The Distance

Investors & Partners,


We're in September! We hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.


Friends, it's no secret. Economic development is a long game. It requires us to think about how we want our community to look not just in one year, but five, ten, even twenty. Our job is to help communities remain forward-focused, always looking ahead to ensure intentional, balanced growth in Christian County.


While our staff might be working on several active projects at one time, we still may not see these projects complete for months or even years. 14 Mill Market was a project years in the making. As was 4 By 4 Brewing - Fremont Hills. Economic development is a long game, but when we finally see a project break ground, we know it was worth the wait.

That said, we're excited to partner with the Ozark and Nixa chambers of commerce to organize a groundbreaking ceremony for the Christian County Government Plaza project in Ozark. Everyone is invited to attend! Also, please don't forget we have a board meeting coming up on September 20th at 10am, located at 4 By 4 Brewing in Fremont Hills. We can't wait to see you there!


As always, we are incredibly thankful for our investors and partners. We treasure your constant support and engagement. Have a wonderful day!

Kristen Haseltine

President/CEO - Show Me Christian County

417-496-5987 (cell)

Visit us at showmeccmo.com

Coming Up Next!

The next Show Me Christian County board meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 4 By 4 Brewing in Fremont Hills. Be sure to mark your calendars, and watch out for further updates and information!

A groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Christian County Government Campus is set to take place on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10:30am! Join us as we celebrate the construction of an innovative project months in the making!

Webinar: Starting a Small Business


This workshop teaches participants essential concepts to consider before starting a small business. Taking place on Zoom on Sept 21 at 10am, this webinar is FREE and open to all entrepreneurs looking to get started with their business idea. Hosted by SBDC Missouri.


Click here for more info!

Seminar: QuickBooks Online


Thinking of using QuickBooks for your business but want to be able to navigate better and use features more efficiently? Taking place on Oct 11 at 8:30am, this hands-on training will show you how to work QBO for your business. Hosted by MSU's eFactory at 405 N Jefferson Ave, Springfield MO.


Click here for more info!

Christian County: Demographic Profile

In economic development, keeping track of demographic information is vital. With Christian County being the second-fastest growing county in Missouri, (population 93,114 and climbing!), there's a lot to keep track of! If you've ever wondered what our county looks like, we're happy to share some key statistics:

  • We're proud to see that Christian County boasts an 85.4% labor force participation. Across the nation, the US average is 63.4%.
  • Christian County's poverty level is below that of the national average. The US poverty level in August 2023 was 12.6%.
  • Veterans make up over 5% of our workforce, tallying 2,279 workers in all of Christian County.

Around the Ozarks

Ozark and Nixa named top schools in Springfield Metro Area!


We love our schools! Christian County schools are among the top-ranked in the Springfield area. Congrats to Nixa for claiming the #1 spot and Ozark taking #3 in this 2023 report!

New Season at Stained Glass Theater


A new season of shows is set to begin at the Stained Glass Theater in Ozark! "Trouble at Sweetwater Ranch," the first of the new series, opens on September 15!


For info on tickets and shows, click here!

CCL Outdoor Concert Series


The Outdoor Concert series at the Christian County Library is back! The first show, featuring musical group Paper Moons, is set for Sept 16 at 6pm!


Click here to learn more!

Ozark/Nixa Citywide Garage Sales


Both Ozark and Nixa will be holding citywide garage sales in the month of September. Follow the links below to get your sale listed!


Ozark: Sept 8-10

Nixa: Sept 21-23

Nixa Multicultural Festival


The 2nd Annual Multicultural Festival in Nixa will be happening on September 23 from 10-2pm! Celebrate diversity with performances, food vendors, and booths! You won't want to miss it!


Click here for more info!

Featured Stories

Groundbreaking announced for Christian County gov't facilities


A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Christian County government plaza will take place Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m.


Full news release here

OTC Richwood Valley awarded $1.7M in grant funding


This money is earmarked for a new workforce training facility in Christian County.


Full article on SBJ.net

Show Me FY2023 Year-in-Review


Check out our video recap of SMCC's many accomplishments and milestones over the past year.


View video here!

Name that Artist!

Every month, we title our newsletter after a song that seems fitting. Can you name the artist who originally recorded this month's song, The Distance?

Counting Crows
Cake
Marcy Playground
Harvey Danger
  • Arvest
  • Bank of Billings
  • Billings, City of
  • Bryan Properties
  • Callaway Gardner Real Estate
  • Central Bank of the Ozarks
  • Children's Smile Center
  • Christian County Government
  • Christian County Library
  • CJW Transportation Consultants
  • Clever, City of
  • Cochran Engineering
  • Connell Insurance
  • Creative Audio
  • DeWitt Construction
  • Esterly, Schneider, & Associates
  • FORVIS
  • Fremont Hills, City of
  • Great River Engineering
  • Great Southern Bank
  • Highlandville, City of
  • Jared Enterprises
  • Liberty


  • McDonald's - Nixa
  • McDonald's - Ozark
  • Mercy Health - Springfield Communities
  • Meridian Title Company
  • Nixa Chamber of Commerce
  • Nixa Community Foundation
  • Nixa School District
  • Nixa, City of
  • Ollis / Akers / Arney
  • Olsson Associates
  • Ozark, City of
  • Ozark Electric
  • Ozark School District
  • Ozarks Technical Community College
  • Paragon Architecture
  • Sapp Design Associates
  • Shaffer & Hines, Inc.
  • Stenger Management
  • Torgerson Design Partners
  • Toth & Associates
  • White River Valley Electric Cooperative
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