Several of the new business were able to attend this year’s banquet. Pictured, from left to right, are: Jadyn and Topher Paris of Paris Repair, James Sperber with Midwest Minisplitco, LLC, Justin Pankau with Just in Time Rentals, LLC, Amy Hughes with Crazy Ginger Stitches, LLC, Wendy Abdulai with A Perfect 10, John Rightsell with R3 Tree Service, and Chris Kryzak with CK Outdoor Adventures.
Devon Sons was one of the guest speakers for the evening. Devon gave a little insight to his journey back to Atchison County.
The Board of Atchison County Development Corporation had the opportunity to recognize their director, Monica Bailey, for being selected as one of 50 Missourians You should know in Ingram’s magazine. Presenting the award to Monica, center, are MaryAnn Hull, left, and Lori Seymour, right.
Claire Spiegel, Avery Meyerkorth, Cali Driskell, and Addy Maifeld (Just Four Friends) were recognized for their efforts to clean up Rock Port City Memorial Park with the Beautification Grant.
Mary Ann Hull, right, presented Tarkio Parks and Recreation with a Community Improvement Award. Receiving the award were Jennifer Peregrine, left, and Ashlee Driskell, center.
Bella Hurst shared her story as to why and how she found her way back to Atchison County.
ACDC Director Monica Bailey gave a report on things happening around Atchison County.
A large crowd of supporters gathered in the Fairfax R-3 School Cafeteria for the annual Atchison County Development meeting.
The Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) held its annual meeting September 13, 2023. ACDC Board President Lori Seymour welcomed over 70 guests to the Fairfax R-3 School, recognizing dignitaries and ACDC’s board and staff. Board member W.C. Farmer led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation. Guests enjoyed an excellent dinner prepared by Chef Paul Presents.
W.C. Farmer presented the New Business Awards:
• Wendy Abdulai is a new stylist at A Perfect 10 Salon in Rock Port and specializes in barbering services.
• CK Outdoor Adventures and Squaw Creek Lodge are two new businesses owned by Chris Kryzak in Fairfax. Chris offers guided hunting, fishing and trail riding, and Missouri adventures are based out of the lodge in rural Atchison County.
• Crazy Ginger Stitches, LLC, is a custom embroidery business owned by Amy Hughes in Tarkio.
• For the Love of Mud, LLC, owned by Brody Vansickle in Fairfax, specializes in drywall install and repair.
• Hale Construction Services, LLC, owned by Trevor Hale in Rock Port, specializes in concrete and retaining wall construction.
• Happy Hills Gas & Coffee Co., located at Exit 110 in Rock Port and owned by Lance and Tami Lansdown, is opening soon and will offer gourmet coffee, stone deck pizza, homemade donuts, fuel and more.
• Joshua Hayes Handyman Services, based in Rock Port, offers all manner of home improvement and honey-do list services.
• Just in Time Rentals, LLC, owned by Justin Pankau in Rock Port, covers equipment, long term housing rentals, and short term apartment/housing rentals.
• Midwest Minisplitco, LLC, owned by James Sperber in Rock Port, specializes in sales, installs, and routine maintenance of minisplit ductless air conditioning units.
• MK3 Construction, LLC, owned by Tanner Martin, is a heavy equipment construction company based in Rock Port.
• Nautihairs is a salon owned by hair designer/stylist Autumn Murry, and is located in Hidden Beauty on Main Street in Tarkio.
• Paris Repair, LLC, is an auto repair shop at Exit 110 in Rock Port, and is owned by Topher and Jadyn Paris.
• R3 Tree Service, formerly R3 Stump Removal, is owned by John Rightsell and based in Rock Port.
• The Roost Eatery in Tarkio is owned by Doc and Katie Williams and Brooke Vette. The Early Bird serves breakfast and lunch, and The Night Owl (bar and grill) will be open soon for dinner.
• Self & Soul, LLC, owned by Cassie Hegstrom in Tarkio, provides spiritual coaching and guidance.
• Super 8 and Rock Port Inn in Rock Port are now owned by Karen Brown and managed by Samona Carver.
• TMJ Clothing, owned by Daryl and Sarah Wiley in Tarkio, sells graphic tees and other items.
• True 2 U Retrievers, LLC, located in Tarkio and owned by Allen Wennihan, breeds top of the line hunting and hunt test dogs.
• White Tee’s, owned by Melissa White, offers graphic shirts and boutique clothing, and is located on Main Street in Tarkio.
• Wilder Boudoir, LLC, owned by Lea Sutter in Tarkio, focuses on photography that empowers women and helps them feel confident and beautiful.
MaryAnn Hull presented a Community Improvement Award to Tarkio Parks and Recreation, which used traditional fundraising, class challenges on Facebook, and community-building events like a comedy night, a trivia night and Elf commercials, to raise over $60,000 for a bleacher renovation and landscaping project at the Tarkio ballfield.
Lori Seymour then presented a Youth Beautification Grant awards to Just Four Friends, a group of Rock Port students (Cali Driskell, Avery Meyerkorth, Claire Spiegel, and Addy Maifeld) who will power wash, stain wood surfaces and paint the metal frames of the picnic tables in the shelter house and at the volleyball pit at the Rock Port City Park, and the bleachers at the south baseball field.
Two outstanding guest speakers and Atchison County graduates shared their stories of growing up here and the paths that led them home. Bella Hurst discussed her role at Flower Mill and Buttercup, and Devon Sons shared about his experience as an Atchison County Sheriff’s Deputy, Rock Port Lutheran pastor, and Liberty Theatre director.
Lori Seymour presented the current slate of ACDC officers: Lori Seymour, president; Craig Corken, vice-president; Eryn Stepp, secretary; and Bob Alldredge, treasurer. She then presented current financials and reminded attendees that this information is always available to the public.
Executive Director Monica Bailey thanked ACDC board members and staff for their support and discussed several good things happening around Atchison County. She then highlighted the following ACDC efforts:
• Youth career programs (Careers on Wheels, Youth Professionalism Workshop, Job Shadowing Day)
• ACDC Scholarships for graduating seniors and local individuals enrolled in Tarkio Tech programs
• Business Improvement Grants given since October 2022: Designs by Deb J, Gary Stoner Mowing, and Happy Hills Gas & Coffee Company
• Annual Shop AC event (November 16 this year), #ShopAC Facebook group, and the second annual Atchison County Artisans Holiday Makers Market
• Funding support of nonprofits since last fall: Atchison County Battle of the Books, Leadership Northwest Missouri, Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, Northwest Missouri Industries, Tarkio Parks & Recreation, Fairfax Optimist Club, Rock Port Youth Athletics Association, Fairfax Improvement Foundation, and Tarkio Nutrition Center
• Staffing support of Tarkio Renewal and Restore Rock Port
Monica Bailey dismissed the group, encouraging them to always look for the good here. #ACisAwesome!
