2009 Event | 2008 Event | 2007 Event | 2006 Event | 2005 Event | 2004 Event | 2003 Event | 2002 Event

2009 Event

Monday, February 2nd - Pre-Event Dinner with Legislators (Issues Committee)
Tuesday, February 3rd - Main Event - Mardi Gras Theme
Wednesday, February 4th - Breakfast

2009 Itinerary... click here to print

Tuesday, February 3rd

• 8:30 a.m. Volunteers to distribute desk top reminders
  Alcove on the House side of the 3rd Floor Rotunda
• 9:45 a.m. Great Northwest Delegation meets
  State Capitol Third Floor, Southside of Rotunda, Near Staircase
• 10:00 a.m. Divide into two groups for Introduction of Delegation in the Senate and the House
• 11:30 a.m. Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  Speakers:
  --Cathy Poindexter, Director of 9-1-1 Communications, City of Cameron
  --Vince Capell, City Manager, St. Joseph
  --Tye Parsons, Exec Director, NW Regional Council of Governments
  --D.J. Gehrt, City Manager, Plattsburg
• 1:00 p.m. GNW Picture, Capital Plaza Atrium
• 1:15 p.m. Afternoon open for communities to schedule their own visits with Legislators and/or Departments.
• 3:30 p.m. Community Booth Set Up
  Capitol Plaza Ballroom (No one will be allowed in room until 3:30)
• 2:30 p.m. Cole County Historical Society Museum, Madison Street (across from Executive Mansion) $3 adults (cash or check only) - Meet in the Capitol Plaza Hotel Lobby at 2:15pm to walk to the museum as a group.
• 3:30 p.m. Missouri State Capitol Tour
  State Capitol, First Floor Information Center
• 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  --Mardi Gras style food, music, fun, and entertainment (No one under 21 will be allowed)
  --Community Booths
  --Dinner Buffet
  --Music by Blue Orleans

Wednesday, February 4th

• 7:30-8:30 am Regional Breakfast / 8:00 a.m. – Legislative Briefing 
  Capitol Plaza Ballroom

All regional Delegates are invited to breakfast.

Participating Corporate Sponsors of the 2009 GNW Day Event:
American Water - Missouri, Bartlett & West, Citizens Bank & Trust, Heartland Health, KCPL,
Missouri Western - Institute of Industrial and Applied Life Science, MoKan,
Olsson Associates, Snyder & Associates, Touchstone Energy

The Co-Chairs for 2009 are Ann Schlueter (Rock Port) and Becky Cleveland (Brookfield).

2009 SPONSORING COMMUNITIES/COUNTIES

• Andrew County
• Atchison County
• Bethany
• Brookfield
• Caldwell County
• Cameron
• Clinton County
• Chillicothe/Livingston County
• DeKalb County
• Gentry County
• Grant City/Worth County
• Holt County
• Marceline
• Maryville/Nodaway County
• St. Joseph/Buchanan County
• City of Savannah
• Sullivan County
• Trenton/Grundy County

2009 CORPORATE SPONSORS

• Citizens Bank & Trust
• Heartland Health
• KCPL
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
• Mo-Kan
• Snyder & Associates
• Bartlett & West
• Olsson Associates
• American Water - Missouri
• Missouri Western- Institute of Industrial and Applied Life Science

2009 COMMITTEES

• Issues Committee - Sean Burge - Chair, Shellby Hendee, Becky Cleveland, Charity Austin, Jack Briggs, Mark Garges, Bev Maltsberger, Carol Mathes, Cyndra Lorey, Paul Hamby, Rebecca Evans
• Event Committee - Natalie Leonard-Redmond - Chair, BJ Gray, Alice McKee, Tye Parsons, Amy Ryan, Eileen Irvine, Annette Weeks
• Marketing & Public Relations Committee - Lisa Luke - Chair, Janice Hatcher, Lisa Macali, Kathy Morgan, Jackie Spainhower, Gary Stiens, Frank Veeman
• Corporate Sponsorship Committee - Tom Bliss, Steve Schieber

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2008 Event

Comments from Participants & Legislators
Download our 2008 PowerPoint
(MS PowerPoint required to view once downloaded.)

