Investors & Partners,

The end of the year is just around the corner, but the Show Me Christian County team is not slowing down! As the holidays approach, we reflect on 2023 with pride. Some of the highlights of our year include: 

• 16 active development projects
• Including 4 “campus” developments serving multiple businesses
• Three SMCC projects opened for business in 2023
• Sectors making development plans with SMCC in Christian County
• Manufacturing/industrial, logistics/distribution, sports & recreation, healthcare, hospitality, general commercial, small business start-up, nonprofit
• Great strides in our marketing, communications, and investor relations efforts
• Monthly economic development meetings with municipalities to discuss community goals, projects, grant funding, and public improvements in Billings, Clever, Highlandville, Nixa, Ozark and Sparta
• New and renewed investment and board engagement
• Active social channels with exponential growth in social media impressions
• Government relations efforts
• 2 visits to Jefferson City during legislative session
• 3 visits to Christian County from state elected officials

We are looking forward to an active 2024 as Christian County continues to see interest from employers and skilled professionals across industries. We are always thankful for the support of our investors, community leaders, and regional partners. 

Our team wishes you a peaceful and happy holiday season!

Kristen Haseltine

President/CEO - Show Me Christian County

417-496-5987 (cell)

Visit us at showmeccmo.com

As the new Marketing Manager for Show Me, Stevie Barfoot will be the new guiding hand behind both internal and external communication strategies. Stevie employs a versatile approach, utilizing a combination of traditional and digital media.

With a rich background in the medical industry spanning the last 5 years, Stevie has seamlessly blended her skills in marketing, web, and design. During this time, she navigated diverse projects for clients across the United States, demonstrating a keen understanding of patient education. She has also spent an additional 2 years working in the textile industry in similar creative roles.

Stevie's journey extends beyond her professional roles, with numerous years dedicated to freelance design and photography. Her creative eye and technical expertise converge to produce visually compelling narratives, capturing moments that resonate with viewers.

“I'm excited to be a part of a team that is fueled by passion for our community. I'm delighted to be able to leverage my creative skills to help highlight more of Christian County." - Stevie

The next Show Me Christian County board meeting will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 at Nixa City Hall. Be sure to mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you there!

The City of Nixa is thrilled to introduce Nixa 2045, our comprehensive planning initiative guiding growth for the next 20 years. This inclusive process, spanning land use, transportation, education, parks, housing, and more, invites public input through an online survey, pop-up events, and a citywide planning charrette.

Visit Nixa2045.com for details, apply for the Community Stakeholder Committee here by December 22, and share your priorities in the public survey by February 2, 2024. Your involvement is vital in crafting a plan that honors Nixa's history while shaping its vibrant future.

Whether you're shaping your business plan, delving into financial projections, or seeking guidance on technology commercialization, the expert team at the eFactory SBDC is an excellent resource.

Benefit from coaching, mentorship, and training sessions covering various business subjects.

Elevate your business's success with SCORE'S step-by-step business plan template. It guides you through key sections, uncovering weaknesses, seizing opportunities, and preparing for challenges.

The SBA provides a wealth of online resources, including guides, templates, and tools to help entrepreneurs start, manage, and grow their businesses.

The Southern Missouri Innovation Network is a collaborative network of businesses and organizations, uniting to amplify its impact. By connecting workers to training, entrepreneurs to resources, and employers to talent, it aims to propel regional growth and prosperity. Their mission is to transform communities across the southernmost 47 counties in Missouri, unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Share your favorite business resources here for a chance to have them showcased in an upcoming newsletter.

Each month, we title our newsletter after a song that seems fitting. This month, we decided to change things up a little. In honor of the holidays, can you pick out the original artist that sang this song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?