ROLLA, Mo., October 2, 2017 – Business owners and entrepreneurs are encouraged to complete a business needs survey from the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
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“This is an opportunity for businesses to let us know what they need when it comes to growing or improving their business,” says Karen Leatherman, business development specialist with the SBTDC. “We’re really hoping to get some great participation and input from our area businesses. Their feedback is vital to helping us provide the right seminars and resources to help our area businesses succeed.”

The anonymous survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and is available online at tinyurl.com/MObizsurvey. Deadline to complete the survey is Nov. 1, 2017.

The survey is being conducted in a nine-county area served by Missouri S&T’s SBTDC. Counties covered in the survey area include Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Maries, Miller, Osage, Phelps and Pulaski.

Missouri S&T’s SBTDC provides business counseling and assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses in the areas of management, new business creation, business acquisition, business sales, marketing, financial analysis, human resources, operations management, succession planning and technology commercialization. Most services are provided at no cost. It is a University of Missouri Extension partner and part of the Missouri SBTDC statewide network, which is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. For more information about workshops, resources and programs offered by Missouri S&T’s SBTDC, visit ecodevo.mst.edu/info/sbtdc/.

Together, the School District of Washington, Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, and Washington Economic Development department have been working on strategies to enhance a vital component of the area's business success - the workforce!

Next week, you have the opportunity to interact with and recruit the future workforce of Franklin County!
 
The School District of Washington has been working hard to bridge the gap between education and industry. Programs have been designed to train the workforce and keep them in our community.  A few examples are:

• Implementation of new relevant programs at WHS and Four Rivers Career Center
• Career exploratory curriculum at the middle school and elementary levels
• For the third year, our educators are touring businesses and industries to better relate lessons/curriculum to community needs through our Pathways for Teachers

 
Please attend our Open House to see how the new Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) Global Business program is teaming with the existing Four Rivers Career Center and Project Lead The Way (PLTW)  programs to meet the economic needs of our community.

A ribbon cutting was held recently for ReBoot Computers and More.  Learn more about them at their website, rebootcomputersandmore.com. 

Nearly 200 people enjoyed the networking, awards presentation, and food at the 5th Annual Member Luncheon on Monday, September 25th at the Knights of Columbus Hall.  After a delicious lunch from Sugarfire Smoke House, members of the Outstanding Young Professionals Class of 2017 were presented with certificates.  Members attending the luncheon also received the first copies of The Missourian's special insert featuring the OYP class.  Thanks to everyone who attended the event!

Special appreciation to our sponsors:  Missourian Media Group, Bank of Franklin County, Bank of Washington, Citizens Bank, Eric Park & George Meyer with LPL Financial, First State Community Bank, KFAV 99.9 FM, 
Rent-A-Center, US Bank, and USA Mortgage

We are excited to announce the selection of twelve local employees to receive Outstanding Young Professional awards.  Members of the OYP Class of 2017 were  chosen based on their contributions to the Washington-area, both in business and volunteer service.  We had a number of excellent candidates nominated for the award, and it is clear the future is bright for the greater Washington area.  Thank you to everyone who took time to make a nomination!  

The OYP Class of 2017 includes:

• Jon Ballmann - Ballmann Earthworks
• Stephanie Boland - NOA Medical Industries
• Chris Eckelkamp - Bank of Washington
• Bill Hellebusch - Mercy Hospital Washington
• Robert Jasper - St. Francis Borgia Regional High School
• Gregg Jones - Missourian
• Apryl Logan - WSFP / National Fire Suppression
• Elizabeth Mades - School District of Washington
• Sal Maniaci - City of Washington
• Matthew Riechers - Riechers Tire & Auto
• Kelsey Scheer - School District of Washington
• Savannah Wigger - Dreamtime Princess Events

Award winners will be recognized at the Member Luncheon on Monday, September 25.  The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (upper level) in Washington.  Cost is $12/person.  Please RSVP to Cheryl at the Chamber Office (636-239-2715 x102) by Friday, September 15.  View a printable invitation.

A special supplement, featuring the 2017 recipients and the businesses they represent, will be published in the September 27th edition of The Missourian.

The OYP awards were established in 2013 by the Chamber and the Missourian Publishing Company to recognize the up-and-coming generation of Washingtonians.  Including the Class of 2017, we have honored 60 Outstanding Young Professionals.  Members of past classes are listed on our Award Winners page.  Nomination forms, along with requirements and nomination procedures are available for the 2018 Outstanding Young Professional awards.

Compassus, formerly Optum Hospice & Palliative Care, recently held a Ribbon Cutting and Open house for their newly renovated and expanded office space.  The Washington office coordinates care for client in Pike, Lincoln, Motgomery, Warren, St. Charles, St. Louis, Gasconade, Jefferson, Crawford, Washington, and Franklin counties.

Together, the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and Washington Missourian are recognizing the up-and-coming generation of area leaders. Following are the rules for the “Outstanding Young Professional Awards.” Awards will be presented at a Chamber luncheon on Sept. 25, 2017.

ELIGIBILITY
Nominees shall be an employee of a company or organization which holds a membership with the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce. Nominees must be 40 years or under as of January 1, 2017.

PROCEDURE

• Nominations are due at the Chamber Office by August 25, 2017.
• Nominations shall consist of the Official Nomination Form, including the following three questions
  • How has the nominee gone above and beyond the call of duty for his or her employment position?
  • What sets the nominee apart from other young professionals?
  • What participation, involvement, or leadership roles has the nominee held in their community?
• The persons selected to receive awards will be notified to ensure attendance at the Chamber Luncheon.

JUDGING
Judging will be done by a committee of five: three from the Membership PR committee of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and two from the Washington Missourian. The committee reserves the right to determine additional persons for consideration.

A Ribbon Cutting was held in June for the new conference space at Ming Senior Services in Union.