Monday, February 4th - Pre-Event Dinner with Legislators
Tuesday, February 5th - Main Event - Mardi Gras Theme
Wednesday, February 6th - Breakfast

The Co-Chairs for 2008 are Mark Garges (Cameron) and Ann Schlueter (Rock Port).

2008 Itinerary...

Tuesday, February 5th:

• 8:00 am Steering Committee delivers Desktop Reminders
• 9:45 am Community Delegation meets, State Capitol Third Floor, Southside of Rotunda, Near Staircase
• 10:00 am Introduction of Delegation in the Senate
• 10:45 am Introduction of Delegation in the House
• 11:30 am Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
• 2:00 pm Community Visits with Legislators or Optional Tours
• 3:30 pm Community Booth Set-up, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
• 5-8:00 pm Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  (Note: This is an adult event - No one under 21 will be allowed.)
  --Mardi Gras style, food, music, fun and entertainment
  --Community Booths
  --Music by Blue Orleans
  --Dinner Buffet

Wednesday, February 6th: 

7:30-8:30 am Regional Breakfast/Legislative Briefing at 8:00 am, Capitol Plaza
All regional Delegates are invited to breakfast.

Participating Corporate Sponsors of the GNW Day Event:
Aquila, Citizens Bank & Trust, Heartland Health, MoKan,
Premium Standard Farms, Snyder & Associates, Touchstone Energy

2008 Sponsoring Communities/Counties

Albany/Gentry County
Atchison County
Bethany
Brookfield
Caldwell County
Cameron
Chillicothe/Livingston County
DeKalb County
Grant City/Worth County
Holt County
Marceline
Maryville/Nodaway County
Mercer County
St. Joseph/Buchanan County
Savannah/Andrew County
Sullivan County
Trenton/Grundy County

2008 Corporate Sponsors

• Aquila
• Citizens Bank & Trust
• Heartland Health
• Mo-Kan
• Premium Standard Farms
• Snyder & Associates
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

2008 Committees

• Issues Committee - Shellby Hendee - Chair; Charity Austin, Jack Briggs, Sean Burge, Becky Cleveland, Mark Garges, Dan Hegeman, Carol Mathes, Ann Schlueter, Kathy Morgan, Ginger Harlow, Gordon Becton, Bev Maltsberger, Rebecca Evans
• Event Committee - Natalie Leonard-Redmond - Chair and Amy Ryan - Co-Chair; Alice McKee, Tye Parsons, Jackie Spainhower, Jackie Soptic, Chris May
• Marketing & Public Relations Committee - Lisa Luke - Chair; Kevin Austin, Janice Hatcher, Eileen Irvine, Lee Langerock, Lisa Macali, Gary Stiens
• Corporate Sponsorship Committee - Deb Powers - Chair; Tom Bliss, Steve Schieber

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2007 Event

Comments from Participants & Legislators

Monday, February 5th - Pre-Event Dinner with Legislators
Tuesday, February 6th - Main Event - Mardi Gras Theme
Wednesday, February 7th - Breakfast

The Chair for 2007 was Cyndra Lorey and the Co-Chair was Mark Garges.

2007 Itinerary...

Tuesday, February 6th:

• 8:00 am Steering Committee deliver Desktop Reminders
• 9:45 am Community Delegation meet, State Capitol Third Floor, Southside of Rotunda, Near Staircase
• 10:00 am Introduction of Delegation in the House
• 10:45 am Introduction of Delegation in the Senate
• 11:30 am Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  --Emcee: Mark Garges, Co-Chair, GNW Steering Committee
  --Moderator: Ray McCarty, Legislative Liaison, Ray McCarty Governmental Relations, Inc.
  --Panel: Greg Steinhoff, Director, Missouri Department of Economic Development; Dr. Neil Nuttall, President, North Central Missouri College, Trenton; Karl Fett, Kansas City Regional Office, Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Michael Grote, Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• 2:00 pm Community Visits with Legislators or Optional Tour
• 3:30 pm, State Capitol, First Floor Information Center
• 3:00 pm Community Booth Set-up, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
• 5-8:00 pm Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  (Note: This is an adult event - No one under 21 will be allowed.)
  -- Mardi Gras style, food, music, fun and entertainment 
  -- Community Booths
  -- Missourah Mudbugs
  -- Dinner Buffet

