The text of this document
Table of Contents Upcoming GHRPC Projects 23-24
New GHRPC Projects for our 23-24 fiscal year include:
Code Enforcement Program Business Service Specialist Appropriations PIDP—Port Infrastructure Development Program—AgriServices of Brunswick
A Message from the Executive Director………………………………………4 Meet the Team………………………………………………………..…….…5-7 EDA and Hazard Mitigation Planning……..…………………………...……...8 RISE…………………….…………………………………………………… … 9 Transportation Planning…………………………………....…………...…10-11 Current Grant Projects……………………………………………………..…..12 Broadband Development………………………………………………………13 Solid Waste Management District………………………………………...14-15 Workforce Development…………………………………………………...16-17 Green Hills Rural Development, Inc. & Business Transitioning……….…..18 Jackie Soptic’s Retirement Party……...……………………………….…..…19 Fiscal/Staff Retreat, Clerks Tea, Leadership NWMO…..…………...…..20-21 Board Members…………………………………………………….….…….22-25 Upcoming GHRPC 23-24 Projects……………………………………..……..26
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission 810 Washington Street Trenton, Mo 64683 Phone: 660-359-5636 Website: www.ghrpc.org
Fax: 660-776-3900 Email: ghrpc@ghrpc.org
A Message from the Executive Director
2022-2023 was another great year for Green Hills Regional Planning Commission, and as I celebrate my third Annual Meeting with GHRPC, I now have the perfect description for the organization—a “glorious whirlwind”. We have an incredible staff constantly moving and shaking across eleven counties and 74 communities. The years following the pandemic have been an exciting time to be a part of community development with an incredibly high level of funding coming for infrastructure and development related activities. As you read through the pages, I hope you are inspired by the progress the staff have made to build a stronger Green Hills Region. This year, GHRPC reached 55 years of regional impact. We are excited to celebrate this achievement with all of you and reflect on past achievements while we look to what the future holds for the Green Hills Region. GHRPC has continued to promote economic growth while building stronger community and workforce development programs.
Green Hills Rural Development, Inc. Board Members Jack Hodge, President
Stan Falke, Vice President
Danah Fowler, Secretary/Treasurer
Member
County
Dale Hartley Stan Falke Evan Emmerich Annie Gibson Michael Ormsby Jack Hodge Josh Muck Ed Douglas Gene Anderson
Caldwell Carroll Chariton Daviess Grundy Harrison Linn Livingston Mercer
Please join me and the staff as we thank you for all you do for GHRPC and the region we serve. I’m looking forward to seeing what amazing things happen in our region now and for the next 55 years! Sincerely, Corinne Watts
Transportation Advisory Committee
Meet the Team
Carl Carder - Chairman
Caldwell County Dale Akey, County Member Rhabecca Boerkircher, City Member C.R. “Bud” Motsinger, City Member
Carroll County Stan Falke, County Member John Sweeny, City Member Jeff Martin, Citizen Member
Chariton County Evan Emmerich, County Member Steve Kacvinsky, City Member Steve Sanders, Citizen Member
Daviess County Wayne Uthe, County Member Lance Rains, City Member Carl Carder, Citizen Member
Grundy County Phillip Ray, County Member Ron Urton, City of Trenton Mike Akers, Citizen Member
Harrison County Jack Hodge, County Member Jake Taylor, City Member Richard Graner, Citizen Member
Linn County Dick King, County Member Dana Tarpening, City Member Richard Switzer, Citizen Member
Livingston County Ed Douglas, County Member Jeff Gillespie, City Member David Link, Citizen Member
Mercer County Jerry Allen, County Member Cory Willett, City Member Gene Anderson, Citizen Member
Putnam County Robert Munden, County Member Charley Pittman, City Member
Sullivan County Chris May, County Member Crystal Bupp, City Member Danah Fowler, Citizen Mem-
Corinne Watts, Executive Director Corinne’s shared passion for community development and engagement led her to the roll of Executive Director at GHRPC in March of 2021. Since that time, she has led the organization, growing the programs, funding and staff. Prior to GHRPC, Corinne had been responsible for the development and management of workforce programs in the PacMtn region of Washington State. Corinne has experience managing both adult, youth state, and federal workforce programs in Washington. In addition to her knowledge of Workforce Development, she also brings familiarity with the community and technical college system as both an administrator and instructor. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 11 Email address: corinne@ghrpc.org
