The Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council discussed the upcoming Startup Moniteau information sessions, among other topics, at its September meeting.
Startup Moniteau, a series of four information sessions for individuals interested in learning how to successfully start a business in the Moniteau County area, will host its first of four information sessions on Sept. 19 at Grind.
The remaining three information sessions will take place once per month for the rest of the year - on Oct. 17, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
In addition to Startup Moniteau's launch, Central Missouri Business Leaders meetings will begin even sooner, starting today. Meetings will take place on the third Wednesday of each month from 8:30-10 a.m. at Grind.
The first half-hour of each meeting will consist of networking, followed by a presenter. The first presenter will come from Burgers' Smokehouse. Central Missouri Business Leaders meetings are open to anyone in central Missouri.
MRED again discussed applying for the USDA's Rural Business Development Grant to assist with paying for a coworking office space in California. The grant's application period opens after Jan. 1.
MRED also discussed shifting its newsletter toward an email marketing program through a company such as Constant Contact. MRED President Mike Kelley said using such a service to set up advertisements or newsletter templates would allow MRED to automate information more efficiently and hopefully reach more potential new members. Kelley said as a whole, sending something like four email marketing newsletters per year could help MRED to reach a larger audience.
MRED also discussed a potential speaker for its annual meeting in April - Rob O'Brien, former Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce president.
MRED's next montly meeting will take place at noon Oct. 9.