What's Happening...
Mercer County Economic Development is a relatively new organization, formed out of a grass roots passion for community sustainability and the desire to improve the overall health and wealth for the citizens of Mercer County, Missouri. MCAD is action oriented, and its leadership is focused on initiating and completing projects identified by our business community and citizenry. We also exist to support and celebrate our stakeholder and community partner accomplishments.
MCAD Empowers Community Change
In May 2023, MCAD opened Bella Boutique. The store offers gently used merchandise at a discount prices, all for an excellent cause. MCAD will used the net proceeds to help support a county-wide daycare operation and to sponsor other community organizations within Mercer County. MCAD is building this community capacity as part of its overall planning efforts, which launched in 2021. Currently the store is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Look for the store and logo on Facebook.
MO DED Awards 70% State Tax Credits
The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded MCAD $70,000 in Missouri State Tax Credits.
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Qualified contributors can redirect state tax dollars to help improve their community. MCAD will utilize the funds raised through NAP Contributions to help shop owners make storefront improvements in Mercer County's downtowns and encourage community revitalization throughout our business districts.
Wright Memorial Supports Community Development
Members of MCAD's Board and the CEO of St Luke's Critical Access Region met to recognize and celebrate Wright Memorial's contribution in Mercer County's community revitalization and economic development efforts.
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MCAD will utilize their investment to complete downtown revitalization, neighborhood renewal, and small business service projects.
MFA Oil Foundation Awards Grant
The MFA Oil Foundation has awarded a grant to MCAD to assist with upgrading the lighting, installing vendor electricity and purchasing signage for the downtown Princeton Bandstand Area. The Creating Community Space project will improve the community's capacity to host more events and help visitors locate landmarks throughout the community.
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The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities.
USDA RD Awards MCAD two grants
MCAD receives two grants to aid in create a Small Business Services and to study food accessibility in Mercer County. Work within the grant programs including setting up local small business services support - technical assistance and a Revolving Loan Fund to bridge the gap in small business finance.
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For more information about the award visit: NEWS RELEASE: USDA Invests More Than $1 Million to Support Rural Missouri Businesses (govdelivery.com)
MCAD Connect Community Project
One of the first projects prioritized by MCAD stakeholders was a sidewalk connecting Mercer schools with the downtown area.
Thanks to some great planning by MCAD Board members, the home owners who graciously allowed the improvement, a bunch of volunteers who jumped into the mud, and Farmers Bank for sponsoring the project, the MCAD Connect Community sidewalk project is complete!
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Community Assessment
Mercer County Area Development Corporation is conducting a county-wide community assessment to identify our unique features and opportunities for growth and improvement.
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The snapshot assessment provides insight into community and economic development throughout the county. MCAD will use the results to help promote our unique community spirit.
Princeton, MO named Top 20 Work-from-Home Cities
Between Reedsburg, WI and Daytona Beach, FL and just edging out The Woodlands, Tx, Princeton, Missouri was named one of the top 20 work from home communities in the US for 2021 by PCMagazineDigital!
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Low cost to gigabit broadband, median home price, the quiet rural-life make the Mercer County, Missouri county-seat a great place for quiet living.
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MCAD Launches Impact-focused NFP
In 2019, Mercer County stakeholders came together to identify key projects that will positively impact their neighborhood and business communities. The Challenge became, what organization leads that charge? Mercer County Area Development Corporation was formed and received it's non-profit status in December 2020.
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MCADC has been putting its ducks in a row to effectively execute. In the coming months watch for more project news!