WEEKLY UPDATE FROM THE GREATER CLINTON-AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/BY DAVID LEE-DIRECTOR: 1/13/23

Can you feel it? No, I’m not talking about spring…although the weather has been nice lately. I’m talking about the Greater Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet!  It may not be “Annual” because we did not have a banquet in 2021 and 2022 due to Covid-19, but we are ready to get our groove on coming up Thursday, January 19th.  A band, piano player, food, short speeches, awards and more.  Call 660-885-8166 or stop by the Chamber at 200 South Main and purchase your $20 tickets. Let us know soon if you are coming.  1/19/23 6pm Benson Center Clinton, MO, USA

Welcome New Chamber Member:  Truman Lake Insurance 105 E. Franklin St.,  Clinton  Call Amber at 660-351-3467 or Dillon at 660-492-9369  amcclure@trumanlakeins.com or dshriner@trumanlakeins.com  Truman Lake Insurance covers all your insurance needs, Auto, Home, Commercial, Farm, Life and Aflac.

Welcome New Chamber Member:  Kustom Kat Contractors, LLC  316 NW 61 Rd.,  Clinton  660-885-1433  Kustom Kat, LLC is family owned and operated in Clinton, MO and founded in 1997 by Darren W. Palmer. They have been providing outstanding quality renovations and Custom Builds for over 26 years in Clinton/Truman Lake area.

Welcome New Chamber Member:  Dalmatia BnB, LLC    Dalmatia BnB is a home away from home dog boarding and Dalmatian breeding company. We are USDA licensed. We are conveniently located on Ohio Street. Your dog will free roam the house and fenced in shaded back yard. The dogs enjoy playing with each other and making new friends. 11% of profits go to Clinton Animal Shelter. Our Dalmatian puppies are from CHIC certified parents, AKC registered, and hearing and vision tested. 309 E Ohio  Clinton  660-890-5766  www.dalmatiaBnB.org

I would like to thank Rotarian and Clinton Mayor Carla Moberly for the invitation to attend the weekly Rotary Club meeting on Thursday. Guest speakers were Dan Israel, Executive Producer and Co-Host on the KC Chiefs Radio Network and Eric Townsend, who is a Producer on the Network, and lives in Clinton. The turnout was huge. The beginning of the year would be a great time to join Rotary! Lunch was catered by Powell Meats.  There are several other great clubs and organizations in Clinton as well.  If you’d like more information, call us at 660-885-8166.

This week, I attended the first meeting of the year for Clinton Main Street’s Board of Directors.  Working for you on this Board includes President Mary Cupp, Barry Glasscock, Allen Huff, Diane Hannah, Cindy Wirsig, Mark Meyers, Mark Dawson, Stacy Hinkle and Andrea Schmidt.  I attend each month representing the Chamber.  If you didn’t know, Amanda Johnson is the new, full-time Director at Clinton Main Street. You can go to the Chamber’s Facebook page and watch to find out more about her, her job, what’s coming up at CMS and more.  www.facebook.com/ClintonMO

The first-ever disc golf tournament sponsored by the Clinton Tourism Association will take place June 24th at the 18-hole course in Artesian Park. Details on the 1st Annual Olde Glory Days Open, to Open Olde Glory Days will be coming up soon.

The Missouri TAP for Telephone program is designed to provide a full range of adaptive equipment to meet the needs of individuals with all types of disabilities. TAP provides adaptive equipment and technology includes voice carry over phones, phones for hearing carry over, signaling devices, amplified phones, and hands-free phones. WILS TAP is a certified demonstration site and has certified TAP agents who will demonstrate the phones for your specific needs and ensure the TAP phone will meet your communication goal.  Learn more at: https://w-ils.org/…/telecommunications-access-program-tap/

Missouri State Parks  We are very excited to have the Katy Trail nominated yet again for USA TODAY 10Best recreation trail in the nation, but we need your help! Last year we came so close!  Visit https://www.10best.com/…/best…/katy-trail-missouri/ to cast your vote! Limit one (1) vote per person, per category, per day. Voting ends Feb. 6.  The Katy Trail is the longest developed rail-trail in the country. It attracts people of all ages and interests. Whether you are a bicyclist, walker, equestrian, nature lover or history buff, the trail offers opportunities for recreation, a place to enjoy nature and an avenue to discover the past. Let’s make the Katy Trail #1! 

The Clinton Tourism Committee bought a full-page ad in the 2023 Official RV & Camping Guide for Missouri. These guides are now at the Chamber or go to www.campinmissouri.com. Look for us on page 38!

Looking for a way to boost your business during the winter months? Amazon has launched a new opportunity in Clinton called the Amazon Delivery Partner Program and is looking to partner with local businesses within the community. This program empowers local business owners to launch a package delivery side hustle within their existing business. No contracts, upfront investment, or delivery experience required!  Todd Ghys, Field Acquisition Manager with Amazon, will be in Clinton on Wed., Jan. 25th, hosting office hours from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Chamber office. If you’re interested in becoming a partner or simply want to learn more about the program, stop by the Chamber at 200 S. Main St. between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to speak with Todd about how this program can benefit your business. No appointment necessary.  Can’t attend the event? No problem! Representatives will be available to visit your business that day to make sure you don’t miss out on this great opportunity to drive incremental revenue. Email toddghys@amazon.com for more information or to schedule a time to talk!

From Clinton Park and Rec:  We still have 2 wall booths for the Snowflake Garage Sale on Jan 28th available. The booth comes with 2 – 8′ rectangle tables and 2 chairs and pipe for hanging items such as clothing or quilts. Register today at ClintonParksRecOnline.com

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF HENRY COUNTY PRESENTS:  Clinton Historic Half Marathon & 5k All proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Henry County. HISTORIC LANDMARKS  Anheuser-Busch Building, Artesian Park, and the Historic Downtown Clinton Square.​​ All runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt. FINISHER’S MEDAL  A keepsake to remind you of your accomplishment and contribution. Cash prizes, age awards, and other swag will be given away. TWO RACES  Half marathon and 5K. ANNOUNCEMENTS!!  NEW DATE: June 17, 2023 With warmer temps, we will start earlier at 7:00 am and allow 4 hours to finish. 5k will start at 7:30 am. NEW THEME: Clinton Cardinals  Our theme this year will focus on our local high school and the cardinal logos used over the years. We will have 2 different medals for the half and the 5k for the first time, each having a different cardinal logo. Our t-shirt will include all logos used in the past. In the attached picture, you will find this year’s half marathon medal. 5k and t-shirt logos to be revealed later.

“Recycling Initiative Grant Applications” are now available through the Quad-Lakes Solid Waste Management District (QLSWMD). These grants are to assist with start-up and/or education. Local governments, businesses, industries, schools, and/or individuals, within the QLSWMD six-county area, are invited to submit an application for these funds. The Counties included in the QLSWMD are Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, and St. Clair. Approximately $50,00.00 is available for the FY 2024 grant cycle. The application may be obtained online at www.kaysinger.com, under “Projects and Programs- Quad-Lakes Solid Waste Management District”. For more information, contact Teresa Heckenlively at theckenlively@kaysinger.com or (660) 885-3393. One original and three copies must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 9, 2023 by the KBRPC office.