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Summer 2025 - Making progress on Children's Smile Center's new HQ in Nixa, MO
(photo by Stevie Barfoot, SMCC)
| | In This Edition - Letter from President/CEO | |
SMCC contributors and partners,
In this month's newsletter, you'll find updates on our team's activities over the past month, and a cool showcase about how ExploreCCMO is gaining traction locally and regionally. Be sure to check out the impactful workshops and resources available to your business as well.
Other news and updates:
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Kristen, Anna, and Rachel attended the 2025 Governor's Conference on Economic Development, presented by the Missouri Economic Development Council. We connected with economic development professionals across the state to dive deeper into topics like power demand and utility infrastructure, workforce trends, a 2026 tourism forecast, Missouri child care funding solutions, road and bridge funding, and more.
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We have been so fortunate in past years to recruit undergraduate interns through our partnership with MSU’s Leadership in Community Service program. This year, we attended the MSU job fair to promote internship opportunities with our organization. We hope to introduce a new face soon!
Thank you again for your vital partnership and collaboration. None of this happens without YOU!
Looking forward,
Kristen Haseltine
President/CEO - SMCC
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The next investor-only board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 at 10:00 AM at the Faught Administration Center Community Room in Nixa.
Be sure to mark your calendars. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | Investors, mark your calendars for our next First Tuesday meeting at 10:00 AM on Oct. 7 to be held at the Faught Administration Center Community Room in Nixa. October's meeting will lead with a brief presentation by Jeff Pinkerton, Director of Economic Research for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, on Key Local & State Economic Indicators, with discussion to follow. Your presence and input are highly valued. You won't want to miss it! To invite a guest, please contact SMCC. | | |
Board Meeting Location Reminder*!
Faught Administration Center – Community Room
301 S. Main St, Nixa, MO 65714
Enter through the circle drive at the back of the building.
*We will hold SMCC board meetings at the Faught Community Room for the remainder of 2025 as Nixa City Hall Council chambers are renovated.
| | Promoting Christian County - Region & State | | |
Explore Christian County showcased at Tourism Day at the Missouri State Fair
Our team had a great time participating in the Missouri State Fair’s Leisure Travel Trade Show on “Tourism Day”, Thursday, August 14, in Sedalia, MO. This annual event brings communities and attractions together from across the state to inspire future Missouri adventures.
At our booth, Rachel and Stevie hosted a collaborative “paint by numbers” activity where visitors helped bring a kayaker to life within a river landscape. More than 50 fairgoers added their brushstrokes alongside the SMCC team.
This interactive activity was a hit with visitors, with many returning to the booth throughout the day to check the artwork's progress, learning more about Christian County each time!
The finished piece is now a one-of-a-kind keepsake for our office, created by so many hands who share our love for Missouri.
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A visitor contributes to ExploreCCMO's
paint-by-number canvas
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Booth visitors finished the
canvas throughout the day
| | ExploreCCMO's booth received great interest from visitors and fellow exhibitors | | |
Explore Christian County billboards active in 7 locations
If you're on the road in locally in Nixa or Ozark, or throughout the region in Springfield, Republic, Lebanon, Joplin, or SE Kansas, you may just spot ExploreCCMO on a billboard!
We want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our friends at Lamar Advertising for helping us spread the word about Explore Christian County to our local and regional markets. Each of these locations is an easy day trip to Christian County.
We invite visitors and residents alike to explore Christian County's attractions, amenities, restaurants, unique retail, outdoor recreation, and hometown events!
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Christian County Employee Health Clinic - We want to extend our congratulations to Christian County on the opening of their new employee health clinic, serving County employees and their families. The clinic is the first office to open in the new Christian County Government Plaza on Hwy 14. Thank you to all of our Christian County Chambers of Commerce (Clever, Nixa, Ozark, and Sparta) for working together to cut the ribbon on this beautiful new facility!
CLICK HERE to view video coverage from KY3
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The Christian County Community Betterment Fund (501c3 tax deductible) supports initiatives that enhance local assets and improve quality of life in Christian County. These funds help facilitate key community improvement projects by contributing to grant match dollars, community amenities, feasibility data, and more.
Donate today to make a lasting impact!
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SCORE of Southwest MO
SCORE of SWMO is a great resource for small businesses, offering one-on-one mentorship and coaching, virtual workshops, templates, and more.
Upcoming topics include (among others):
- Marketing strategy
- Business financial literacy
- Nonprofit fundraising
- Franchise ownership
- Funding - loans, crowdfunding, equity, and more
- Creating realistic financial projections
Check out SCORE events and training - CLICK HERE
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Small Business Development Center + efactory at Missouri State University
MSU SBDC, in partnership with the efactory, assists local businesses and entrepreneurs with training and technical assistance in business planning, market research, talent development, scaling your business, financial projections, and more.
NEW at MSU SBDC: Business consultants are now offering facilitated trainings for your business or organization within the frameworks of Great Game of Business (product track or services track) and LEGO Serious Play.
Learn more about MSU SBDC - CLICK HERE
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