Lisa Colson, Director of Programs Lisa rejoined Green Hills Regional Planning Commission on March 1, 2022. She was previously with GHRPC from 1998-2006. During her 16 years in community development, she has expanded her skills to include creation and management of a community non-profit, community health administration, social and youth programs in addition to numerous infrastructure projects. Lisa has administrated approximately $55 million in project funds generated by grant writing, soliciting foundations and private donors, and forming relationships with industry and private businesses. She enjoys building relationships with the communities she works with and creating projects that lead to sustainability and growth for the region. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 23 Email address: lisa@ghrpc.org
Debbie Pergande, Fiscal Manager Debbie started working for the GHRPC in January of 2003. Debbie lives in Purdin with her husband, Rodger. She has 4 boys , 3 stepsons, 9 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Debbie started working in Workforce Development, then transitioned to office manager/fiscal assistant. In 2006, she moved to her current position as Fiscal Manager. Debbie also serves as secretary at her church and enjoys spending time with her family. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 16 Email address: debbie@ghrpc.org
Cathy Scott, Workforce Program Director Cathy has been with GHRPC going on 4 years. She has over 28 years of experience in social services, primarily with Family Support Division, as a supervisor helping families in need. Cathy is the Workforce Program Director for the Trenton/Chillicothe/Kirksville Job Centers, where we assist low income Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth with barriers with funding for training or post-secondary education. Cathy finds her job very rewarding, as she see participants attending training/school, reach their goals, graduate, and to successfully find employment. She has 9 grandchildren (6 girls and 3 boys) and loves spending time with them. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext.13 Email address: cathy@ghrpc.org
Meet the Team
North MO Solid Waste Management District Region B Board Members Jack Hodge, Chairman
Ann Hamilton, Solid Waste Program Manager/Fiscal Assistant Ann has worked for Green Hills Regional Planning Commission for over 19 years, previously she was a Demolition Specialist and Solid Waste Planner. She is currently the Solid Waste Program Manager, Fiscal Assistant, and 911 Coordinator. She has been married to her husband Randy for 29 years. They live in Chula and have 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons. She is involved with many organizations in her community and helps run her family farm with her two brothers. She enjoys traveling, camping, attending her grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with her family. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 20 Email address: ann@ghrpc.org
Rebecca TenHulzen, Business Service Specialist Rebecca started at Green Hills Regional Planning Commission in September 2023. She has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of South Carolina. She was born and raised in Charleston, SC. In her downtime you can find her spending time with her family, working hard on her homestead, and spending time outdoors. She looks forward to building relationships and helping our community thrive! Phone: (660) 240-1951 Email address: rebecca@ghrpc.org
Carly Taul, Code Enforcement Officer Carly started working at GHRPC in July 2023. She is GHRPC’s Code Enforcement Officer. Before starting her career with GHRPC, she worked in law enforcement in Trenton for over 4 years. Carly lives in Trenton with her boyfriend and 2 puppies. She supports her community whenever she can! Carly sees potential in this program and hopes the Code Enforcement Program flourishes and becomes one of a kind in the state of Missouri. Phone: (660) 240-1975 Email address: carly@ghrpc.org
Amanda George, TAC/SEMA/Assistant Planner Amanda started with GHRPC in July 2023. She and her partner Steve have a son, James. She grew up in Princeton, Missouri. After attending the University of Missouri, Columbia and Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas she returned to the region to be closer to her family. Upon returning to the area, she opened and operated a Group Home Childcare business for 13 years called “Tiny Tigers” in Princeton, Missouri. In addition, she and Steve opened Chief’s Tavern in 2010. She is looking forward to contributing her abilities to the Green Hills Region in both Transportation and Hazard Mitigation Planning. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 25 Email address: amanda@ghrpc.org
Ed Douglas, Vice Chairman
Chris May, Secretary/Treasurer
Caldwell County Dale Akey, Presiding Commissioner* Michelle Kelley, City of Braymer Rhabecca Boerkircher, City of Hamilton Joslynn Marco, City of Polo
