Results of a Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative (REI) study of the City of Holden were discussed at a meeting at Central Missouri State University on July 21.

According to Vicky Rightmyre, outreach coordinator for the University of Missouri Community Policy Analysis Center, the project was initially designed to assist rural communities in encouraging and supporting entrepreneurial activity and was funded by a grant from the Kaufman Foundations.

The purpose of the study, she said, was to encourage entrepreneurship in small communities and secondly, work to develop an assessment tool that will provide useful feedback on the entrepreneurial climate.

Twelve communities were studied and Rightmyre says Holden was one of the smaller communities chosen to participate.

The study measures the perceptions of small business owners and entrepreneurs as to how they would rate 10 factors that influence entrepreneurship. Rightmyre says 13 business owners were surveyed with an emphasis on businesses who had been operating for five years or less.

Key findings, according to the survey, were as follows:

Of the five tangible factors, business owners rated access to high speed internet access highest. Access to business services also rated very high.
Of the five tangible factors, business owners rated financial support lowest, rating support from commercial lenders and the city’s willingness to invest public funds to support small businesses.

Of the five less tangible factors, business owners rated fairness of treatment for anyone interested in starting a business highest. Tolerance of diversity also was rated as a strength.

Of the five less tangible factors, business owners rated access to health care lowest. Affordable health insurance was also rated as a weakness.

From a physical infrastructure standpoint, available space for a new business was considered a weakness while internet service was listed as a major strength.

In the commercial and professional infrastructure, obtaining assistance in business planning, accounting services, legal services, printing services and marketing services were all listed as strengths in the community.

From a financial support standpoint, businesses owners surveyed indicated they did not believe local lenders utilized state and federal programs for credit-worthy business loan applicants as much as they should; cited a lack of additional financial resources other than local lenders to invest to new or growing businesses as a weakness and indicated that commercial lenders did not provide support such as courses or materials in preparing for a business loan request.

In the category of community environment and design, the survey indicated those surveyed believed the community has natural and man-made assets that make it an enjoyable place to live; ranked neutral the community in managing its assets in such a way those living her 20 years from now will find this community as enjoyable as current residents; indicated they were satisfied that there were enough places in the community where people can meet and socialize and agreed there is a great deal of pedestrian activity in the downtown during the day.

Concerning human resources, the survey indicated there are ample educational opportunities available for youth to develop their ability to be innovative; did not show there are ample educational opportunities available for youth to develop skills needed for self-employment; showed the need for more educational opportunities available for adults to develop their ability to be innovative and showed a need for more educational opportunities for adults to develop skills needed for self-employment.

The category of government and institutions received negative responses in all categories except one.

Results showed city government is not responsive enough to the needs of those starting a new business; city government is not flexible enough to update ordinances and planning requirements to meet needs of new businesses; city government seems unwilling to use public funding to encourage new business startups and those surveyed were split on the city’s use of outside funding such as Community Development Block Grants and other state and federal grants.

In the market category, the survey showed a strength in the area of unmet needs for products and services in the community are seized upon as opportunities for new business development while, at the same time, it indicated a weakness in local businesses developing new products and services to be marketed outside of the community.

All areas of the community networking with each other received positive remarks.

The quality of life category saw a number of negative responses including a lack of recreational opportunities; lack of opportunities to enjoy music, dance, theatre, painting, sculpture and other forms of art; a lack of access to health care providers and a lack of business owners who are able to provide employees with access to affordable health care. Those responding were split on the availability of affordable housing.

All areas of the category, community beliefs and attitudes, received positive remarks.

Various suggestions were offered that would enhance the community as a place to start a business. One of the leading responses was the need to develop an adequate city park. Some of the other suggestions included working class housing, continued clean up of community, new manufacturing facility, more retail space downtown including an improved appearance, initiate a business incubator project, revitalize downtown area and open the industrial park.

Weaknesses mentioned in the report included difficulty in competing with larger communities in choices and not having stores because of the community’s size, overall cosmetic appeal of community, city’s lack of willingness to invest time and resources to encourage business growth, inability to attract people to work here and the attitude of city government toward any business.

Strengths included small town atmosphere, customer base, close proximity to Kansas City, local lenders willingness to invest in community, long term businesses located here, low taxes, support of local businesses.

Rightmyre stressed the survey is merely a perceptual one and does not reflect the beliefs of the entire community.

Once all data is formulated for all the cities involved, Holden’s information will be compared with the City of Albany who was also chosen for the survey. According to Rightmyre, the two were paired together because of their similar size. The study hopes to show how different communities can make positive changes based on what has worked for another community.

She added the results are meant to serve as input when making decisions regarding where to focus a community’s time and resources in strengthening the community’s entrepreneurial environment.

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Johnson County voters turned down a $12.5 million proposal to build a new county jail facility in Warrensburg. The issue failed, 6,617 to 3,991.

In races of local interest, Destry Hough of Holden defeated Dennis D. Norcross, 1,550 to 1,075 to gain the nod on the Democratic ticket for the Johnson County Western District Commissioner’s seat. He will face Charles Kavanaugh who defeated Jack Landers, 1,053 to 870 on the Republican ticket in November.

In the race for Johnson County Sheriff, incumbent Chuck Heiss defeated challenger Robert Conaway, 3,423 to 1,348 on the Republican ticket. He will face Jack Reynolds who garnered 4,324 votes on the Democratic ticket.