Wednesday, February 7th:

7:30-8:30 am Legislative Briefing/Regional Breakfast, Capitol Plaza
All regional Delegates are invited to breakfast.

2007 Sponsoring Communities/Counties

Albany   Andrew County   Atchison County   Bethany   Brookfield   Buchanan County   Caldwell County
Cameron   Chillicothe/Livingston County   DeKalb County/Maysville   Grant City/Worth County   Holt County
Marceline   Maryville/Nodaway County   Mercer County   St. Joseph   Savannah   Sullivan County
Trenton/Grundy County

2007 Corporate Sponsors

• Aquila
• Citizens Bank & Trust
• Mo-Kan
• Premium Standard Farms
• Snyder & Associates
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

2007 Committees

• Issues Committee - Shellby Hendee - Chair; Charity Austin, Jack Briggs, Sean Burge, Mark Garges, Dan Hegeman, Carol Mathes, Ann Schlueter, Allison Strong, Kathy Kunkel, Kathy Morgan
• Event Committee - Natalie Leonard-Redmond - Chair; Alice McKee, Tye Parsons, Debbie Pore, Amy Ryan, Jackie Wilson
• Marketing & Public Relations Committee - Lisa Luke - Chair; Deanna Greiner, Janice Hatcher, Eileen Irvine, Lee Langerock, Lisa Macali, Gary Stiens, Sherry Williams
• Corporate Sponsorship Committee - Deb Powers - Chair; Tom Bliss, Steve Schieber

2007 County Coordinators

Event Timeline (County Coordinator Timeline & Important Dates)

• 10/16/06 - County Coordinator packet distribution via email

• 10/17/06 - GNW Steering Committee Meeting - 10 a.m. - Heartland Foundation in St. Joseph

• 10/30/06 - County Coordinators deadline for introduction letter to councils, commissions, chambers, etc.

• 11/06/06 - First news release - PR committee will email County Coordinators to be forwarded to local media

• 11/09/06 - Issues form due from each community/county

• 11/14/06 - GNW Steering Committee meeting - 10 a.m. - Heartland Foundation

• 11/29/06 - Healthy Communities Summit - Regional Legislative Issues Forum - 1:00-4:00 p.m., Civic Arena

• 12/13/06 - Issues Release - PR committee will email release to County Coordinators to be forwarded to local media

• 12/20/06 - GNW Steering Committee meeting - 10 a.m. - 12:00, St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce

• 12/22/06 - Community sponsorship registration/pledge forms and event sponsorships due

• 01/10/07 - Program template with community sponsors will be emailed to county coordinators for review

• 01/15/07 - News Release - PR committee will email release to County Coordinators to be forwarded to local media

• 01/23/07 - GNW Steering Committee meeting - 10 a.m., St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce 

• 01/26/07 - Absolute deadline for event participant registrations

• 01/26/07 - Payment from communities due: Make checks payable to Heartland Foundation, note on check - Great Northwest Day^SM at the Capitol; send to Heartland Foundation, 3620 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506

• 02/06/07 - Great NW Day at the Capitol! (Note: The evening event is an adult event - no one under 21 allowed)

• 02/07/07 - Breakfast at the Capitol Plaza from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
  8 a.m. - Briefing about Legislative dinner that was held on Monday evening, February 5, and any other thoughts the group would like to share. This briefing will take place in the same room as breakfast.

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2006 Itinerary...

