Hannibal Selected for Governor’s D.R.E.A.M. Initiative

 

Downtown revitalization has always been important to Hannibal.  So, when the Governor’s D.R.E.A.M. Initiative was presented to city leaders, they rolled up their sleeves and competed against 97 other communities…..and won!  What does that mean for downtown Hannibal?  The state of Missouri will work with Hannibal to provide the technical and financial assistance for downtown revitalization projects.  The state will be able to offer incentives, direct access to financial and technical assistance and professionals who are specifically dedicated to helping communities rebuild their business districts.  The state will be hosting seminars and programs to help Hannibal in its downtown revitalization.  Hooray for Hannibal!!!

   Northeast Missouri Economic Development

Northeast Missouri Economic Development has been working since 1962 to promote the well-being and growth of existing businesses as well as the promotion of new industrial and commercial development in the area.  Northeast Missouri has a lot to offer.  Manufacturing is the number one industry producing a variety of products from agricultural chemicals, electrical products and automotive equipment to food processing and rubber and plastic products.  Agriculture, retail and tourism also play an important part in our economic structure. 

 

Our priorities include retaining existing businesses and helping them grow, recruiting and assisting new business, providing support to entrepreneurs, helping site consultants and taking initiative in numerous issues which contribute to Hannibal’s quality of life.  We take business investment seriously and offer professional assistance and cooperation that businesses need and expect.

 

We realize that economic development is crucial for our future expansion.  Unfortunately, when a new city manager was hired in the Fall of 2000, he deleted the line item for economic development from the city’s budget.  This decision left economic development desperately short of funds.  During the past year, our Board of Directors revamped the by-laws, created new membership levels and terms and hired an assistant, Faye Bleigh.  We are dedicated to working with city officials as a team…a team which is devoted to growth and progress for Hannibal.  We hope the city will invest in Northeast Missouri Economic Development once again. 

 

Good things are continuing to happen in Hannibal, and it’s exciting to be a part of them.  In the past six months we’ve partnered with numerous businesses who have invested nearly $50,000 in memberships.  A new industry, Spartan Light Metal Products, has moved into the former Intermet building on Hwy MM.  The Mark Twain Hotel project is under construction and will be completed in 2007.  Our office assisted in efforts with the Governor’s D.R.E.A.M. Initiative.  Continental Cement and Bear Creek Warehouse are expanding, Veteran’s Road is nearing completion and Highway 36 is now under construction to add 52 miles of four-lane highway to Macon.  We were there to give assistance to all of these projects and are presently working with several prospective industries and other projects which will have very positive effects on Hannibal. 

 

Our 2006-2007 Board of Directors include the following members: Randy Park (president), Bill Sharp (vice-president), Hal Benedict (secretary), Jon Obermann (treasurer), Tom Bleigh, Tom Boland, Larry Craig, Michael Ginsberg, John Grossmeier, Dr. Steve Halpin, Jack Herring, Jeff LaGarce, Dan Nelson, Randy Potterfield, Willy Richmond and Ron Verdier.

 

For membership information, contact George Walley at (573) 221-1033 or stop by our office at 201 N. Third Street, Suite 220.