Bob Alldredge, ACDC Treasurer, welcomed more than fifty community members to ACDC’s annual business lunch at the Fairfax Community Room on March 29. Alldredge recognized the elected officials present including Sheriff Dennis Martin and all three county commissioners: Curt Livengood, Richard Burke, and Jim Quimby. ACDC Board members Lori Seymour and WC Farmer were also recognized along with staff members Carol Clark and Monica Bailey. All enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by the Daybreak Café. Alva Stoner, Fairfax Mayor, offered prayer for the nourishing food and for the worthwhile work of those gathered.
In addition to the printed agenda, Dr Michael Garrett, Fairfax R-III superintendent was there to introduce and welcome Dr Jeremy Barright who will begin duties as superintendent at Fairfax on July 1. Dr Garrett said he would miss the people of Fairfax and how much they care.
Two members of the Fairfax Community Foundation (Jill Kingery, Chairperson, and Crystal Woodring, Secretary/Treasurer) discussed what they learned about the community foundations during their Leadership Northwest experience. They shared about the creation of the Fairfax foundation and the types of projects they will focus on. An early success of the group is the sign that has been created in honor of Paralympic Gold Medalist John Gilbert.
Steve Williams, Enel Area Construction Manager, spoke about Enel’s strong background in ownership of renewal energy projects.  Enel owns solar, geothermal and wind projects in the US and throughout the world, including Costa Rica, Brazil and Italy.  The company’s home office is Rome, Italy.  Enel has 7 projects in construction right now and their intention is to leave each place a little better than they find it.  Williams emphasized that Enel is the project owner and as such, they want to be contributing members of the community.  The main contractor on Rock Creek Wind Project (RCWP) is RES Construction Co.  RCWP will consist of 150 2-MW turbines.  Ten trucks will be required to deliver the parts for each turbine, including the blades.  In response to audience questions, Williams said that the planned transportation route for turbine components will be predominately Highway 136.  He acknowledged that possibly bridge and road work would may need to be done within the project boundaries to handle the loads of incoming turbine components. These components will come from various locations in the US.  Williams stated that in the first year following construction, Enel will have about 5 employees in Atchison County.  Williams told attendees that he has an open door policy and invited them to speak with him about any project related issues that may arise.
ACDC Director Monica Bailey provided information on ACDC activities. Bailey mentioned that ACDC is funded by a 1/4-cent sales tax that is up for vote every 5 years and charges the office with carrying out economic and community development in Atchison County, which includes but is not limited to: creating jobs through new businesses, bettering quality of life so that people want to work, live and start businesses in the county, filling empty buildings through recruitment efforts, and helping small businesses. Bailey explained that “everything ACDC does is based on three assumptions: that nobody cares about Atchison County as much as we do, that no one has more talent than the people in our towns and the kids in our schools, and that the best way to grow and add jobs and add wealth is to build on what we have.”
Bailey discussed ACDC’s youth programs as a way to connect young people to their county. The Youth Professionalism Workshop is held each year on the Monday of Thanksgiving week. Atchison County Juniors meet at the Tarkio Resource Center and receive tips from business owners and other county leaders, such as how to apply for jobs and how to use social media wisely. In the afternoon, students are taken to businesses throughout the county, where they hear from at least one employer representing each of the 6 career clusters. ACDC’s job shadowing program was started last year as a day for Seniors, but will now also include a second day for Juniors, so that they have two opportunities in high school to explore the hundreds of businesses in the county. These days will be held on March 29 and April 19. Bailey emphasized that the purpose of ACDC youth programs is to connect students with local adults who believe that careers are available locally and that it is POSSIBLE to make a life in Atchison County.
Bailey highlighted the Business Improvement Grant as ACDC’s chief effort to help existing businesses grow and succeed. Applications are being accepted now, and $10,000 has been allotted to this 50/50 reimbursed matching grant program. She also encouraged the audience to direct business start-ups to ACDC, who can assist by connecting them with people who can help them on their journey (such as Keli Morris with Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation), organizations that offer low interest business loans or information on what to do first. Bailey also mentioned ACDC’s support of nonprofits such as area nutrition centers in their efforts to serve the community.
Bailey encouraged attendees to utilize ACDC resources, such as their Facebook page which updates followers on major projects, and their website (www.atchisoncounty.org) which endeavors to be the primary resource for all things Atchison County. Finally, Bailey expressed her hope that when people think of ACDC, they think of their efforts to “Change the Conversation” to one that focuses on the Good in Atchison County.