The Atchison County Development Corporation held a bus-iness lunch for Tarkio and Westboro business personnel and citizens Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at the Tarkio Nutrition Center. Ashlee Driskell is pictured at top speaking about her collaboration with ACDC while working for Community Hospital-Fairfax and the Tarkio Parks and Recreation Board. Atchison County Clerk Susette Taylor, directly above, spoke about the positive impacts ACDC has made to the county. ACDC Director Monica Bailey, above middle, talked about all the programs ACDC has implemented to bring economic development to the forefront of everyone’s minds and to keep our youth leaders in the county.

Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) hosted its 2019 business lunch for the Tarkio/Westboro area Wednesday, March 13, at the Atchison County Nutrition Center. Over 55 attendees enjoyed a wonderful lunch.  Lori Seymour, ACDC board president, welcomed all to the meeting and Lydia Hurst, ACDC board member, offered a prayer of thanks for the meal and for the opportunity to make our county a better place.

Susette Taylor, Atchison County Clerk, mentioned the upcoming renewal of the 1/4-cent economic development sales tax (on the ballot April 2) and discussed the benefits of having an office that dedicated to the development of Atchison County. Over the years, the county has been able to attract new businesses and industry, largely due to ACDC’s efforts to establish the Enhanced Enterprise Zone and Tax Increment Financing incentives. She discussed ACDC’s role in keeping boards like the Industrial Development Authority in place, their work as a hub of information for newcomers to the area, and their part in the overall increase of the tax base over the last 25 years.

Ashlee Driskell, Department Director of ER/Med Surg/Home Health at Community Hospital-Fairfax, discussed the importance of ACDC’s engagement with youth and their career development programs, especially Careers on Wheels which showcases multiple career paths, most of which do not require a traditional four-year degree. Driskell, who is also president of the Tarkio Parks & Recreation Board, discussed their student members’ use of the ACDC’s Youth Beautification Grant.

ACDC Director Monica Bailey highlighted ACDC’s mission and activities (growing existing businesses, encouraging new business, promoting the county, advocating for the county, developing economic development tools, and creating career development opportunities for youth) and urged supporters to vote yes to renew the 1/4-cent sales tax on April 2, so that their work can continue.