R-T Photo/Diane Lowrey
Crystal Webber with the University of Missouri Extension served as facilitator for Wednesday’s Stronger Economies Together forum held in Trenton. Representatives from Grundy, Sullivan and Daviess counties attended the meeting, which is one of four planned to develop an economic development strategy for what has been designated as the Green Hills Heritage Highway (Highway 6), which travels through the three counties.
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Forty people attended the Stronger Economics Together program that was held on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at the Ketcham Community Center.
The goal of the forum was to create a high quality plan to build the region’s current and emerging economic strengths. The USDA has designated Daviess, Grundy and Sullivan counties as the SET region, which is being called the Green Hills Heritage Route.
During the forum, the University of Missouri Extension staff identified and discussed the strengths and challenges that exist within the three county region. Data was presented by Pat Curry of the university, which indicated that the three-county region’s data shows well in the area of high school graduation rates, selective migration and an increase in rate of population. The population decline that has occurred since the early 1900’s can be attributed to technology such as farming and manufacturing, which has become more efficient because less people are needed. Poverty continues to be higher than the state average at 19.3 percent and the average earnings in the county region are $35,826, compared to the state average of $47,162.
The session concluded with the participants identifying that marketing natural resources, recreation and sportsman assets and developing and marketing tourism opportunities are the top three opportunities that could be used in the region.
According to Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Jackie Soptic, who helped organize the meeting, in addition to the top three opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurs to start businesses along the Highway 6 route will be focused on in the upcoming sessions. The next meeting will be held in Jamesport on Nov. 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. The location is yet to be determined.
Persons interested in participating are encouraged to get involved and attend. For more information about the process, persons can contact Mrs. Soptic at 660-359-5636, ext. 12, or by e-mail at [email protected].