New Growth

Will you be in Jefferson City Tuesday? Look for New Growth Women's Business Center there! We believe in the power and potential of rural women to employ themselves, provide jobs for others, and build their local economies and communities.

Today marks the first day of spring, and it’s also National Ag Week! Local farmers and food producers play a vital role in west central Missouri—not only growing the food we rely on but also contributing to local jobs, businesses, and economic resilience. Their success strengthens our small towns, local markets, and the entire regional supply chain. New Growth is here to support both farm and non-farm businesses that help rural communities thrive. Whether you’re growing food, running a small business, or launching a new venture, we connect you with the resources, funding, markets, and support you need to succeed. This year it is especially important to recognize and celebrate the importance of our farmers and rural economies in building strong communities and creating jobs here—not just for today, but for the next generation. #NationalAgWeek #FirstDayofSpring #LocalFarms #RuralBusiness #NewGrowthMO #StrongerTogether

? Discover the stories that are shaping rural communities! From entrepreneurs growing local businesses to programs opening doors for neighbors, these insights show how small steps create big change. Get inspired by real experiences and learn how New Growth is strengthening connections and creating opportunities across the region. ?? See the latest stories: https://lnkd.in/gkQ422b7 #NewGrowthMO #CommunityImpact #RuralDevelopment #StrongerTogether

In light of our current budget constraints, New Growth Transit has been taking a close look at how we meet rural transportation needs. Recently, we had to limit all rides to non-emergency medical trips only (like doctor’s appointments). The good news? We’ve found a new partner to help with these important rides! Since non-emergency medical rides make up about half of our program costs, we are now working with MTM (Medical Transportation Management) for Medicaid-eligible rides. If you have Medicaid, you can call the number on the back of your Medicaid card to schedule a ride—and you can request New Growth Transit as your provider! Rides we receive through MTM will help keep our volunteer drivers rolling and support the New Growth Transit program. When we first started, most people thought medical rides were the only need. But by providing rides for work, shopping, and community access, we’ve shown that rural transportation is about more than just getting to the doctor. And, we’ve proven that a volunteer driver network works! In less than 10 months last year, our 78 volunteer drivers provided over 1 million miles in rides! Now, we’re looking for more financial partners to help meet these broader transportation needs. Please understand that our budget comes from several sources, including some funding from specific counties. Counties often want the services they support to stay local, which means that as we approve ride requests, it may seem random which rides we can approve or where we can go. We ask for your patience and understanding as we work through these changes. Your support will help keep the whole program running! We’re also seeking more funding opportunities. If you know of an organization interested in helping fund volunteer driver transportation, even if for specific needs, please reach out to us. Thank you for your patience as we adjust to these changes. Feel free to direct message with questions regarding these changes or call us to request a ride at least 48 hours in advance – 417-283-7991 Together, we can keep supporting our rural communities! #newgrowthtransit #newgrowthmo #volunteerdrivernetwork #ruraltransportation

You drive, we’ve got the rest! When you volunteer with New Growth Transit, you’re never on your own. We take care of the logistics—ride scheduling, volunteer training, tablet support, reimbursement scheduling, and SO much more. Got a question or an issue? Just give us a call—we’re here to help every step of the way. Our team is dedicated to making sure volunteer drivers can focus on what they love most: helping neighbors and making a difference in their community. Together we can provide the next million miles in rides! Volunteer as a driver and set your own schedule while receiving mileage reimbursement - money that is not an income but meant to cover way more than just gas. Can’t be a driver? Donate to support reimbursements for those who generously give their time. Together, we’re strengthening rural communities and helping neighbors in need—one mile at a time. Apply to be a driver, give us a call 417-283-7991 or visit newgrowthtransit.org #NewGrowthTransit #VolunteerDrivers #GivingBack #RuralTransportation #morethanaride #VolunteerDriverNetwork

The summer 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing the world to Kansas City—and to our rural communities too! With over half a million visitors expected and hotels filling up fast, rural communities up to 2.5 hours away will see a surge in travelers looking for places to stay, eat, and explore. Plus, with the Route 66 100th Anniversary Festival and Branson attractions, our region is perfectly positioned for extended tourism. NOW’s the time to prepare your business or town for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! New Growth is here to help—sign up for updates and get connected with resources to make the most of this tourism boom. Read more & get involved! https://lnkd.in/gnsaP2Tv #WorldCup2026 #KansasCity2026 #RuralTourism #Route66 #BransonMO #SmallTownOpportunity #NewGrowthMO

Are you getting the New Growth News emails?! So much happening, you won't want to miss out! 1. Be sure you signed up by submitting (again if need) for emails at the bottom of our website: https://lnkd.in/e8mFqHB 2. Check your spam folder! 3. Or click this link to view online:https://conta.cc/4hP5KrG #newgrowthmo #newgrowthwbc #smallbusiness #ruralmissouri #ruralrocks

Lawanna Salmon and her family have been raising cattle for decades in St Clair County, Missouri, but selling meat directly to consumers? That was a whole new challenge. Like many small farmers, they knew there was demand for high-quality, local beef—but figuring out processing, regulations, and marketing was another story. That’s where New Growth came in. Through business coaching and networking, Lawanna connected with the right resources, mentors, and funding opportunities to grow Salmon Enterprises into a successful direct-to-consumer meat business. Now, she’s sharing what she’s learned with YOU! Lawanna will be speaking at the Farm to Fork Summit on March 7, 2025, for her session on Marketing Meat Direct to Consumers. The Farm to Fork Summit is an event so popular, so needed, that it has now SOLD OUT!! Read Lawanna’s story on New Growth's website: https://lnkd.in/gyenN3JQ #farmtofork #newgrowthmo #f2f2025 #farmtoforksummit #nevadamo #localmeat #smallfarmbusiness #directmarketing #knowyourfarmer

Did you get the New Growth Transit News or New Growth News in your email recently? If you did, help us out a bunch and click on something! This little action will help our emails make it in more inboxes! Sounds simple, and it's not, but just take our word - it helps a bunch! To sign up for these emails or to just see the email online, visit: https://conta.cc/4hLw1rv Thank you SO much for all YOUR support!! #newgrowthtransit #newgrowthtransitemails #supportinmotion #volunteerdrivers

These incredible sponsors know that supporting local food and farm businesses strengthens our communities, boosts local economies, and keeps fresh, delicious food on our tables! A huge shout-out to: Vital Farms City of Nevada & Nevada Tourism Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Agri Spray Drones Missouri Grown Tractor Supply in Nevada, Mo Gordon's Orchard Missouri Northern Pecan Growers Precision Coffee Company Johnny's Selected Seeds MFA Agri Services Morgan County Seeds Their support makes the Farm to Fork Summit possible—bringing farmers, food businesses, and eaters together to grow a stronger local food system. #newgrowthmo #farmtofork2025 #farmtofork #smallbusiness #farmandfoodbusinesses