Carroll County Stan Falke, Presiding Commissioner* John Sweeney, Town of Carrollton Chris Leabo, City of Norborne
Chariton County Evan Emmerich, Presiding Commissioner* Diane Ross, City of Brunswick Julie McKenzie, City of Keytesville Steven Kacvinsky, City of Salisbury
Daviess County Jim Ruse, Presiding Commissioner* Lance Rains, City of Gallatin Dana Urton, City of Jamesport
Grundy County Phillip Ray, Presiding Commissioner * Ron Urton, City of Trenton
Harrison County Jack Hodge, Presiding Commissioner* Jake Taylor, City of Bethany Tracy Scott, City of Ridgeway
Linn County Josh Muck, Associate Commissioner* Lonnie Trentham, City of Brookfield Sallie Buck, City of Marceline Mark Finney, City of Bucklin
Livingston County Ed Douglas, Presiding Commissioner* Theresa Kelly, City of Chillicothe
Mercer County Jerry Allen, Presiding Commissioner* Kurt Meighen, City of Princeton
Putnam County Robert Munden, Presiding Commissioner* Charley Pittman, City of Unionville
Sullivan County Chris May, Presiding Commissioner* David Field, City of Green City Andrew Herington, City of Milan *Member of the Executive Board
Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Board Members Robert Munden, Chairman
Jack Hodge, Secretary
Caldwell County Dale Akey, Presiding Commissioner Rhabecca Boerkircher, City of Hamilton C.R. “Bud” Motsinger, Citizen Representative
Carroll County Stan Falke, Presiding Commissioner John Sweeney, Town of Carrollton Jeffery Martin, Citizen Representative
Chariton County Evan Emmerich, Presiding Commissioner Steve Kacvinsky, City of Salisbury Steve Sanders, Citizen Representative
Daviess County Jim Ruse, Presiding Commissioner Lance Rains, City of Gallatin Roy Pendleton, Citizen Representative
Grundy County Phillip Ray, Presiding Commissioner Ron Urton, City of Trenton Chris Hoffman, Citizen Representative
Harrison County Jack Hodge, Presiding Commissioner Jake Taylor, City of Bethany Richard Graner, Citizen Representative
Linn County Dick King, Presiding Commissioner Dana Tarpening, City of Brookfield Richard Switzer, Citizen Representative
Livingston County Ed Douglas, Presiding Commissioner Theresa Kelly, City of Chillicothe Vacant, Citizen Representative
Mercer County Jerry Allen, Presiding Commissioner Cory Willett, City of Princeton Gene Anderson, Citizen Representative
Putnam County Robert Munden, Presiding Commissioner Charley Pittman, City of Unionville Jack Tucker, Citizen Representative
Sullivan County Chris May, Presiding Commissioner Crystal Bupp, City of Milan Danah Fowler, Citizen Representative
Phillip Ray, Vice Chairman Ron Urton, Treasurer
Meet the Team
Crystal Sprofera, Lead Workforce Development Specialist Crystal joined GHRPC in June 2021 as a Workforce Development Specialist. In September, 2023 she was promoted to the Lead Workforce Development Specialist. She married her best friend, Anthony 10 years ago. Her background is primarily in Non-Profit and working with Adults with Disabilities. She has always wanted to work within a youth program and is happy to have joined GHRPC. Crystal looks forward to contributing her best to ensure that local youth have the skills and support they need to be successful. Phone: (660) 646-0671 - Chillicothe Job Center Email address: crystal@ghrpc.org
Cassidy Russell, Workforce Development Specialist Cassidy joined GHRPC in December 2022 as a Office Assistant. Cassidy’s role changed in July and she is now a Workforce Development Specialist in the Trenton/Kirksville/ Chillicothe Job Centers. She and her husband have 2 children, ages 11 and 9. She lives in Laredo and enjoys gardening and her French Bulldog, Potato. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 17 Email address: cassidy@ghrpc.org
Tara Curd, Workforce Development Specialist Tara joined GHRPC in September 2023 as a workforce Development Specialist in the Trenton/Kirksville/Chillicothe Job Centers. Tara previously worked in the Solid Waste Department part-time. She has 3 daughters ages 17, 13, and 5. Tara enjoys watching football, camping and, being outdoors. Phone: (660) 359-5636 Ext. 21 Email address: tara@ghrpc.org
Colleen Hinshaw, Office Manager/Fiscal Assistant Colleen started working at GHRPC in December 2022. She originally was in the CDBG department working on grants. In July 2023, she moved to Office Manager and helps in the fiscal department. She lives in Lineville, Iowa with her husband of 35 years, Brent. They have 2 sons and a grandson on his way. She loves all kinds of music, and being with her family and friends. Phone: 660-359-5636 Ext. 15 Email address: colleen@ghrpc.org