• 9:45 am Great Northwest group meets at State Capitol (3rd Floor, south side of Rotunda, near staircase)

• 10:00 am Introduction of group to the House

• 10:45 am Introduction of group to the Senate

• 11:30 am Legislative Luncheon at the Capitol Plaza

• 2:30 pm Optional tour: Governor's Mansion, 100 Madison Street

• 3:30 pm Optional tour: State Capitol, First Floor Information Center

• 3:00 pm Community Booth Set Up at Capitol Plaza Ballroom

• 5:00 - 8:00 pm Evening Legislative Event: Capitol Plaza Ballroom

• Music by Missourah Mudbugs

2006 Corporate Sponsors

• Aquila

• Citizens Bank & Trust

• Mo-Kan

• Premium Standard Farms

• Snyder & Associates

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

2006 County Coordinators

Event Timeline

• 10/21/05 - Community packets mailed to County Coordinators

• 11/04/05 - County Coordinators deadline for packet distribution to councils, commissions, chambers, etc.

• 11/21/05 - Great Northwest Planning Meeting - 10:00 a.m., St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce

• 11/21/05 - First reminder - Community Sponsorship registration form needed from County Coordinators

• 12/05/05 - Second reminder - Community Sponsorship registration form needed from County Coordinators

• 12/12/05 - Great Northwest Planning Meeting - 10:00 a.m., St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce

• 12/12/05 - Final reminder - Community Sponsorship registration form needed from County Coordinators

• 12/16/05 - Sponsorship Registration/Pledge Form and Event Sponsorships due

• 12/30/05 - Program template with community sponsors listed will be e-mailed to County Coordinators

• 01/20/06 - Payment from communities due to:
  Leadership Northwest Missouri, 3620 Frederick, St. Joseph, MO 64506

• 01/20/06 - Absolute deadline for registrations and payment (can't accept credit cards)

• 01/31/06 - Great Northwest Day at the Capitol

• 02/01/06 - Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Breakfast

Legislative Issues 2006

ALTERNATIVE FUELS:
Promote alternative fuel by legislation to mandate use of ethanol and bio-diesel in the State’s vehicles – including MoDOT.

INCENTIVES:
Allow green fields for potential development utilizing TIF finance in rural areas as "blight" is redefined. (Local incentive, local control)

Support Missouri Quality Jobs initiative as a true positive economic development tool to both rural and urban areas.

Business Retention:

• Provide funding necessary for retention focus.
• Explore an incentive program that would recognize and encourage increased investment by a company rather than basing all incentives on new jobs created.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

• Encourage development of program for On-the-job Training as OJT offers employers the flexibility to provide employee skills development in the format best suited for that particular workforce challenge.
• Increase amount of money in state fund for workforce development because program cap is quickly reached.
• Set aside Training dollars for rural areas.
• Approve increased funding for higher education to help Missouri present an educated and trained workforce.

WATER/WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT:
Allocate more money for water and wastewater infrastructure grants and loans.

Great Northwest Day^SM at the Capitol was held on February 1, 2005. Thirty rooms were reserved in our block for Monday night and 55 rooms reserved for Tuesday night. Participants each year call the Capitol Plaza (host hotel) for their own rooms. The rate this year was $89 per night. Lunch was in the ballroom this year. The band was the Missourah Mud Bugs!

2005 Itinerary...

• 9:45 am Great Northwest group meets at State Capitol (3rd Floor, south side of Rotunda, near staircase)
• 10:00 am Introduction of group to the House
• 10:45 am Introduction of group to the Senate
• 11:30 am Legislative Luncheon at Capitol Plaza
  Sponsored by: Touchstone Energy
  Luncheon Speakers: Director Pete Rahn - MoDOT
  David Seamon - DED, Stacey Hirst - DED
• 1:45 pm Delivery of Great Northwest Goody Bags at Capitol
• 2:30 pm Optional tour: Governor's Mansion, 100 Madison Street
• 3:30 pm Optional tour: State Capitol, First Floor Information Center
• 3:30 pm Community Booth Set Up at Capitol Plaza Ballroom
• 5:30 - 8:00 pm Evening Legislative Event: Capitol Plaza Ballroom
  Music by Missourah Mudbugs (Sponsored by Citizens Bank & Trust)

The charge for the 2005 event was $35 per person which included lunch, the Great Northwest dinner buffet and celebration event, two drink tickets, live performance by the "Missourah Mudbugs," and breakfast on February 2.

