Business Updates
Business Updates
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Watch for the most up-to-date news and information from all over Pulaski County. Got an update you'd like to share? Contact us today!
Showcase your Restaurant at the Waynesville-St Robert Chamber's Largest Community event!
2/2/2024
PR: Waynesville-St Robert Area Chamber of Commerce
The Waynesville – St. Robert Area Chamber of Commerce would like to invite Pulaski County restaurants to participate in this year's Taste of Pulaski County. Instead of having a one day event, we would like to encourage our community to bring business to your establishment. This event will run from March 4- April 15, 2024.
We are creating a “Taste of Pulaski County Passport” that can be purchased for $5 each. Participating restaurants will be listed in the booklet with restaurant logo, contact information, and discount or special that will be provided during the duration of the event. The passports can be taken to participating restaurants and receipts will act as their stamps. Upon completion of the event, passports can be returned with receipts to the Chamber and be entered into a drawing to win gift cards to participating restaurants. Multiple winners will be drawn and a grand prize drawing will be held for anyone that fills their passport.
We would like to encourage all area restaurants to take part in this family oriented event, both Chamber members and non-members. Registration fees to participate in this event are as follows: Chamber members - $25 gift card to your business. Non-members, $50 plus a $25 gift card to your business. The gift cards will be utilized as prizes for those who turn in passports upon completion of the event. In addition to being listed in the passport, restaurants will be listed on the Pocketsights web site with their contact information, Taste of Pulaski County event web site, and on the Chamber social media sites.
The deadline to register and have your restaurant’s information printed in the Passport is February 15, 2024.
Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling the office at (573) 336-5121 or email chamber@wsrchamber.com.
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2024 Cost Share Grants - Route 66 Corridor Preservation program
2/1/24
The National Park Service, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program is pleased to announce that the 2024 cost-share grant season is now open. Eligible grant activities include preservation planning, National Register nominations, preservation and rehabilitation work on eligible historic sites, and/or research and educational outreach initiatives.
The application period is open now through April 19, 2024. Full details are available here: grants.gov/search-results-detail/352161 (Funding Opportunity No: P24AS00251)
The cost-share grant program is established for Fiscal Year 2024 only and is subject to revision or cancellation in future years based on annual congressional or programmatic appropriations and priorities. Grant applications are considered on a competitive basis. It is estimated that successful applicants will be notified on or before May 30, 2024; project work cannot begin until a grant agreement is in place, typically on or before September 15, 2024.
For more information: Kaisa Barthuli, Program Manager - Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, National Trails National Park Service Ph: 505-988-6701 Email: kaisa_barthuli@nps.gov
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MCFA Annual Convention & Tradeshow
1/23/24
The Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association (MCFA) Board of Directors are excited to announce that MCFA Annual Convention and Trade Show is being held 26 – 28 February 2024 at the Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield, Missouri. Mark your calendar to attend this must attend state wide event tailored just for outfitters and outdoor recreation providers and staff.
The focus of this year’s annual convention includes: fun-filled, profit-inspiring, networking opportunities, education sessions, roundtable discussions, networking events and a two day trade show with one-stop shopping convenience hosting the best outdoor vendors in the industry.The Oasis Hotel has a block of room for MCFA convention attendees offering sleeping rooms at $104.00 per night plus tax for reservations made before 02/07/24. For reservations call the Hotel reservation desk at 417-866-5253. To be added to the notification list regarding the 2024 MCFA convention agenda and registration call Larry Helms, VP MCFA - Cell (573) 337-0543
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NATURALLY MERAMEC ANNOUNCEMENT
1/8/2024
The Naturally Meramec Consortium are looking to hold the next meeting on Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the Meramec Regional Planning Commission meeting room in St. James. To better accommodate members, this meeting will also be available on zoom and will be recorded and posted for those who are unavailable to attend. We want to emphasize the importance of attending this meeting to assess member needs and plan future activities that require input and feedback. We are planning on discussing:
- Naturally Meramec Consortium Food Hub – We are planning to roll-out and the NMC Food Hub Facebook group directly after this month’s meeting. The vision of how the group will work, guidelines for members and more details were outlined at the October meeting which can be found at https://spaces.hightail.com/space/mmm6TIZxRd. If you are interested or planning on participating please let me know as we want to have some products ready to be advertised as examples for the January meeting presentation.
- DRA Educational opportunities – There are currently a wide range of education opportunities available to residents of Dent, Phelps, Crawford and Phelps County at NO COST through our current Delta Regional Authority Grant. These courses include the CALS Online Grower Training Course outlined at https://cals.cornell.edu/produce-safety-alliance/training/grower-training-course/online-course and a wide range of University of Missouri Extension Classes pertaining to food safety which are listed on your local county’s website at https://extension.missouri.edu/counties. I am meeting this month with DRA County Extension Council’s to further promote these opportunities and discuss other prospects.
- Website Request for Proposals – We are currently finalizing an RFP for the Naturally Meramec Website to improve functionality and the overall user experience. These changes will be outlined and discussed at the January Meeting.
- Agritourism Sign Cost Share Program – Missouri Agritourism businesses may now participate in the Missouri Tourist Oriented Directional Sign (TODS) Program, administered by Missouri Logos under the direction of the Missouri Department of Transportation. More details and the program application is available at https://ltgov.mo.gov/tourism/agritourism/.
- Additionally, we hope to have an open discussion with members about promotion opportunities, educational needs, taste of county events and the overall consortium’s ideas for the future.
