Great Northwest Day at the Capitol’s annual gathering with legislators in Jefferson City will look and feel different in a COVID-19 pandemic year. Since its grassroots beginning in 2003, constituents from across 19 counties in Northwest Missouri have engaged in a unique regional, cooperative approach to communicate with statewide elected officials, staff members and department administration. Faced with COVID-19 challenges in 2021, the GNW Steering Committee is pushing forward by shifting to virtual visits advocating regional priorities. The Great Northwest Live Event will take place over three days (February 1-3, 2021). Participants are encouraged to engage online with questions on the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Facebook page.
The Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Live Event will include:
Monday, February 1
2:00 p.m., Facebook Live – Legislative Update: Regional Legislative Panel
Tuesday, February 2
10:00 a.m., GNW Priorities
12:00 p.m., Facebook Live – Governor Mike Parson
Wednesday, February 3
10:00 a.m., Facebook Live – Rob Dixon, Director of Department of Economic Development
The 19 counties of Northwest Missouri began last fall to collect and prioritize a common number of issues impacting the entire region. This year the focus of legislative priorities will be on the following:
• Sustained Funding for COVID-19 Recovery and Reopening of Regional and Community Assets
• Increase Full Access to Mental Health and Primary Care
• Support Innovation Within Rural Education – Early Childhood, K-12, Higher Ed and Community
• Ensure End-of-Road Access to High-Speed Broadband
For more information and to participate in the free virtual event the GNW Steering Committee invites you to “like” the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Facebook page. As details are finalized additional information and program updates will be made available on the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Facebook page.
Event sponsors for the 2021 event are Touchstone Missouri American Water and Evergy.
For more information, contact Monica Bailey, Atchison County Coordinator, at 660-744-6562, or Annette Weeks, Great Northwest Day 2021 Chair, at 816-271-4283.