Economic Development Staff Retreat - June 2023 The Green Hills Regional Planning Commission is recognized by the Economic Development Administration as an Economic Development District and receives planning grant funds on an annual basis. Each year, the District is required to provide EDA with an Annual Scope of Work which encompasses all of the activities that staff will complete. This partnership and funding allows the Planning Commission to dedicate staff to serve the economic development needs and interests of the region. A major focus of the District’s Annual Scope of Work is to provide technical assistance to the region’s economic developers and leaders who are involved in economic and community development on the local level, including assistance in community strategic planning, grant writing and representing the region at the state and local level. What is a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy? A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies. The CEDS analyzes the regional economy and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, developing and implementing a regional plan of action, and identifying investment priorities and funding sources. This strategy is updated every five years.
Hazard Mitigation Planning
June 7th the staff started their day with a lesson in Strength Building and teamwork with John Nabb, an awesome BBQ, and a fun ball game! It was a good day and very appreciated by the staff.
Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2023 Lisa Colson was in Leadership Northwest Missouri’s graduating class of 2023! This was an exciting leadership development opportunity that brings together participants from throughout a 19-county region to hone their leadership skills, explore regional issues and gain a network of contacts.
Hazard Mitigation Plan updates are an ongoing service of the Regional Planning Commission as each county is required to have a current/approved plan on file with SEMA/FEMA in order for the county to be eligible to apply for mitigation funds from SEMA/FEMA should a need exist as a result of a natural disaster. The planning process incorporates input from a variety of stakeholder representatives including: local government agencies, departments, emergency services, the general public, school districts, non-profits and the business community. In addition to the stakeholder feedback, the planning process utilizes an in-depth assessment of natural hazards, vulnerabilities and risks. Caldwell County’s HMP plan was completed in 2022. Several plans in the region are scheduled to expire between 2024 through 2026. The RPC expects to be heavily involved in plan updates in the fall of 2023 and on a continuing basis in the upcoming years. Maintaining current plans is a priority for the RPC and staff is allocated as needed to ensure plans do not lapse.
Fiscal Retreat March 2023 GHRPC hosted the 2023 Fiscal Retreat in Chillicothe this year. The Fiscal Retreat was well attended by many RPC in the state.
RISE
In November 2022, partners announced, via a press release to regional and statewide media outlets, the newly developed partnership and Show Me Jobs project. MOSourceLink also promoted the announcement through its regular newsletter sent to over 6,000 subscribers, published the press release as a blog on its website and shared with followers across its social media channels including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. As a result, the published blog post at mosourcelink.com received 85 page views. In addition, partners have met a number of additional organizations one-on-one to build awareness and actively engage them in the Show Me Jobs project. Organizations come from and serve the defined service area and beyond. UMKC and GHRPC have organized discussions with the Small Business Development Center at UMKC, MU Agriculture and Business Policy Extension, Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority, Atchison County Development Corporation, BTC Bank, and others. On February 16, 2023, Show Me Jobs partners convened with small agricultural business owners and industry support organizations for a Partner Kickoff networking event. Thirteen individuals attended the event. During the networking event MOSourceLink and Green Hills Regional Planning Commission shared an overview of the Show Me Jobs project; community and industry organizations identified and mapped assets their organizations could contribute to the project; and entrepreneurs in attendance shared areas of need for their businesses. Between February, 2023 and June of 2023, GHRPC hosted four events for Rural Businesses and Entrepreneurs. These events were held to increase the knowledge of the value of agriculture in the Region and to create an asset map that can be shared with local businesses. The asset map includes physical assets, skill assets, capital assets, and social assets with the Green Hills Region and the State of Missouri.
