Get out there and vote!

Election day is fast approaching, and the Show Me board and team are encouraging citizens of Ozark and Nixa to vote yes respectively on the Public Safety Use Tax and the 1-cent Sales Tax Increase.

In 2000, the population of Christian County was 54,285. In the 22 years since, that number has ballooned to 91,126, an increase of almost 75%. In the graph below, you can see how the populations of Ozark and Nixa alone have swelled over the past 30 years. As our population increases, so does the demand for vital public safety resources and recreational opportunities. Each of these ballot measures seek to address those needs.

Ozark’s proposed use tax will generate revenue specifically for public safety. Industry standards indicate that Ozark is short by at least 7 officers for the city’s current size and call volume. Current facilities cannot accommodate a growing staff, as there is a dire need for additional workstations and restrooms, as well as new vehicles and designated male and female locker rooms with showers. The Use Tax will allow Ozark PD to build a new facility and increase personnel.

Nixa faces a similar challenge, and the one-cent sales tax increase is the answer. A 2021 staffing study shows that 11 additional officers are needed today. Plans have been outlined for a new police station that can meet space requirements for a growing police force over the next 20 years. Additionally, the community’s X-Center is maxed out and in need of expansion. A new Sports Complex will not only meet community needs, but also spur economic growth, as hosting regional sporting events and tournaments will bring tourism and new revenue to Nixa.

If you are a resident of Ozark or Nixa, vote "yes" to support our growing county. To learn more about these ballot initiatives, please visit www.backozarkblue.com and www.nixavision2040.org.

Kristen Haseltine

President/CEO - Show Me Christian County

417-496-5987 (cell)

Connect Your Business

Missouri One-Start has outlined criteria for eligible businesses to take part in a state-wide program that assists with workforce training. MOS is inviting eligible companies to list themselves on their Job Board, with plans to promote Southwest Missouri in the works. This is a great opportunity for businesses that are currently hiring to get their name out there!

Visit Missouri One-Start's website to learn more

Residents of Southwest Missouri will have an opportunity to weigh in on state plans to get every Missourian online when officials from the Missouri Office of Broadband Development (OBD) visit the region. The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments will host two meetings on Thursday, November 10, 2022: 8:30 AM in Branson at City Hall, 110 W Maddux St # 210, Branson, MO, and 12:30 PM in Springfield at the Missouri Job Center, 2900 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, MO.

Visit the Connecting All Missourians landing page for more info

Organizational Updates

Rachel Campbell hired as Office Administrator

Show Me's search for an Office Administrator was concluded with the hiring of Rachel Campbell, an Evangel graduate and former Jordan Valley staffer. Rachel's first day was Oct 24.

Rachel started at Jordan Valley Community Health Center as a Patient Advocate Team Lead before serving as a Strategic Partner for Care Coordination. Before transitioning to Show Me, Rachel worked to support the Jordan Valley research team, connecting patients with much-needed community aid and opportunities, and she was tasked with spearheading the organization's Medicare expansion campaign in response to COVID-19. She is also a member of the Ozarks Literacy Council board.

Rachel says, “As someone who personally views the Ozarks as one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest, I am so excited to join a team that gets to shine a spotlight on Christian County on a daily basis.”

First Expanded Board Meeting

The Show Me team is excited to announce that our first expanded board meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 16 at the Ozark Innovation Center. The meeting will begin promptly at 10 a.m. in the Conference Center.

The address is 1600 W Jackson St, Ozark MO. You will find the entrance on the east side of the facility. All investors are invited to attend. We can't wait to see you there!

Sparta Business Walk Results

In September, Show Me partnered with the Sparta Chamber of Commerce to hold a business walk in Sparta, Missouri. We collected responses from 23 storefronts, gaining valuable information from olocal business owners and leaders. Anna Evans has compiled and presented the results of our business walk into a single, full report, which can be accessed here and on our website.

