Building on insights from the recent report, Solving Missouri's Child Care Puzzle, this webinar series advances the discussion and explores actionable shared service solutions for child care in Missouri.

The Heartland Regional Food Business Center received an incredible 479 applications for the first round of our Business Builder grant, aimed at helping small and midsize food and farm businesses expand and thrive. This strong response highlights the demand for resources that support local food entrepreneurs across our five-state region!

New Growth Transit celebrates a remarkable milestone: over 1 million miles of free rides provided to rural Missourians in 2024—equivalent to circling the globe 40 times. This achievement underscores the vital role of our volunteer drivers in connecting residents to essential services.

With nearly half of Missouri’s young children living in "child care deserts," a new report from the New Growth Women’s Business Center and University of Missouri Extension, proposes a business-oriented solution: shared services or central office support for small and home-based child care providers.

The Liston Center, a community hub in El Dorado Springs and home to New Growth offices, has installed a generator to keep essential services running during power outages. Funded by a USDA grant and a trivia night fundraiser, future events will continue to support the plan to build a community-serving commercial kitchen.

USDA and the Heartland Regional Food Business Center Make Available Over $3.7 Million to Farm and Food Businesses in First Round of Business Builder Grants. El USDA y el Heartland Regional Food Business Center ponen a disposición de las empresas agrícolas y alimentarias más de 3,7 millones de dólares en la primera ronda de subvenciones para la creación de empresas

Eisenhower Fellowship takes New Growth leader abroad to tour and learn innovative things China is doing to ensure a vibrant food system

Trivia Night at the Liston Center on June 28, themed "Summer Lovin'," saw 12 enthusiastic teams competing in a festive 50s atmosphere, raising over $3,000 for the kitchen renovation.

What's it like to live in rural Missouri, need access to frequent medical care, but can’t drive yourself? Read about Gary and James, New Growth Transit riders who had limited choice in transportation.

At the heart of community action is Community! Join us for fun events hosted across West Central Missouri this summer in support of providing access to opportunities and choices for our neighbors and rural communities.

The START HERE Business Acceleration Network is a team of resource partners working together to ensure rural small business success.

Changing the picture of rural Missouri is the vision behind Rural Business Photo Stories, a project of community development organization New Growth with support from Missouri Humanities.