We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on January 23! Please continue to send me any events or things you want to promote on our facebook page or the NMC website. I will send out a formal meeting invite with zoom details for January 23 early next week.
Orin Pogue
Community Development Specialist
Meramec Regional Planning Commission
4 Industrial Drive
St. James, MO 65559
(573) 265-2993 ext. 149
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Sports Feasibility Discussion
1/5/2024
Meeting with Hunden Partners on Wednesday, January 10 at 9 a.m. Meeting will be held at the 9th Grade Center Lecture Hall at Waynesville High School. This meeting will also be available on zoom. If you plan on attending in-person or via zoom, please contact Orin Pogue, Community Development Specialist, Meramec Regional Planning Commission (573) 265-2993 ext. 149 or email; opogue@meramecregion.org
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Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
Nov. 15, 2023
This newly launched fund provides financial support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented. Learn More
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September 13, 2023
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March 24, 2023
Naturally Meramec Meeting - March 28th
The Naturally Meramec Consortium Regional Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held here at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission office at 4 Industrial Drive, St. James, Missouri 65559, or Via Zoom Conference Video/Call, please see below. The more Naturally Meramec Consortium members that we have at these meetings, the more productive these meetings become. If you are interested in being a member of the Naturally Meramec Consortium, this meeting would be the perfect time to join. Membership is only $50.00 and can be paid at the time of the meeting. If you are not a member, we would still love to have your input at the meeting. Everyone is welcome!
Agenda
- Call to Order and Introductions: Mark A. Perkins, Senior Community Development Specialist, Meramec Regional Planning Commission.
- Staff Report: Meramec Regional Planning Commission Staff will report on Naturally Meramec Consortium activities through Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
- Naturally Meramec Consortium Facebook Page.
- Naturally Meramec Consortium Website.
- Strategic Plan: MRPC Staff will discuss the 2023 Strategic Plan for Missouri’s Meramec Region. The Naturally Meramec Consortium will then be asked to offer comments or suggestions on the final draft of the plan.
- New Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Grant: MRPC Staff will discuss the DRA Grant in detail.
- Announcements: Members will have an opportunity to announce special events in their areas.
- Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.
- Networking: Members will have an opportunity to network.
Adjournment:
For more information: Mark A. Perkins, Senior Community Development Specialist, Meramec Regional Planning Commission. Phone: 573-265-2993 Ext. 143 Fax: 573-265-3550 mperkins@meramecregion.org
PulaskiCountyUSA.com, A Brand New Look
March 1, 2023
The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau is excited to announce the launch of the new website! This endeavor was made possible through 75% funding through the Missouri Division of Tourism FY23 MPD Grant, Kudos to the phenomenal work of the team at McDaniel's agency and our Bureau staff. Industry partners wishing to make updates to their listings may log into their account/s to make updates to their complimentary listings, or by emailing our staff. For information on paid-enhanced listings visit the Industry Log-In section on the website. Paid enhanced listings include images, descriptions, links to your website, and social channels.
February 23, 2023
Backing Historic Small Restaurants
The National Park Service announces the Backing Historic Small Restaurant Grant Program. Application opens Feb 23 - Closes Mar 12. Learn more at Saving Places.
Lodging - Online Form, Utility refunds
February 14, 2023
FILL-ABLE PDF REPORTING FORM:
The Guest Assessment Reporting Form is now available as a fillable PDF. You are welcome to save this form and complete it digitally, versus handwritten. You will still need to print it off and send the report in with your payment to the Pulaski County Collector. This is simply saving you from having to handwrite the form.
The fillable PDF is also available online within the Industry section of our website and in the File section of the IDSS Partner Extranet.
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HOTEL UTILITY REFUND:
In October we shared information about the new Missouri Law which became effective August 28, 2022 regarding the Hotel Utility Refund. Last week a partner shared additional information that might be helpful to others.
Below is the information that was provided via Larry and Gayle Helms.
“You may already be aware of a new Missouri Law effective August 28, 2022 concerning Hotel Utility refund Formulas that applies to utilities at hotels. Your hotel may be eligible for a refund of some of the taxes paid on utilities for the last three years. More importantly should you apply and receive a refund you may be exempt on taxes going forward. It may be worth a lot to check this new law out to see if it would be advantageous to your hotels.
I have been informed by our attorney (Franey & Associates) representing the Missouri Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds that the new law may apply to campgrounds with cabins and campsites where the sites are individually metered as well.
These forms and information are located in the Industry Partner section of the website under Lodging Information - Utility Refund Information & Forms.
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REMINDER:
The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau is redesigning the Tourism Bureau website, with a target launch of March 2023.
As a guest transient tax collector, your property qualifies for a complimentary Enhanced Listing for your landing page at PulaskiCountyUSA.com. Enhanced listings include a link to your website, description of your property, and images. The new site will allow for up to 3 images of your property, (the current site allows for one.).
You may access the Partner Extranet to add your images within in the Accommodations Detail, or for ease on your part, you may email bethw@pulaskicountyusa.com with 3 images of your property by 2/15/2023 for inclusion for the new launch. You may also review your current listing and advise of any updates you wish to make.
Helpful tips:
- Horizontal is preferred.
- Showcase the exterior and interior of your property.
- Engaging images; include exterior shots with cars in the parking lot, property amenities, imagery with people, and images showing what sets your property apart from others.
The PulaskiCountyUSA.com website is a key marketing piece to the advertising campaigns that the Bureau invests. Investments include digital, print, outdoor advertising and broadcast encouraging potential leisure and group travelers to connect with the website for more information about our area and tourism partners.