2nd Annual Clerks Tea May 2023 In May of 2023 GHRPC held our 2nd Annual Clerks Tea. Mary WestCalcagno and Valerie Main, from MRWA, were our speakers. County and City Clerks attended, networking with fellow clerks, learning what MRWA had to offer Counties and Municipalities, and enjoying an afternoon celebrating them and their dedication to their Counties and Cities.
Projected Impact 2022-2026
Outcomes: • 100 existing businesses increase capacity through the addition of new jobs, increased sales, increased knowledge and/or debt/equity infusion • 5 businesses access debt funds through revolving loan sources to expand capacity • 20 new business starts • 4 businesses increase sales by becoming part of the supply chain for urban corporations • 150 new jobs
Transportation Planning
Students testing out the distracted driving goggles at the Sullivan County Health Fair.
Retirement Green Hills Regional Planning Commission celebrated Transition Director Jackie Soptic’s retirement. Jackie was an integral part of the GHRPC’S growth and leadership for 33 years. The staff at GHRPC wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) The TAC incorporates local communities into the statewide transportation process by accepting responsibilities such as attending and participating in quarterly meetings; understanding the scope of work to be accomplished by the TAC and the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission; understanding the planning framework process and how the TAC’s involvement is incorporated into the process; providing input on transportation needs in our counties and communities; distributing information to communities and residents; prioritizing transportation needs for the Green Hills region; and prioritizing multimodal transportation projects for the region. The GHRPC TAC annually compiles a ranked list of transportation needs in the eleven county region which is submitted to MoDot for consideration. GHRPC had several awarded projects in FY23 including:
Route MM, O, 5 (Linn County) - ADA improvements in Browning and Purdin Route M (Chariton/Carroll) - Bridge Rehabilitation over the Grand River near Bosworth I-35 in Harrison County - Seal Coat from Route N to Route 136 Route 10 Carroll County Scrub Seal from Route FF to Route 65 in Carrollton
Advocating for Roadway Safety
As a member of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, GHRPC takes a role in the partnership of safety advocates throughout the state who have come together with the goal to end traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roadways. We participate in a variety of safety activities throughout the year, including the annual Highway Safety Conference. Our Transportation Planning Staff educates the public by promoting Missouri’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan with four areas of emphasis:
Occupant Protection Distracted Driving Speed and Aggressive Driving Impaired Driving
Green Hills Rural Development, Inc.
Transportation Planning
GHRDI is a 501(c)3 development subsidiary of the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission. GHRDI offers its status to organizations and initiatives through the region that require a 501(c)3 conduit for IRS deduction purposes. This service saves the organization the costs involved in obtaining their own 501(c)3 and assists in record keeping and fund management. GHRDI is governed by an eleven member Board of Directors comprised of persons from the business and local government sectors. The primary function of GHRDI is the administration of Revolving Loan Funds. Currently, the 501 (c)3 manages loan pools seeded by the USDA Rural Development, and the Community Development Block Grant/HUD program. Each loan pool has its distinct purpose and is intended to serve as gap financing to assist with the financing needs of new business start-ups or expansions. Prospective borrowers are required to present their loan requests to the Board and the members evaluate the merit and approval or denial of the request.
Grow Your Business... Multimodal transportation encompasses freight movement, including over-the-road trucking, rail, air, and waterways. Multimodal also includes public transit options such as trains and buses, as well as bicycle and pedestrian travel routes such as trails and sidewalks. In 2022, GHRPC, in partnership with AGRIServices of Brunswick, was awarded a Port Infrastructure Development Program Grant to increase barge handling and expand the capacity of the ASB facility.
Business Transitioning
RDBG Business Transitioning is a new grant that was awarded to GHRDI for the purpose of helping entrepreneurs who are either retiring or closing their business. This is geared to help them find new people to either take over the business by different means. GHRPC staff is assisting with the administration of the grant and GHRDI has contracted with Cup Half Full, run by Jackie Soptic, to host workshops and gather information to assist business owners with the transition.
