaw of Grand Jubilee, Branson, MO and his comedian friend, Terry Sanders of Silver Dollar City then took the stage. They kept the crowd awed with a variety of numbers. Bradshaw portrayed several different well known artists, and Sanders’ hilarious comedy acts as Homer Lee, Grandma Bradshaw and Joan Rivers made for a grand ending to an afternoon of great entertainment.

Sharing Emcee duties were Doug Schmitz, Bethany /Cameron - General Manager of KAAN AM/FM, WKFM & KMRN Radio Station and Marilyn Alldredge of Fairfax, NWMEF Fundraising Coordinator for the event. Both Schmitz and Alldredge were originally from Stanberry. During the course of the afternoon performance, Annette Weeks, NWMEF Facilitator spoke of the Free confidential services provided to businesses and entrepreneurs in the six county area. Alldredge and Weeks also presented MO Rep Mike Thomson and MO Senator Brad Lager with plaques of appreciation for their assistance to this group.

All the entertainers were brought back to the stage for one last round of applause and were presented with plaques of appreciation and an apple pie for “coming home” to share their time, talents, professionalism and willingness to assist in the continuation of the works of NWMEF. “Alldredge stated,” We could not ask for better entertainers, or for a smoother program process than what we experienced. The proceeds we gained will assist in keeping NWMEF important economic services ongoing. We are so grateful for all the support gained thru this event”.

Much appreciation went to the Sponsors for the event: $500 - Northwest Missouri Cellular, Maryville – Rock Port; Kincaid Gardens, Gary & Gayle Kincaid, Savannah; Maryville Daily Forum, Maryville. $250:Fairfax Agency, Inc., Bob & Marilyn Alldredge,Fairfax; Catholic Charities, Kansas City- St. Joseph; Laukemper Motors, Joe & Susan Laukemper, Mound City; Lower Marketing & Advertising, LLC; Jim Lower, St. Joseph; Colflesh Financial Services, Tarkio, David Colflesh, CLU, ChFC. $100: Hy-Vee – Maryville; Bank Midwest, Maryville; Oswald Brothers, Richard & Marion, Fairfax; Drs. Robert & Betty Bush, Maryville; Aunt Martha’s House Bed & Breakfast, Fairfax -Martha Shaffer – Owner; Sisters of St. Francis - Savannah.

Planning & Praying

by the NWMEF
Dr. Roy Wilson, D.V.M. battled Mother Nature in getting the doors opened to his new business. The excessive rains last summer slowed down his grand opening, but now before spring is here, Rafter Cross Veterinary Services is open for business. "It took a lot of planning, praying and some more planning," said Dr. Wilson about the opening of his latest venture. "I had a lot of conversations with a lot of people to take advantage of their hard-earned wisdom." Rafter Cross Veterinary Services is an animal health business serving the veterinary needs for companion and food animals, as well as horses. They also have an experienced groomer on site. Dr. Wilson saw a need for these services in the Holt County area and felt he had something he could provide to their community and the surrounding area. He said he takes great joy in helping people, but similar to other entrepreneurs, getting the business finances in order has been his greatest challenge. "Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation shared encouragement and experience. It was so beneficial to have someone who has been involved in other business startups to help us stay focused on our business plan each step of the way," said Dr. Wilson. NWMEF is hosting a business celebration at Rafter Cross Veterinary Services, 311 S. Main, Craig at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16. The public is invited to attend.

County Commission Sets Up Talks with S&V over Roof

The County Commission is in the process of trying to set up talks with commissioners, S&V personnel, and new county attorney David Baird over the roof which the county commissioners say is still leaking even after repairs made. James of S&V, the firm that engineered the roof project, spoke with commissioners on the phone at Monday's meeting and said that he had visited the Courthouse on December 1st but commissioners were attending the funeral of Joker Miller that day and James said that he could not find anything wrong with the roof. Subsequently, commissioners got a boom truck for him to go up in, but he had already left.

Another issue that came up was the number of shingles. The county says that they need three surplus bundles of slate shingles of 110 pieces each in the event of future repairs; however, they say that the shingles present are not adequate for that purpose. Debbie of S&V also spoke over the speaker phone with commissioners and requested documentation regarding the shingles; however, commissioners said that previous attorney John Young had already documented the number of shingles and sent it to them. The contract for the project states that the roof must be watertight; however, commissioners say that the roof is still leaking.

Ron Roach requested ditch work on Road 254 on the county line with Harrison east of Allendale; he said that the road was getting narrow due to erosion.

Clerk Roberta Owens reported that she would be attending upcoming training for HPRP, elections training, and the Missouri Association of Counties training.

Commissioner Dennis Gabbert reported that he had gotten a quote from Steve Combs regarding cabling for the generator. A permanent cable would cost an estimated $945 while a portable cable would cost around $2,397. Commissioners are still trying to decide which solution to go with.

Mowing of the Courtyard was discussed. The Courtyard may be torn up for various construction projects during the year. In addition, they might cut some of the stumps on the trees shorter. Part of the problem is deciding whether to get bids for mowing or whether to get a new mower, which commissioners said would cost money. Either way would cost money due to the high gas prices; a job which cost $70 per mow last summer could cost as much as $100 per mow this year. The county has a history of mowers and vacuum sweepers that have not lasted very long.

Emergency Management Director Pat Kobbe will value the trailer and equipment inside it for insurance purposes.

Economic Developer Charity Austin reported that with the approval of all the towns of the proposed Enhanced Enterprise Zone, the next step would be forming a board representing as many of the entities within the county as possible consisting of seven members. Part of the task would be finalizing the area to be excluded from the EEZ.

Austin said that they were in the process of doing drawings for the Gazebo and that construction could begin as early as this month.

Road and Bridge Foreman Jim Fletchall reported on price quotes that he had gotten. One bucket for the loader would cost $2,800 while he found another one for $1,000. He said that crews would need to redo the gate which he says is dragging the ground. Fletchall reported that quotes for a 1,000 container of gas would be around $2,500 while a 500 gallon tank would run around $1,149. The alternative would be to ditch gas containers altogether and go with a Petro Card. Any decision regarding the county's fuel needs was tabled until commissioners could talk with Sheriff Terry Sheddrick regarding the fuel needs for the Sheriff's Department.

A decision regarding getting a credit card for the county was also tabled; it was getting more and more difficult to purchase needed items without one online; however, the danger was having cards that were floating around without documentation. The downside of the present policy of not having one is that road crews would have to wait to do needed shop work on equipment. Commissioner Gabbert said that if the county was to have a credit card, they would have to have a policy about access to it.

The commissioners talked with Richard Supinger regarding the restoration of the old Courtroom. Commissioner Rob Ruckman said that he thought that if enough money was pooled together, they might finally have the money to work on the project. Roberta Owens reported that State Representative Casey Guernsey had expressed interest in the project and would be willing to meet with commissioners regarding possible funding sources for the project.

David Walmath and Annette Weeks of the Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation requested and got a $1,200 contribution from the county. The NWMEF helps both new and existing businesses in the area, including Worth County, to grow free of charge. They are a non-profit organization. They have helped six businesses start in the county. They have a 75-member board including people in the county who meet and help each other solve problems; they are always looking for more members.