Members of the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce gathered in the New-Mac Community Room to discuss the future of business in the county.
Chamber President, Shawn Cooper, began the July 8 meeting by notifying members of the chamber office's impending move. The headquarters will be relocated down the road a block, to 308 Harmon St.
He noted that 58 percent of chamber expenses have been eliminated this year, which frees up new funds to be invested back into the community.
The chamber boasts 102 members, 25 of those being nonprofits.
"The primary goal of the chamber right now is workforce development through apprenticeship," Cooper said. "We want to sustain the community by bringing new business in while still fulfilling the current jobs and retaining a skilled labor pool."
Cooper then spoke about various youth work-programs in the area, specifically the Work Experience Program and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Summer Jobs Program.
He explained that both programs help connect nonprofit and for-profit companies with youth looking to gain work experience. Participants must be between 16 and 24 years of age.
For businesses involved in the Work Experience Program, the government will provide wages for 240 hours of work at $8.50 an hour to sponsor the employee while they learn a skill.
Local business owner Scott Dennis attested to the Work Experience Program's benefit. He said one of his businesses hired four students through the program at the beginning of the summer.
"It was like watching a flower bloom," Dennis said. "Some of theses kids you could barely hear talk when they first started, they were so shy. I ended up hiring 3 of the 4 full-time after the program ended."
TANF is similar, but with a focus on employing parents who receive government aid in order to foster self-sufficiency.
For these employees, the government will provide wages for 20 hours a week over the course of 9 weeks at minimum wage plus $10 per day for travel to and from work.
All applicants undergo a background check, drug screening, orientation, and work readiness training prior to placement with a business.
Representatives with these agencies explained there are 40 workers available in seven counties in Southwest Missouri. Businesses interested in collaborating may get in contact via the Chamber of Commerce or online at sectorready.org.
Community on 07/20/2017