As the new legislative session begins, citizens, business leaders, educators, and government officials from the 19-county region of Northwest Missouri will convene in Jefferson City February 3-4, 2026, for Great Northwest Day at the Capitol. The event, chaired by Joe Hegeman of United Fiber, is expected to draw over 250 attendees dedicated to educating legislators on the region’s critical issues and promoting the “Great Northwest.”
“Great Northwest Day at the Capitol is a wonderful opportunity for leaders across our region to come together to speak as one voice on the important issues we see in our communities,” said Joe Hegeman, Chairman of Great Northwest Day. “We’ve learned over the many years of Great Northwest Day that this approach has proven to be very powerful.”
The two-day event begins Tuesday, February 3, with introductions on the House and Senate floors, followed by panel discussions on regional priority issues. That afternoon, a reception will provide attendees with the opportunity to meet with legislators, staff, and department dignitaries, and will feature the presentation of the Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year award. The event concludes on Wednesday, February 4, with a regional breakfast featuring a guest speech from Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.
One of the many strengths of the Great Northwest Day steering committee is how it collects and prioritizes issues and concerns that impact the entire northwest region. The GNW Priorities Committee has identified the following top priorities for the 2026 legislative session:
• Expand Rural Healthcare Access: Ensuring comprehensive care to support regional stability and patient outcomes.
• Increase Childcare Opportunities: Expanding accessible and affordable childcare to empower the workforce and support families.
• Invest in Higher Education: Supporting institutions of higher education to drive innovation and economic growth.
• Support K-12 Education: Ensuring stable funding and local governance for rural and small school districts.
• Expand Workforce Housing: Developing affordable housing to attract workers and foster population growth.
• Ensure Sustainable Tax Reform: Advocating a balanced reform approach that promotes and safeguards essential local community services, public safety, or infrastructure.
Registration for the event is $80 if completed prior to January 27. This rate is made possible by sponsors including Touchstone Energy, Evergy, United Fiber, Green Hills Communications, Allstate Consultants, Cameron Regional Medical Center, Hedrick Medical Center & Memorial Wright Hospital, Mosaic Life Care, Snyder & Associates, Olsson, Missouri American Water, Missouri Western State University, North Central Missouri College, and Northwest Missouri State University.
For more information about Great Northwest Day at the Capitol or to register, visit www.greatnorthwestday.com or contact Atchison County Coordinator Monica Bailey at 660-744-6262 or acdc@atchisoncounty.org.
