Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

Community leaders from around the region are invited to participate in the Missouri Community Betterment regional meeting, planned from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on April 16 at Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 4 Industrial Drive, St. James.

This year’s workshop will feature presentations from:
• Nick Kuhn of the Missouri Department of Conservation, “Trees and Streets Can Work Together;”
• Catherine Jones of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Brownfields Program, “From Ugly Duckling to Swan;”
• Greg Batson of USDA Rural Development, “Economic Development Funding Opportunities;”
• Steve Belko of the Missouri Humanities Council, “Using Your Stories as an Economic Development Resource;”
Dan Lennon of the Missouri Division of Tourism, “Missouri Tourism: Impact and Opportunity;” and
Cyndra Lorey of the Rolla Regional Economic Commission, “How Certified Work Ready Communities Program is Good for Employees and Employers.”

MRPC Executive Director Bonnie Prigge will open the meeting with a welcome and introductions. Missouri Community Betterment Executive Director Jan Simon will showcase MCB and will lead an ideas sharing session at the end of the day.

For the second year in a row, MRPC is serving as host for this regional meeting.

Cost is $15 for person from an MCB-participating communities and $20 per person from non-participating communities. Lunch and workshop materials are included in the price.

RSVPs are requested by April 14 and can be made by calling Mary Ann Gorrell at 573-265-2993 or by emailing mgorrell@meramecregion.org.

To see the complete agenda, go to mocommunitybetterment.com and click on upcoming events.

The Missouri Community Betterment (MCB) Program, established in 1963, is designed to help Missouricommunities enhance their life through overall community development, planning and implementation. The MCB Program accomplishes this mission primarily by lending technical assistance to communities; by officially recognizing the participating communities and neighborhoods; and by awarding those that excel in the program.

MRPC, formed in 1969, is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and theirrespective cities. A professional staff of 20, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC and PHA news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.