This project includes: 1. A new heavy-lift sheet pile dock. 2. Replacement of four 40-year-old captive dock barges with tripod dolphins to increase boat crew and employee safety. 3. Replacement of a 40-year-old storage facility to increase capacity and product availability to assure crop production and safety. 4. A new rail spur to increase supply chain resiliency during low water or flooding events at the port. The projects require $11M in funding and will be completed as funding permits. The projects will also help the Port to become a more sustainable, multimodal facility with redundancy and resiliency for both people and goods.
Workforce Development
Current CDBG Grant Projects
Workforce Statistics Community Development Block Grant Supports the planning and development within the Green Hills region to help create successful projects and better our counties. Current Grant Projects
Jurisdiction
Project Type
Grant Amount Administration Funds
Hamilton (Distribution)
City of Hamilton Water Distribution
Hamilton (Drought)
City of Hamilton Water Distribution
$266,930.00
$19,881.00
Caldwell Co. PWSD No. 3
Caldwell County Water Distribution
$349,256.00
$19,340.00
Gallatin
City of Gallatin
$500,00.00
$28,000.00
Princeton
City of Princeton Water Treatment/ Storage
$750,000.00
$38,000.00
Sullivan Sullivan County Water Distribution Drought PWSD No. 1
$535,800.00
$25,346.00
Street Project
79 customers enrolled in WIOA Program Services 5 (SNAP) Food Stamp Employment & Training customers enrolled 23 Youth Program participants More than 1,711 job orders listed with 3,000 vacancies in the Green Hills Subregion
$500,000.00
Success Story
$28,800.00
Milan
City of Milan
Water Distribution
$243.700.00
$18,963.00
Milan (Drought)
City of Milan
Water Distribution
$176,216.00
$16,393.00
Brunswick
City of Brunswick
Street Project
$465,319.00
$25,500.00
Laclede
City of Laclede
Street Project
$500,00.00
$28,846.00
Hunter Caldarello attended and graduated from Grand River Technical School receiving an Electrical Certificate of Completion in May 2022. He needed to complete an additional year at North Central Missouri College (NCMC) to obtain his Electrical Certification to become a licensed Electrician. He contacted the Trenton Job Center inquiring about WIOA services. He is the caregiver of his grandma and was not employed at the time of enrollment. He was unable to receive his Pell Grant due to academic probation from his past college days right out of high school. Hunter received a 4.0 GPA for both Fall and Spring Semesters. He graduated in May 2023 receiving a Certificate of Achievement as a AAS graduate with honors for the program of Applied Technology. Hunter is now employed full time at Modine Manufacturing as a Maintenance Electrician. Great job Hunter!
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Services
Provides training services to low income adults, dislocated workers, and youth 4 dislocated workers enrolled in training 19 adults enrolled in training 15 youth enrolled in training
Services include but are not limited to: classroom occupational training, on-the-job training, job readiness workshops, staff-assisted job searches,, labor market information, the National Career Readiness Certificate assessment, job matching and referrals to jobs.
Workforce Development
Broadband Development
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act The Workforce Innovations and Opportunities Act (WIOA) authorizes Workforce Development Programs. As with all forms of government services, it is necessary to evaluate products and services to ensure that they are timely, up to date and valuable to our customers. Building on the previous year’s plan, Green Hills Regional Planning Commission Workforce Development staff have partnered with Job Center staff, Adult Education and Literacy (AEL), and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), as well as other public assistance organizations and agencies to help provide additional services offered to job seekers in the region. These strengthened partnership efforts, add value to our customers' visits and deepen our efforts to braid resources where appropriate. We continue to work with our customers to help them understand the importance of taking the lead in investing in their own futures. We help them learn to make choices that provide or improve employment, reduce or remove the need for public assistance, contribute to financial stability for them and their families, and grow local communities. We are grateful to be able to continue to provide these services and programs in our local communities, make a difference one person at a time.
