USDA Rural Development Area Director Kelly Gregory today recognized the Kaysinger Basin Regional SET VI Planning Committee for being designated as a USDA Stronger Economies Together (SET) region.
“Kaysinger Basin has very strong relationships with other counties in the region. The planning committee has been meeting with citizens and community leaders to discuss local infrastructure, business retention and expansion, agricultural opportunities and more,” said Gregory. “The planning committee has made great progress on bringing awareness to certain shortcomings of the region and discussing future plans to address these issues. Rural Development is proud to partner with Kaysinger Basin and keep the discussion of progression going.”
In the summer of 2016, Kaysinger Basic Regional Planning Commission (KBRPC) was awarded Stronger Economies Together (SET) through the USDA. The purpose of SET is to create an economic development plan for the Kaysinger Basin region which includes Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, St. Clair, and Vernon Counties. KBRPC has partnered with the USDA and the University of Missouri Extension to conduct a Civic Forum and five SET Committee meetings. Citizens and community leaders from across the seven county region representing a variety of sectors including non-profit, public, private, education, healthcare, business, economic development and government gathered at each of these meetings to provide input and build the plan.
The plan in progress focuses on local infrastructure including broadband, business retention and expansion, tourism, small business development, agricultural opportunities and workforce development. The impact of these sessions on KBRPC, West Central Community Action Agency and the other participants cannot be overstated resulting in a plan that forges new partnerships and creates a unique path to economic development.
The purpose of USDA SET is to strengthen the capacity of communities/counties in rural America to work together in developing and implementing an economic development blueprint that strategically builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region. Interested parties may contact the Clinton Area Office at (660) 885-5567 Ext 4.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $218 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.