2005 Sponsoring Communities

Albany, Andrew County, Atchison County, Bethany, Brookfield, Buchanan County, Caldwell County, Cameron, Carroll County, Chillicothe, DeKalb County, Grant City, Holt County, Livingston County, Marceline, Maryville, Maysville, Nodaway County, St. Joseph, Savannah, Sullivan County, Trenton, Worth County

2005 Corporate Sponsors

• Citizens Bank & Trust
• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

2005 County Coordinators 

• Worth County - Brenda Parman

• Nodaway Co. - Lisa Luke

• Holt Co. - Wayne Voltmer

• Atchison Co. - Ann Schlueter

• Andrew Co. - Dan Hegeman

• Buchanan Co. - Cyndra Lorey

• Caldwell Co. - Dr. Judy Smith

• Carroll Co. - Christy Isaacs

• Clinton Co. - Shellby Hendee

• DeKalb Co. - Mike Souther

• Gentry Co. - Rebekah Eilers

• Grundy Co. - Terry Wilson

• Harrison Co. - Tony Stonecypher

• Daviess Co. - Mike Souther

• Livingston Co. - Barb Burton

• Linn Co. - Deb Pore

• Sullivan Co. - Chris May

• Mercer Co. - Shane Groom

• Putnam Co. - Phyliss Pickering

Event Timeline

• 11/02/04 - GNW Planning Meeting

• 11/06-07/04 - Community packets mailed

• 11/30/04 - Reminder out for community pledges

• 12/07/04 - Second reminder out for community pledges

• 12/07/04 - Second planning meeting - reports from committees, registrations coming in

• 12/15/04 - Community pledges due

• 12/16/04 - Brochure template with community sponsors list mailed

• 01/14/05 - Payment from communities due

• 01/14/05 - Absolute deadline for registrations and payment (can't accept credit cards)

• 02/01/05 - Great Northwest Legislative Event

• 02/22/05 - Follow Up Meeting

2004 Event
February 18 & 19, 2004

Itinerary | Legislative Issues | Steering Committee | Participating Communities | Sponsors

ITINERARY

Wednesday, February 18

• 11:30 a.m. - Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza-Atrium
  Emcee: Dan Hegeman, Andrew County Clerk, Sponsored by Touchstone Energy

• 12:30 p.m. - Presentations from Governor & Department Heads, Capitol Plaza-Atrium

• 2:00 p.m. - Delivery of Goody Bags, State Capitol
  Meet at Rep. John Quinn's Office - Room 401A

• 3:00 p.m. - Optional Tours
  State Supreme Court Building, 207 W. High Street
  State Capitol, First Floor Information Center

• 5-8:30 p.m. - Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza-Ballroom
  Mardi Gras-style fun, music, food and entertainment
  Community Booths, Dinner Buffet, Big Al & the Heavyweights, Sponsored by Premium Standard Farms and Citizens Bank & Trust

Thursday, February 19

• 7-9 a.m. - Regional Breakfast, Capitol Plaza
  All regional delegates invited to breakfast, Sponsored by Healthy Communities

2004 STEERING COMMITTEE

• Co-Chairman: Barb Burton, Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, Chillicothe

