Local food markets keep the 131-year-old Pearl Family Farm going. A new video series on wholesale production features Mike Pearl’s sweet potato crop. Produced by the Beginning Farmer Wholesale Project at West Central Missouri Community Action Agency.
In one year the regional START HERE network has helped 14 new businesses start and launched a range of resources to help rural economies and communities grow. Its “5th Monday” luncheon in Warsaw brought partners together to explore this regional collaboration.
This year on Giving Tuesday November 30, 2021, we invite you to support the New Growth Women’s Business Center. The 15-county WBC is one of only five in the nation that focuses on rural entrepreneurs, men and women.
A major regional workforce study and next steps for funding west central Missouri action were the topic recently of the START HERE Business Acceleration Network’s bimonthly community partner meeting. View recording here.
Through this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), West Central Community Development Corporation (dba New Growth) seeks proposals from qualified firms to develop an application for 2022 Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification. The scope of work for this RFP includes consultant guidance on organizational structure for New Growth to operate rural community development and business assistance programs alongside its certified CDFI.
Credit building program builds pipeline of bankable borrowers. Since October 2021, 26 participants in the New Growth community development corporation program have improved their credit scores 875 points, with a top entrepreneur achievement of 108 points.
Our Rural Housing Opportunity; Using rural solutions to solve rural issues
“If we don’t have affordable housing, our communities can’t move forward.”