New Growth MO Community Development

06/04/2026

Wish you could get a little help from a lawyer - for free? Every business owner makes decisions that can have legal implications, whether you're signing contracts, hiring employees, choosing a business structure, or selling products and services.

Join SEED Law for a virtual, no-cost session designed to help business owners understand common legal issues, avoid costly mistakes, and make more informed decisions.

This Show-Me Network online training event will include understanding the pros and cons of different business structures (such as sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation), how to protect yourself and your business, what to watch for in contracts, and other common legal issues business owners face.

Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for years, this workshop can help you better understand the legal side of running a business and know when to seek professional guidance.

📆 June 10, 2026
🕐 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Central
💼 Virtual Workshop
📝 Register here: https://hub.catalyzerapp.com/public/events/startup-law-preparing-to-open-your-business-9-793

See more training events like this at https://showmenetwork.org/calendar/

06/04/2026

Supporting entrepreneurs supports the places we call home. It helps individuals or families create income, it creates jobs, and it creates places in the community that that we love. Want help launching or expanding your business idea? Reach out to the New Growth Women's Business Center!

06/04/2026

New Growth Transit helps rural neighbors to get a ride to essential destinations. But, being a volunteer driver often helps more than just the rider!

Richard discovered that helping others through volunteer driving didn’t only help rural riders get where they needed to go. It also helped him find connection and healing.

06/03/2026

If you’re already home with your kids or grand-kids, watching a few more might make sense. And, there's help to get started.

Across rural west central Missouri, families are searching—sometimes desperately—for reliable child care.

The Family Child Care Champions program, coordinated through the New Growth Women's Business Center, will help take that idea and turn it into a practical licensed home-based child care program with step-by-step support.

Participants receive:
• A mentor who has experience running a family child care home
• One-on-one guidance for licensing and setup
• A pre-licensing home visit
• Group training and peer learning
• Up to $2,500 in mini-grant funding to help prepare your space

⚠️ Right now, we're looking for one or two more participants in or near Cedar, Henry, Polk, and St. Clair counties.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://www.newgrowthmo.org/post/start-your-family-child-care-business

06/02/2026

Looking for help with contracts, business entity, accounting, or a specialty help that you are hesitating having to pay for? Get help through the Show-Me Network!

🚀 Looking for free business resources and support?

The New Growth Women's Business Center is excited to partner with Missouri State University's efactory through the Show-Me Network—a new, statewide collaborative program designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners connect with the training, resources, and funding opportunities they need to grow.

Whether you're just starting out, launching a new idea, or looking to take your business to the next level, the Show-Me Network can help connect you with:
✅ Business training and workshops
✅ Expert guidance and mentorship opportunities
✅ Local and statewide business support

If you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or small business owner, now is the perfect time to get connected and see what opportunities are available to you!

Take your business to the next level by enrolling in the Show-Me Network ⬇️

https://showmenetwork.org/small-business/

06/02/2026

Looking for funding opportunities to help grow your farm or food business?

Join us for our next Farmer to Farmer gathering featuring Katie Nixon, New Growth Food Systems Director and organic farmer from Hickory County.

Katie will share an overview of the Harvest to Market Grant through the Heartland Food Business Coalition, including eligibility requirements, funding opportunities, and how the program can help farmers and food entrepreneurs strengthen and expand their operations.

📅 Wednesday, June 11
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM

Whether you're exploring grants for the first time or preparing for a future application, this session will provide practical information, helpful resources, and an opportunity to connect with fellow farmers.

Interested in attending or want more information?

📧 Contact New Growth Farm Outreach Coordinator Schaelyn Bell at [email protected]
📞 Call 417-551-1543

Check out this and more New Growth events at: https://www.newgrowthmo.org/events

We hope you'll join us!

06/01/2026

Why do we support local food and farm entrepreneurs? Because strong local food systems help feed our families, supply important buyers like school cafeterias, create business opportunities, and strengthen rural prosperity.

Plus, with the recent passage of Food as Medicine legislation, there will likely be an even greater need for reliable supplies of locally produced food.

In this video series produced a few years ago, you can explore why helping farmers grow specialty crops — and helping them reach sustainable markets — matters for both communities and local economies.

In the “Buying Local Produce” video, you’ll hear perspectives from a major produce wholesaler, a school buyer, and the Kansas City Food Hub about what it really takes for producers to fit into the growing market for local food.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDEPT3p93gQ

Interested in strengthening your farm or food business? Connect with the New Growth Food Systems team to learn more about available support, resources, and opportunities: https://www.newgrowthmo.org/food-agriculture

05/28/2026

Two child care related fellowship opportunities are now open for the 2026–2027 year:

The Early Care and Education Leader Fellowship -
For early education providers and parents/caregivers of children ages 0–5 who want hands-on experience engaging elected officials and advocating for children and families.

The Health Leaders Fellowship -
For healthcare providers and parents/caregivers interested in learning more about Missouri health policy and building advocacy skills alongside other community leaders.

Do you care deeply about the well-being of children and families in Missouri? Are you someone who wants to better understand how decisions are made at the state level — and how your voice can help shape them? One of these could be for you!

Both fellowships are designed to help participants:

Better understand the legislative process
Build advocacy and leadership skills
Connect with others passionate about children and families
Gain real-world experience engaging policymakers

Fellows will be eligible for a $1000 stipend with active participation.

Learn more and apply: https://www.newgrowthmo.org/post/child-care-and-health-fellowships-now-open-2026

Apply today! Selections to be made in June.

05/28/2026

If you know a rural entrepreneur with a bold idea and a strong story, this could be a big opportunity. 🇺🇸💡The U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched the Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition, celebrating 250 years of American entrepreneurship with a nationwide competition and a $1 million prize pool.

Businesses that have used certain SBA funding programs may be eligible to compete for national recognition and significant cash prizes.

The competition is looking for small businesses that are:

✨ Innovating in their industry
✨ Creating jobs and economic opportunity
✨ Strengthening American competitiveness
✨ Ready to grow and scale their impact

Applications are open through June 10, and finalists will pitch live in Washington, D.C. later this year.

At New Growth and the New Growth Women’s Business Center, we love seeing rural entrepreneurs step into opportunities like this. Sometimes small-town businesses are doing world-class work — they just need the right stage to showcase it.

Learn more and check eligibility here: https://preview.sba.gov/freedom-250/