• Co-Chairman: Jeff Ellis, City of Bethany, Bethany

• Jack Briggs, NW Power, Cameron

• Shellby Hendee, City of Cameron, Cameron

• Brenda Parman, Worth County, Grant City

• Bob & Betty Bush, Bush Enterprises, Maryville

• Jim Hunt, Small Business Development Center, Maryville

• Deb Powers, Leadership NW Missouri - Heartland Foundation, St. Joseph

• Becky Cleveland, City of Brookfield, Brookfield

• Christina Isaacs, Carrollton Area Chamber of Commerce, Carrollton

• Dave Ramsey, United Electric Coop, Savannah

• Heidi Downer, St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph

• Lisa Macali, Nodaway County ED, Maryville

• Lurinda Turner, Small Business Development Center, Chillicothe

• Rebekah Eilers, City of Albany, Albany

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES 2004

Community leaders throughout the region developed the following priorities at a Regional Issues Forum held October 16, 2003, in St. Joseph.

1. TELECOMMUNICATION
   Expand rural high-speed internet access
   Eliminate gaps in rural cell phone coverage
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
   Improve workforce development and training
   Increase business attraction, expansion, and retention
   Develop resources for incentives and recruiting tools
3. EDUCATION
   Revise State Foundation Formula
   Strengthen State education system
4. TRANSPORTATION
   Upgrade funding for highways
   Prioritize completion of US 36 to four lanes
   Promote ethanol and bio-diesel production and use
5. HEALTH CARE
   Reduce rising health care costs
   Ensure availability of rural health care services
   Advance funding for rural health care

Our communities and our people recognize that these are complex issues. At some levels, we may disagree on the specific strategies which the State must employ to resolve these issues, but we are all in agreement that solutions to these issues must be found. We understand that these issues have not developed in a single year and that the resolutions to these issues may well take many years. However, it is important that resolutions to these issues be discussed during this legislative session.

Legislator Comments...

• Best regional event of the year.
• I enjoy the event and learn something new every year.
• It conveyed information in an entertaining setting.
• It presented an opportunity for one-on-one interaction in a fun environment.
• It put you on the Map.
• It was different than the typical event - more lively and imaginative.
• The enthusiasm that was displayed by the visitors from the Great Northwest was refreshing.
• The Great Northwest Day^SM has become one of the highlights of the year for me. I have attended this every year for four years and consider this to be the best showcase of any part of Missouri. From the special gift on my desk to the party at the Capitol Plaza, everything was done in a first class manner.
• The obvious spirit and enthusiasm of NWMO citizens does prove that the squeaky wheel will eventually get the grease. Keep working for your area.
• You had a great turnout of people who care about the region and are able to articulate the importance we play to the entire state.
• You present a positive and enthusiastic image of your region and a willingness to work collaboratively, an important key to success anywhere.
• You have set the mark for the southeast corner.

2004 SPONSORING COMMUNITIES

Albany, Andrew County, Atchison County, Bethany, Brookfield, Buchanan County, Caldwell County, Cameron, Carroll County, Chillicothe, Grant City, Holt County, Marceline, Maryville, Maysville, Nodaway County, Princeton, Savannah, St. Joseph, Trenton, and Worth County.

2004 CORPORATE SPONSORS

• Citizens Bank & Trust

• Healthy Communities - Heartland Foundation

• Premium Standard Farms

• Touchstone Energy Cooperatives

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2003 Event
February 12 & 13, 2003

Itinerary | Legislative Issues | Steering Committee | Participating Communities | Sponsors

ITINERARY

Wednesday, February 12

• 11:30 a.m. - Legislative Luncheon, Capitol Plaza
  Sponsored by MidWest Quality Gloves & United Electric Cooperative

• 1:30-2:45 p.m. - Presentations from Department Heads
  Hearing Room 2, State Capitol

• 3:00 p.m. - Tour of Capitol Building
  First Floor Information Center, State Capitol

• 4:30-10:00 p.m. - Great Northwest Celebration, Capitol Plaza
  Mardi Gras-style fun, music, food, and entertainment
  4:30-5:30 - Western Jazz Combo
  4:30-10:00 p.m. - Community Booths
  6:00-10:00 p.m. - Big Al & the Heavyweights, Sponsored by Premium Standard Farms

