WEEKLY UPDATE FROM THE GREATER CLINTON-AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/BY DAVID LEE-DIRECTOR: 1/20/23

The 82nd Annual Clinton Chamber Banquet was Thursday night at the Benson Center.  We had a great turnout with great food from Powell Meats.  Thanks to Tim Glasscock for being Master of Ceremonies, the CHS Band and David Cummings for the entertainment, the CHS JROTC for the presentation of colors, Johnny Crawford for singing the National Anthem and Pastor Monty Stratton for the invocation.  Our speakers included Mayor Carla Moberly and Economic Development Director Mark Dawson.  Past-President Daniel Dody talked about last year’s accomplishments and 2023 President Adam Cummings spoke on “Ensuring a Brighter Future”.  The CHS Band was our Citizens of the Year winner…our Volunteer of the Year was Bill Thole…Ambassador of the Year was Amber Hansen…and the Business of the Year for 2022 was Cindy Wirsig with C Squared.  If you would like to get involved with YOUR Chamber of Commerce, stop by 200 South Main or call 660-885-8166. Also a big thanks to TLC Florals and More for the centerpieces. I may be missing some other “Thank you”, but EVERYONE that contributed did a GREAT JOB!!   

Welcome New Chamber Member:  K&A Rental Properties LLC  1532 NW 300 Rd, Urich, MO 64788  417-234-0977 K&A Rentals offers apartment rentals and billboard rentals.

The Holidays have come and gone once again, and the Chamber Banquet is done for another year.  Now that we’ve opened the presents, brought in the New Year and celebrated Clinton at our Banquet, the next thing to think about it is…Olde Glory Days 2023! This year, Olde Glory Days is celebrating its 30th birthday.  As part of that celebration, the OGD Committee and the Chamber Ambassadors Committee is selling new banners that will be displayed around the Downtown Square and on Second and Ohio streets from May through the 4th of July. The banners we have used for 10+ years are torn and falling apart so we will not use them again. Look for this banner campaign to kick off on Feb. 1st.

From Bright Futures Clinton:  KEEP THEM COMING  Since 2014, Bright Futures Clinton has been making a difference in the lives of Clinton School District students.  We have been able to meet HUNDREDS of needs through the Bright Futures Clinton Facebook page. We are currently up to 1,500+ likes, but would love to have even more. The more likes and followers we have, the more needs we can meet!  If you haven’t, please head over to the Bright Futures Clinton page and do the following:

⭐Like our page

⭐Share our page to your page

⭐Follow our page by clicking the three buttons in the top right corner of the page

From Clinton Christian Academy:  Bid Early, Bid Often to support Christian Education…

https://www.clintonacademy.org/auction

Heartland Community Theatre is pleased to announce the return of our 4th Sunday monthly movie matinee, the first for 2023. Please come join us this Sunday, January 22nd, 2023, starting at 2:00 p.m., for our latest edition, which is a “Safari Sunday” event!  Our feature presentation is “King Solomon’s Mines” (1937), closely adapted from H. Rider Haggard’s novel of the same name. Allan Quartermain leads a party, including a young woman, across unexplored regions of Africa, searching for her fortune hunting father, who went missing while attempting to locate the fabled diamond mines of King Solomon. This version from 1937 was believed to be lost for years, until it was located in the Pinewood movie vaults. Some of the film’s exterior scenes were shot on location in South Africa, prior to World War II.  Admission is always FREE for this monthly event, along with gourmet popcorn and beverages.  Heartland Community Theatre, 108 North Washington, Clinton.

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! 

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!

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.