MRED 'Buy Nearby' campaign begins rolling out

Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council logo, California, Mo.
Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council logo, California, Mo.

The Moniteau County Regional Economic Development board met last Wednesday in Tipton, with MRED president Mike Kelley detailing the continuing progress of the county's "buy nearby" campaign.

Advertisements are beginning to roll out for the EDA grant-funded campaign promoting patronizing county businesses; students in Jamestown and Tipton's marketing and business classes helped to develop the verbiage and imagery in ads that will soon run in print publications around the Mid-Missouri area. A television commercial is already in circulation and will continue to run on Co-Mo Connect, Kelley said.

Kelley said he planned to reach out to the California Democrat and Tipton Times to inquire about upcoming ad space, along with a tentative list of publications in Jefferson City, Boonville, Fulton, Sedalia and Versailles.

Other business at MRED's meeting last week included updates regarding other previously discussed goings-on in county economic development. Co-Mo Connect's virtual industrial park continues "going strong," Kelley said; the company has hired on a full-time economic developer.

Across the county, the Missouri One Start Program benefits Burgers' Smokehouse as it helps the company to market available jobs and assist with employee training, Kelley said. He has previously highlighted the program to MRED meeting attendees this year.

The group also discussed the development of a county-wide career and resource fair, spearheaded by Central Missouri Community Action. Another idea that's previously been discussed during MRED meetings this year, the fair would bring colleges, businesses and other community organizations into one location for students and citizens throughout the county to network with and learn more about. Tentatively, the event is being targeted for September or October of this year at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds.

Finally, Kelley said he continues to seek nominations for MRED board officers; the organization still needs a vice chairman, secretary and treasurer, all to be approved at the annual meeting when it takes place.

MRED's next regular monthly meeting is set for June 9 in California.