This month, we highlight the August 6th election with candidate information from the Informed Voter Coalition, focusing on Missouri Senate District 29 and Christian County Commissioner East and West races. Don't miss the MOBUCK$ loan application period and IARA tax credits for hiring interns/apprentices. Celebrate Signarama's relocation! Mark your calendars for SCORE's Acce$$ to Money event.

We appreciate our partners' support to drive positive change in Christian County.

The Informed Voter Coalition, a nonpartisan group encouraging voter participation, has partnered with Show Me Christian County to provide voters with unbiased information about candidates in the upcoming elections. This collaboration expands their focus from the Springfield area to include Christian County. The Coalition remains neutral and does not endorse any candidates.



Show Me Christian County is covering the Missouri Senate District 29 candidates—Mike Moon, Susan Haralson, and Ron Monnig—and the Christian County Commissioner East and West races. For both races, candidates were interviewed individually, given one minute to introduce themselves, and two minutes to answer the same questions, submitted by partner organizations and not provided in advance. Interview order was determined by random drawing. Information about the Senate candidates is already available on our website.

In addition to our current active project list, which includes projects such as site development, business attraction, redevelopment, and expansion, SMCC is involved in various development endeavors throughout the county. Please see below for a brief update on development endeavors and discussions occurring countywide.

We are excited to announce the upcoming application period for the MOBUCK$ program, which offers low-interest loans to eligible small businesses in Missouri. This initiative aims to support the growth and stability of small businesses by providing an opportunity to secure vital funding for various business needs, including expansion, hiring, and equipment investment.

Application Portal Open from Now until August 29

• Portal Closing: Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
• Loan Limits: Up to $2 million per application
• Available Funds: $500 million in new MOBUCK$ linked deposits

Key Details:

• Random Selection: After the portal closes, applications will be randomly selected until the $500 million limit is reached. Complete and timely responses to documentation requests will expedite processing.
• Processing Times: Expect longer processing times due to high demand. Notifications for unselected applications will begin around the first week of September.
• Renewals: Existing MOBUCK$ linked deposits can be renewed as usual, unaffected by the new application process.
• Eligibility: Participating lending institutions must have an active depository contract and account with the State Treasurer’s Office (STO).

For more details and to ensure eligibility, visit the MOBUCK$ Program Details or email LinkedDeposits@treasurer.mo.gov.

Reminder: IARA Application Period Has Started!

Application Periods:

• Preliminary: Now Through - November 15, 2024
• Full: January 1 - February 15, 2025

IARA Program: State tax credits for hiring interns or apprentices.

Funding Limits:

• $1,500 per intern/apprentice
• $9,000 max per company annually
• $1 million program cap per year

Eligibility:

• Interns: 60 hours/month for 2 months, enrolled in a Missouri institution, 30+ credit hours
• Apprentices: U.S. Department of Labor program, 144 hours of instruction, 2,000 hours of training

For further information on qualifications and application details, click here.

Join us as Signarama relocates to Christian County, Missouri! Discover how Show Me Christian County and our partners made this move possible and see the positive impact on our community.

Thanks to all our partners for making dreams a reality, and a special thank you to Zern and Dani Vess, the owners of Signarama, for sharing their story.

Celebrate their arrival in Ozark at the Ribbon Cutting on October 2nd at 11:30 AM!

The success of a business hangs on one vital factor: location. Christian County is centrally located with highway and air avenues to optimize your business operations. Take a look below for available properties and buildings in our region. We strive to keep our listings updated, but if you know of any properties available, please contact us to help ensure our information remains current.

Show Me Christian County aims to keep available locations within Christian County in one convenient place for viewing. We also link to their original listings.

SCORE's Acce$$ to Money event is on September 18th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Jay Wasson Idea Loft at the efactory in Springfield, MO. The event features over 30 entrepreneurial and finance experts, including keynote speaker John Oke-Thomas. Attendees can join panel discussions, workshops, and pitch competitions, offering valuable opportunities for those seeking business funding. 

For more details and registration: click here.

SMCC Board Meeting

The next board meeting will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at Nixa City Hall. This is an investor-only meeting.

Be sure to mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you there!

Investors, mark your calendars for our next First Tuesday meeting on August 6th, 2024, at Nixa City Hall. We'll discuss Retail Development and Attracting National Brands. Your presence and input are valued. To invite a guest, please contact SMCC.

Looking ahead, the First Tuesday meeting on September 3rd, 2024, at Nixa City Hall will focus on SMCC's legislative priorities. Bring your ideas to the table for an open discussion.

Buckle up for an eventful 2026! With Route 66's centennial, the US Semiquincentennial, and the World Cup, our community will shine. Expect a tourism surge, with bustling activity along the historic route and in nearby hotspots. Let's prepare now to make the most of these opportunities. Learn more.

The "Shop Where You Live" campaign promotes local businesses, job creation, public services, and sustainability. We're launching a county-wide bingo card to encourage exploration of Christian County. Complete a bingo for a chance to enter a raffle for prizes—an exciting summer activity!

Businesses can participate by donating a gift card to the raffle. Contact info@showmeccmo.com. Participating businesses will be featured on our website with a link to their site or social media.

SMCC shares "Shop Where You Live" content every 1st and 3rd Saturday!