Annual Meeting Coming Up

The annual meeting for the MINK Missouri River Corridor, Inc. is coming up on Friday, March 20, 2015, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

The University Extension offices from all four states (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas) conducted a strategic planning session in November 2014 that had great participation, and even better results. We are now poised to move on from the “organizational” phase of development to the “getting things done” phase. Click to read the MINK 2015 Strategic Plan.

Membership and participation in MINK is vital to our continued growth and effectiveness as an economic force in this vibrant, rural multi-state region. At $50 for business/organization or $25 for individual membership, it’s a bargain!

Here are just a few of the benefits of MINK membership:
*Your business/organization listing on the MINK website

*A link to your website

*Access to post your events on the MINK calendar of events

*Networking and cooperative action among our 4-state membership

*A vote on any business conducted at the membership meetings

*The opportunity to join one of our working committees:
1) Tourism
2) Entrepreneurship
3) Housing
4) Transportation and the M29 Corridor

Please consider joining MINK, or renewing your membership, for 2015 (those who have already paid dues for 2015 will have received a receipt via email).

The annual meeting on March 20 will include elections for board members to hold 2-year terms. The size of the board is expanding and new positions are available. Being a member means that not only can you vote, you can put your name forward for election to the Board.

Ideally, we would like to have equal representation from each state. If you are interested in serving on the board, please contact Gary Satter at gary.satter@glacialhillsrcd.com by March 13 to place your name on the ballot.

If you want to vote and/or run in the board election, your 2015 dues must be received by close of business on Monday, March 16, 2015. Membership forms are available to download at www.minkcorridor.org/membership.

Please register for the meeting & reserve your lunch by email maltsbergerb@missouri.edu or by calling the Buchanan county Extension Center at 816-279-1691 by noon on Monday, March 16. Cost is $10 per person.

Do you know of others who may be interested in this endeavor?  PLEASE SHARE THIS BLOG WITH THEM!

Questions?  Email MINK as minkcorridor@gmail.com.

Do you wish to be added to our email list?  Email MINK at minkcorridor@gmail.com.

Thank you & we hope to see you March 20th!

Check out the MINK Facebook page at www.facebook.com/missouriiowanebraskakansas.

Updates

Have you checked out our calendar or the website lately?

There are events added to the calendar.  Please note if you are a member of MINK and have an event to share, please email minkcorridor@gmail.com to have it added to the website calendar and the Facebook calendar.

We have also updated the website to reflect our committees.  We share their goals and will be posting the minutes of their meetings as they become available.  Note that the Transportation Committee has minutes available!

Come back as we continue to improve the site.  We welcome positive input & suggestions!

Strategic Plan!

The final Strategic Plan is available for download here: MINK 2015 Strategic Plan.

Strategic Planning Session

The Strategic Planning Session was a great success and we are thankful to the 38 participants plus the University Extension facilitators from all four states who were able to take two days of their busy schedules to spend on this wonderful endeavor!

As promised, we have the slide decks to share that were used during our days together.  The first that Steve Adams utilized that shared all of the demographics of the region: MINK_v3.  It has been updated to remove the population data of Douglas County, Nebraska.

We also have the slides to share regarding Fund Development from Lynn Adams: Fund Development-MINK.

Please email minkcorridor@gmail.com if there are any questions or issues with downloading.  Thank you.

Holidays Are Coming

The holidays are fast approaching and our communities are all a buzz.  Do you have events happening  in the MINK corridor that  you would like to share?  Plattsmouth, Nebraska is having their Victorian Christmas On Main coming up Saturday, November 29th from 6 pm to 9 pm.  So much to do!  We have posted the event here & on our Facebook page.  See the flyer Christmas on Main 2014.  You can also see a video!

Many Businesses offering great shopping & refreshments!
Father Christmas
Bouquets of Holly & Mistletoe & More
HAYRACK RIDE
Roasting Chestnuts
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
Tree Lighting
MUSIC
Hot Dogs & More Cart
Yuletide Coffee House
Pony Rides…
Hot Cross Buns & Gingerbread Village
Premier Design Jewelry Drawing
Kids Arts & Crafts
Reindeer Petting Zoo
Live Nativity Scene
DC Waterhole Museum, Cabin, Caboose
Rides!

MINK Organization Hosting Four-State Strategic Planning Conference

MINK Missouri River Corridor, Inc. is hosting a two-day strategic planning workshop to identify strengths, needs and opportunities for counties and communities along the Missouri River Corridor.  The workshop will be held at the Kimmel Education and Research Center in Nebraska City, on November 17 and 18, 2014.  The workshop will be facilitated by Cooperative Extension Specialists from the four-state region.

According to Twila Larson, president of MINK, “This strategic planning process will help us identify opportunities for projects along the MO River Corridor that impact all four states.”  “In today’s economy, having a well-defined plan and working together as a region is critical for success,” she added.

Interested community and regional leaders are encouraged to participate in the strategic planning process. Extension Community Development Specialist, Beverly Maltsberger, says, “This is a great opportunity for leaders in the 4-state region to come together and identify specific projects that will benefit the entire region.” “It will give our region a head start on improving economic development and sustainability opportunities in the Missouri River corridor.

For more information or to register for the conference, call the Buchanan County Extension Center at 816-279-1691.  Cost for the conference is $55 and includes meals and breaks.  Pre-registration is required by November 3.  You may also obtain the conference flier & registration here, MINK Conference Flier Nov 2014.

This program is funded, in part by the United States Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity ADA Institution.

 

Pardon Our Mess

Pardon our mess on our website as we continue to build!  We are a group of volunteers passionate about our region.  Please visit our pages.  Our latest additions are the self-tour information added to the Tourism tab.

Follow us on Facebook & also follow this webpage!

Your feedback is always welcome!

Website Under Construction

Welcome to our website!  Pardon our mess as we are building but PLEASE feel free to look around!