Incumbent Elaine Marsh beat Ruth Anne Parrott in a close race on the Republican ticket for the Johnson County Administrator’s office. Marsh won the race, 2,315 to 2,292. She will face Debbie Bodenhamer who had 4,547 votes on the Democratic ticket.

In the race for State Senate District 31, Larry Snider carried Johnson County, 2,395 to 2,109 over Sam Davis on the Democratic ticket. He will face Chris Koster who ran unopposed on the Republican ticket.

In the state representative, district 120, Russell Hindes carried Johnson County on the Democratic party, 425 to 156 over Wilson Ausmer.

In the race for Johnson County Eastern District Commissioner, Scott Sader won over Michael Kinder, 1,667 to 805 to gain the nod on the Republican ticket. He will face Carol Cheatham who ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket in the November election.

In the race for governor, Claire McCaskill soundly defeated incumbent governor Bob Holden in Johnson County on the Democratic ticket, 3, 205 to 1, 979. On the Republican side, Matt Blunt led Johnson County results with 3,943 votes.

In the U.S. Senate race, Nancy Farmer carried Johnson County with 3,642 votes on the Democratic ticket. Christopher “Kit” Bond led the Republicans with 4,318 votes.

Rebecca McDowell Cool led Ken Jacob in the lieutenant governor’s race on the Democratic ticket, 3,522 to 1,513 and Patricia Secrest bested Peter Kinder, 2,253 to 2,133 on the Republican ticket.

In the state representative race, 122nd. district, Robert Robinson outdid Bruce E. Jones on the Democratic ticket while Mike McGhee beat John Angel on the Republican side.

On the Democratic side, the following candidates ran unopposed: Robin Carnahan, secretary of state; Jeremiah W. Nixon, attorney general; Ike Skelton, U.S. Representative, District 4; Joseph Dandurand, circuit judge; Carol Cheatham, eastern commissioner; Stephanie Elkins, circuit court clerk; Jack Reynolds, sheriff; Susan Morgan, coroner; Debbie Bodenhamer, public administrator.

Running unopposed on the Republican ticket were: Catherined Hanaway, secretary of state; Chris Koster, state senate district 31; Shannon Cooper, state representative, district 120; David Pearce, state representative, district 121; Thomas Hendrix, circuit court clerk; Mark Reynolds, assessor; Nancy Davis, treasurer; C.L. Holdren, coroner; Sam King, surveyor.

County voters also turned down a proposal to allow a casino on the White River in Rockaway Beach, 6,245 to 4,423 and they approved amendment 2, allowing the Missouri constitution to be amended to only recognize marriage between a man and a woman.

All results are unofficial ones.

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The fourth annual dinner meeting between the Holden School Board, Holden City Council, and Johnson County Commissioners was held Thursday, July 29 at the Holden Middle School.

“This gives us a relaxed, informal atmosphere to exchange important news that is of interest to each other,” explained Jeff Miller, school board president.

Dr. Lindell Harrison, superintendent of schools, updated those present on the progress of the intermediate school currently under construction. The district has been promised a completion date of August 27, 11 days later than originally planned. In addition, an open house will be held during September for patrons to have a first-hand look at the new school. Other projects that have been completed include new restrooms and air conditioning at the high school and air conditioning in the existing elementary school.

“These are your schools,” urged Miller. “You are more than welcome to visit. These are your tax dollars being spent.”

Harrison explained that the current plan is to sell the old intermediate school once the move has occurred, and everyone is settled.

Councilman Dwight Anstine expressed concern about the condition of Clay Street between Highway 58 and Eagle Drive. Miller explained the school board had discussed the issue, but did not reach a solution due to the difficulty in moving power lines in order to widen the road to the east.

“Improving Clay Street would present the city and the school system so much better to visitors,” said Anstine. “It would help the traffic flow smoother, not to mention the safety issue.”

Councilman Brent Brown suggested the city and school combine their resources to investigate the possibility of state money that might be available through grants. Mayor Terry Hedglin volunteered to contact Jean Othic, Director of the Warrensburg Economic Development Corporation, for assistance in searching for grant money.

Western District Commissioner Bob Banes informed the attendees on the success of the paving projects in Johnson County. The county has plans to pave 17 miles of gravel roads this summer at a cost of $35,000 per mile. This cost includes base work of five to six inches and a double chip and seal. Not only does the county pave roads that connect major highways, residents may request paving through a co-op program. Residents must submit an application and be willing to pay a portion of the cost.

The commissioners have also spent considerable time supporting a new Johnson County Justice Center.

“This is a large project, but a much needed project,” explained Banes. “It is now up to the voters to decide.”

Hedglin spoke on behalf of the city council informing listeners that the Eagle Crest subdivision will break ground within the next 30 days. The subdivision will be able to accommodate 68 houses. Harrison pointed out that the current expansion of school facilities will only satisfy our present needs. He also added that there is a recent upward trend in enrollment.

Not only did Hedglin provide an update on the continuing search for a police chief and police officers, he also explained that the repaving of streets damaged during the sewer replacement is currently underway. All damaged roads will receive a full asphalt repair by the end of September.

Hedglin expressed the excitement of the council regarding the upcoming opening of Orscheln Farm and Home located on the east side of town.

“This is the kind of store that’s going to appeal to this community and the surrounding area,” Hedglin reiterated.

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