You may view the report by clicking the button below:

Full Report

Grant Opportunities

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has released guidance about the upcoming funds available from the American Rescue Plan Act. DED is responsible for administering a portion of Missouri's ARPA funds in the following categories:

Community Revitalization - deadline November 30
Tourism
Small Business

Small Business Grant

This grant program provides assistance to small businesses through reimbursements for expenses resulting from the negative economic impacts experienced as a result of COVID-19, including speciﬁc support for minority and women-owned businesses. This is a first come, first served grant; it is highly recommended that applicants have ALL of the necessary application material ready before November 14 to be submitted as soon as applications are open.

Final guidelines for the Small Business Grant Program have been posted, with applications set to open the week of November 14.

The SMCC team has worked with local and regional partners to identify large-scale projects that benefit Christian County and will continue working with these partners to apply for funding opportunities as funding categories are opened.

For more information about ARPA funds via DED, click below.

Click to view DED ARPA Resources

On the Ballot

Election Day is fast approaching. Ozark and Nixa have two important ballot issues coming up, and as of our September board meeting, the Show Me board has voted to endorse both. We encourage residents to vote YES on these ballot measures.

This Election Day, Ozark will be voting to institute a local use tax to support public safety. The local use tax is only for out-of-state purchases made online. The revenue generated from this tax will go towards hiring more officers, updating facilities, maintaining the fleet, and strengthening community presence.

Missouri’s sunset clause makes this election the last time a local use tax can be on the ballot. A sunset clause is an expiration date. If we don’t pass this measure, we will not have the opportunity to get this funding for public safety again!

Visit BackOzarkBlue.com to learn more

On the ballot in Nixa is a proposal for a one-cent general sales tax increase. The city currently collects a 1-cent general sales tax dedicated to the general fund, which in turn funds Parks and Police. The City of Nixa has not raised its general sales tax since 1987.

Part of the proposal is to build a new police headquarters building in Nixa, as well as hiring more officers, and building a new Indoor Sports Complex. These projects address the needs of a rapidly growing population, as Nixa's population has more than doubled since 2000.

Visit NixaVision2040.org for more info

Show Me on the Road

SMCOG Annual Meeting - Springfield, MO

Anna and Melaina attended the annual meeting of the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments. Executive Director Jason Ray presented SMCOG's annual report and gave an update on regional planning initiatives for 2023. SMCOG is finalizing work on Christian County's updated comprehensive plan, which will outline long-term goals and objectives for transportation, economic development, land use, and more.

MEDC Fall Conference - Columbia, MO

Kristen attended the Missouri Economic Development Council's 2022 Fall Conference in Columbia, MO. The conference consisted of teaching sessions, professional panels, legislative updates and networking opportunities.

The view over Columbia, MO at an MEDC evening event.

Billings Business Walk - Billings, MO

SMCC partnered with the city of Billings to visit local employers and conduct brief surveys about doing business in Billings. Data collected will be reported in aggregate to local city and council leaders. The report will also be made available on the Show Me website.

SBJ Economic Growth Series - Ozark, MO

Rachel attended the Economic Growth Survey at the Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing, hosted by the Springfield Business Journal. After a panel discussion about changes to trends in the workforce, the event concluded with a self-guided tour of the facility, where participants were able to test out robot packaging technology and observe classes on the manufacturing floor.

OTO Annual Legislative Breakfast - Ozark, MO

Kristen and Anna attended the Ozark Transportation Organization's annual legislative breakfast in Ozark. OTO discussed progress and plans for regional transportation and trail projects, honored outgoing legislators Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Billy Long, and invited feedback on their Destination 2045 long range transportation plan. Information on the Destination 2045 LRTP can be found here.

Ozark City Administrator Steve Childers gives a community update at OTO's breakfast.

Promoting Our Community

Winter is on its way, and with the season of togetherness comes numerous holiday celebrations in the Ozarks. Take a look below to see what's happening in Christian County and beyond!