In partnership with Missouri’s Office of Broadband Development and the nineteen regional planning commissions, the University of Missouri System Office of Engagement and MU Extension facilitated listening sessions in October and November 2022 in 24 locations across the state. Two listening sessions were held in the GHRPC region. The findings of these listening sessions are vital to the state receiving federal funding for the expansion of internet service and the support of digital equity services and programs to connect all Missourians. The questions were consistent in all locations across the State, and the answers were recorded by location. In the future, as the Broadband Infrastructure monies come through the region, GHRPC can assist by assessing future workforce needs across all infrastructure programs, identifying and expanding earn and learn opportunities, and assist the State Broadband Agency to develop relationships with non-governmental partners industry groups, workforce intermediary organizations, communitybased organizations, unions and educational institutions.
Job Center Services Re-employment Services Orientation to Job Center services Assessment of individual skills Provision of LMI to help customers make choices for training and employment Training information and WIOA training grants Service referrals for additional unmet needs Training opportunities through partner agencies Workshops Online computer training courseware
Solid Waste Management District North Missouri Solid Waste Management District – Region B was formed in 1992 in conjunction with Senate Bill 530, which created 20 Solid Waste Districts in Missouri. Region B is the largest District consisting of 11 counties in north central Missouri including Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam, and Sullivan. There are 74 communities in our 11-county district. Recycling at the Missouri State Fair Region B partners with the Missouri State Fair, the Missouri State Recycling Program, and the Missouri Recycling Association to promote recycling at the Missouri State Fair. Region B helps set out approximately 300 recycling containers throughout the fairgrounds for patrons of the State of Missouri to utilize. Ann had noticed a lot of recyclables going in the trash in the campground at the fair. When she asked the State Fair about it they said that they had avoided recycling in the campground area because they did not have staff to monitor the bins. Ann started a pilot program offering recycling in the campground in 2022. She was able to talk to patrons on the benefits of recycling while monitoring the bins. The first year was very successful and Ann hopes to add more bins in 2023. In 2022, there were 6.89 tons of cardboard, plastic, and aluminum recycled during the fair. Missouri Product Stewardship Council Region B has been very active in the Missouri Product Stewardship Council since its formation in 2018. Ann has been working on the pharmaceutical’s workgroup where a map of all the locations in Missouri that accept unwanted prescriptions has been created. The workgroup is learning about the importance of proper medication disposal and participating in a discussion to develop the next steps for pharmaceutical stewardship in Missouri. In Missouri households, medications make up the top 3 poisonous substances in children aged 5 years and younger with a record of 77,908 medication poisonings between 2015-2020 (Missouri Poison Center, 2020). More information: http://www.tinyurl.com/missouri-meds #MOSaferDisposal
District Grant Program
Harrison County Collection Harrison County had a banned and special item collection on October 29, 2022 to collect tires, electronics, scrap metal, appliances, rechargeable batteries, lead acid batteries, household batteries, and household hazardous waste.
Linn County Collection A partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources for a free Pesticide Collection was held in Brookfield on April 15, 2023. There were 12,393 pounds of herbicides and pesticides collected from 16 participants. The Missouri Pesticide Collection Program’s mission is to help protect human health and the environment by collecting and ensuring safe disposal of waste pesticides from Missouri farmers and households while educating citizens of Missouri on how to properly manage and reduce pesticide waste.
Earth Day Poster Contests – The 1st Annual Earth Day Poster contest theme was “Recycle Right – Plastic Bottles and Aluminum Cans.” Ann Hamilton, NMSWMD Program Manager/Planner stated that “We were thrilled to see so many entries and hope that next year’s contest is even more successful.” There were 181 entries from 6 schools in our district and 61 students were honored with first and second place awards and honorable mentions. The contest was open to kindergarten through 12th grade and homeschool students who reside or attend school in our 11-county region. Schools participating were North Mercer R-3, Ridgeway R-5, Grundy County R-5, Cainsville R-1, Putnam County R-1, and Hale R-1.
This program provides financial assistance to cities, counties, non-profits and other organizations that will develop new or improved programs that will reduce the generation of solid waste, will create new markets or improve markets for recovered material, or will improve the handling of items banned from landfills by Missouri law. Hope Haven Industries, Inc. a sheltered workshop in Chillicothe received grant funding for $20,000.00 to purchase a newer pickup, which will be used to collect and transport recyclables in our District.
For more information about NMSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the North Missouri area, contact Ann Hamilton, NMSWMD Program Manager/Planner, at 660-359-5636 or by email at ann@ghrpc.org. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068022312428