• 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Dinner Buffet

Thursday, February 13

• 8-10 a.m. - Jazz & Java Breakfast, Capitol Plaza
  Breakfast buffet and in-depth discussion of legislative priorities and issues facing the Great Northwest
  Sponsored by Heartland Health

2003 STEERING COMMITTEE

• Co-Chairman: Lee Langerock, City of Albany, Albany

• Co-Chairman: Terry Rumery, Farmer's Electric Cooperative, Chillicothe

• Tim Asher, North Central Community College, Trenton

• Jack Briggs, NW Electric, Cameron

• Barb Burton, Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, Chillicothe

• Bob Bush, Healthy Communities, Maryville

• Rick Childers, City of Trenton, Trenton, Missouri

• Becky Cleveland, Brookfield Industrial Development Authority, Brookfield

• Randy Cottrell, Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments, Maryville

• Bobbie Cronk, Leadership Northwest Missouri, St. Joseph

• Jeanne Dau, Small Business Development Center, Chillicothe

• Heidi Downer, St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph

• Jeff Ellis, City of Bethany, Bethany

• Gary Frazer, Clifton-Gunderson LLP, St. Joseph

• Clint Gayler, Atchison County Development Corp., Rockport

• Janet Hatcher, City of Savannah, Savannah

• Dan Hegeman, County of Andrew, Cosby

• Jason Helton, Premium Standard Farms, Milan

• Shelby Hendee, City of Cameron, Cameron

• Jim Hunt, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville

• Vern Middleton, Citizens Bank, St. Joseph

• Brenda Parman, Grant City

• Steve Schieber, Heartland Health, St. Joseph

• Kay Wilson, Nodaway News Leader, Maryville

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES 2003

Community leaders from throughout the region developed the following issues at the Issues Forum in Cameron held on September 27, 2003.

Regional Telecommunications

• Improved Regional Cell Phone Access

• Increased Broadband Access

• Expanded Local-Calling Access

• Increased Support for Distance Learning & Telemedicine

Regional Transportation: Transportation Funding

• Complete 4-Lane Highway 36

• Increased Regional Input for Transportation Projects

• Base Highway Funding on Vehicle Miles Traveled

• Develop a Highway Funding Bill that is Passable

Regional Economic Development

• More Tax Credits Transferable and Applied to Small Business

• Authorize All Counties to Pass an Economic Development Tax

• Provide State Production Incentives for Bio-Diesel

• Constitutional Amendment to Allow Cash Incentives

Regional Lifelong Learning

• Increase Funding for Schools Teaching Community Development, Leadership, and Entrepreneurial Training

• Encourage Participation in the A+ Program and Expand Funding for that Program

• Fund Needs-Based Scholarship Programs

• Stop Cutting Budget for Higher Education

• Fund Capital Improvement Projects

• Support Education Consortiums to Allow More Distance Learning in Schools

"The communities of Northwest Missouri put their best foot forward with the Great Northwest Legislative Event in February, 2003. They did a great job of showcasing the area." - Carl Berden, District #16, St. Charles

"It was a great event and one of the best of the year. The Northwest Missouri delegation made a great impression on the Senators and Representatives from throughout the state. I would recommend a repeat effort in 2004. I was very proud of the communities of the Great Northwest." - John Quinn, District #7, Chillicothe

"What a great event to be a part of this past year! It was probably one of the five top events... one of the memorable events in Jefferson City. The scale and quality of the event gave a good deal of credibility to Northwest Missouri. The Mardi Gras theme was a real attention-grabber!" - Jim Whorton, District #13

2003 SPONSORING COMMUNITIES

Albany, Andrew County, Atchison County, Bethany, Brookfield, Buchanan County, Cameron, Chillicothe, Grant City, Maryville, Savannah, St. Joseph, Trenton, Worth County

2003 CORPORATE SPONSORS

In addition to the communities above...

• MidWest Quality Gloves

• United Electric Cooperative

• Premium Standard Farms

• Heartland Health

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Enjoy these four photos from our very first Great Northwest Day^SM event!

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