GNW Day 2017 drew more than 300 residents from 19 northwest Missouri counties to Jefferson City to showcase our region on January 31 and February 1. This year’s priorities focused on creation of a rural policy office; investment in infrastructure to include broadband, transportation, water and wastewater; and investment in education, including both PreK-12 and higher education.
AC attendees visited Senator Dan Hegeman and Representative Allen Andrews at the Capitol and joined with the GNW delegation for an introduction on the House floor. Sheriff Dennis Martin lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem at the kick-off luncheon. Monica Bailey, ACDC Director and GNW Day Steering Committee member, coordinated the afternoon roundtable session, which included overviews of the GNW Day priority selection process, Certified Work Ready Communities, and Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri’s Communities of Excellence 2026 initiative.
The evening Mardi Gras event, designed to educate attendees about northwest Missouri, hosted 10 Senators, 90 Representatives, and more than 100 staffers and state office staff from over 25 departments.
AC’s theme for the event was Measuring the Ways #ACisAwesome, highlighting various County pride points. A great display (thanks WC Farmer!) and a highly interactive game (thanks Ginny and Jack Vernon!) brought attendees to the booth, where AC representatives were able to educate legislators from around the state on what comprises our county (and in several instances, where we are located!) and distributed mini measuring tapes touting ACDC’s website (www.atchisoncounty.org).
AC attendees included Carol Clark, Ginny Vernon, Jim and Regina Quimby, Crystal Woodring, Dennis and Phyllis Martin and several members of Atchison Holt Electric Cooperative, who attended this event in conjunction with the Missouri Electric Cooperative Legislative Conference.