Arrow Rock to host 5th State of Saline County meeting

When economic times are tough -- as they certainly are now -- community leaders should turn their attention to projects that spur revitalization, and that's the theme that will drive the fifth State of Saline County meeting, according to lead organizer and moderator Jean Gaddy Wilson.

"Revitalization & Recession: State of Saline County 2009" will take place in Arrow Rock Thursday, April 23.

The event is co-sponsored by the Marshall Lions Club and the Village of Arrow Rock.

"More than a dozen speakers from Saline County (will) share their successful strategies for revitalizing their organizations," said Roy Hunter, president of the Marshall Lions Club. He added that part of the focus will be on how organizations are meeting "the new challenges and opportunities brought by the Internet Age and recession."

The event will benefit all individuals and organizations in the county -- including small business, education, tourism, technology, non-profit -- according to organizers, providing them "an opportunity to create new, profitable directions for all of us."

The host village of Arrow Rock is itself an example of adapting and thriving through changing economic times.

A panel of speakers from Arrow Rock will speak about the challenges the town has faced since it was a bustling commercial center 175 years ago and how it has managed to remain viable today as a tourist destination.

"No matter where a business or organization turn-around occurs, these Saline County organizations will paint an inspiring picture of the steps it takes to live into the future," said Wilson. "The Saline County stories of revitalization are inspiring and anyone today will be able to take away ideas for making their future better."

In small discussion groups, participants will figure out how the lessons learned in a University of North Carolina study, "Small Towns, Big Ideas," can be used in the constant revitalization of local organizations.

"Many people tell us that they get new ideas, new networks of people to work with and a 'boost' each year with the State of Saline County," said Wilson, who will serve as moderator of the meeting.

The event will begin with a tour of J. Huston Tavern, where punch and cookies will be served from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.

The main program will begin at 6 p.m. in the Old School House on Main Street (Stolberg-Jackson Community Center) with welcome comments by Hunter, who is also executive director of Marshall-Saline Development Corporation.

Sessions

--Arrow Rock: How a prosperous river town founded in the "wagon wheels and steamboats age" stays alive in the "interstate and internet age."

Presenters: Tom Hall and Kathy Borgman, Friends of Arrow Rock.

--Saline County organizations: How a number of entities have faced adversity and managed to revitalize, and what they are doing to meet the challenges of economic recession.

Presenters: Ron Ott, president and CEO, Fitzgibbon Hospital; Bonnie Humphrey, president, Missouri Valley College; Steve Hartwig, co-owner, Red Cross Pharmacy; Mary Fangman, superintendent of Marshall Habilitation Center; Connie Latimer, mayor of Marshall; Stephen Allegri, mayor of Slater; Matt Huston, vice-president of Wood & Huston Bank; Saline County Commissioners ; John Fletcher, Central Missouri AgriServices; and Tom Blumhorst, Blumhorst Veterinary Clinic.

--Recession & Crime: how the current recession affects crime in the county.

Presenters: Saline County Sheriff Wally George and Sgt. Woody Hicks, Missouri State Highway Patrol.

--Discussion. At 7 p.m. participants will convene in small groups to discuss how best to take advantage of the resources in the county.

Small groups will report on their discussions at 7:45 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. participants will discuss what steps to take based on ideas generated during earlier discussions.

Contact Eric Crump at

marshalleditor@socket.net

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