501(c)(3) Nonprofit Community Support Organization

Energizing the Revitalization of Our Communities

An alliance of local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations working together to modernize, market, and strengthen Sullivan County and North Central Missouri.

 

We advise, consult, and assist agricultural, governmental, and business stakeholders to promote sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.

Community-Focused Economic Development

We help rural and small-town communities transform aging infrastructure, underutilized properties, and untapped opportunities into sustainable economic drivers that benefit residents and businesses alike.

Leadership & Regional Collaboration

Uniting elected officials, Chambers of Commerce, service clubs, hunting associations, and business leaders to create a shared vision for growth across Sullivan County and surrounding North Central Missouri.

About Us

People often ask: What's the difference between Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce?

The Chamber of Commerce, on the other hand, focuses on supporting and promoting the business community through networking, advocacy, visibility, and programs that help businesses build relationships and succeed.

A simple way to think about it:

  1. Economic Development: Attracting new businesses, supporting expansions, and retaining existing employers to grow jobs and investment.
  2. Chamber of Commerce: Connecting, promoting, and advocating for the local business community.


The most successful communities understand that these organizations complement each other. Economic development works on long-term economic growth, while the chamber helps strengthen the relationships and support network that businesses rely on every day.

They coexist, collaborate, and work toward the same goal: a stronger, more prosperous community for everyone.

President to EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CEO).

About Us

People Often Ask: What's the Difference Between LOCREEDA and the Green Hills Regional Planning Commission?

Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (GHRPC) is a close partner and friend of LOCREEDA, and we work alongside their staff and board regularly. While our organizations share the same regional passion for economic growth, we serve different roles — and understanding that difference helps our communities get the most out of both organizations.

A simple way to think about it:

  1. Green Hills Regional Planning Commission (GHRPC): A federally designated Economic Development District composed primarily of government officials and public agencies, serving an 11-county region. GHRPC’s work centers on publicly funded programs — transportation planning, hazard mitigation, solid waste management, and infrastructure grants — funded through taxes, government grants, and public loan programs.
  2. LOCREEDA (Locust Creek Economic Development Alliance): Composed primarily of private-sector organizations, business owners, and individual community members, working alongside public officials rather than from within government. In addition to the same public grants and loan programs, LOCREEDA also raises private funding — gifts, donations, and tax-deductible contributions from individuals, companies, and nonprofits — specifically for non-infrastructure community improvement projects: beautification, parks, swimming pools, sporting facilities, and cultural venues.


The bottom line:

GHRPC focuses on publicly funded infrastructure and regional planning. LOCREEDA focuses on privately funded community beautification and quality-of-life projects — like our Curbside Appeal initiative — that public grants don’t always cover. Together, we’re able to support a fuller range of projects across our shared region.

 

Collaborative Community Partnerships
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Local Projects Supported
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Stakeholder Organizations Engaged
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Who Are We? And Where Are We Located? And Why Do We Call Our Selves The Locust Creek Economic Development Alliance???

We are Headquartered in Milan, Missouri. But the Locust Creek actually runs vertically beginning in Wayne County, Iowa from the North, and then South down through Five North Central Missouri Counties of Putnam, Sullivan, Linn, and is the boundary between Livingston and Chariton Counties finally reaching its Confluence point feeding into the Grand River, which is a Tributary into the Missouri River, then onto finally the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Largest Main Region – East Locust Creek Reservoir located near Milan, Missouri.

About Us

People often ask: What's the difference between Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce?

The Missouri Community Economic Development Alliance is dedicated to advising, consulting, and assisting agricultural, governmental, and business sectors in promoting and marketing sustainable existing and upcoming projects within Sullivan County and across North Central Missouri.

Led by local government officials and experienced business leaders, we unify public and private sectors to build stronger, more resilient communities.

20 Yrs of Experiences

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Our Services

Our Mission: Supporting and Strengthening Lives Across Our Community

Community Economic Development

Strategic planning and advisory services for revitalizing local economies, attracting investment, and strengthening rural infrastructure.

Business Growth Support

Guidance and consultation for small businesses, agricultural enterprises, and local entrepreneurs to expand and market their operations sustainably.

Government & Administrative Advisory

Support for city councils, county officials, and administrative teams in planning, compliance, and community-focused project execution.

Sustainable Project Development & Marketing

Promoting and marketing current and upcoming projects to ensure visibility, funding potential, and regional impact.

Recent Initiatives

“LOCREEDA ALLIANCE (Locust Creek Economic Development Alliance) qualify as tax-deductible charitable donations/gifts and may be claimed by members and contributors on their annual personal income tax returns, where applicable”

Charity

Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Collaborating with city officials and business owners to modernize storefronts, improve walkability, and attract tourism.

80%

$25,270 Raised

$30,000 Goal

Education

Agricultural Market Expansion

Supporting farmers and agricultural groups in creating stronger regional supply chains and sustainable marketing strategies.

95%

$25,270 Raised

$30,000 Goal

Healthy Water

Regional Club & Council Collaboration

Bringing together the ELK’s Lodge, American Legion, Lions Clubs, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, and conservation associations to unify development efforts.

50%

$25,270 Raised

$30,000 Goal

Beautification

Curbside Appeal Initiative

Cleaning up and beautifying our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces — from daytime curb appeal to nighttime lighting — to build a community people are proud to call home.
50%

$25,270 Raised

$30,000 Goal

New Initiative

A Call for Curbside Appeal

First impressions matter. When a visitor drives through town, when a family considers moving here, or when residents step outside their own front doors, what they see shapes how they feel about our community. LOCREEDA is launching a new initiative focused on the human side of economic development: creating an unmistakable “Curbside Appeal” across Sullivan County and North Central Missouri by cleaning up and beautifying our streets, roadways, sidewalks, and residential yards.

Real, visible change can't happen alone. Join our growing alliance of Board Members and Alliance Members who are helping secure the grants, guide the beautification projects, and shape how we showcase our community to the world.

Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact

Our alliance is open to:

Give a helping hand for a needy people.

Support collaborative economic development efforts across Sullivan County and North Central Missouri. Your partnership helps us assist projects that bring growth, prosperity, and opportunity to rural America.

Have Questions About Partnership? Contact Us Today.
Call us now: (660) 292-1938

Connect With Us to
Get Involved

Testimonials

What Community Leaders Say About Our Alliance

M Hoagland County Official, North Central Missouri

“This alliance has brought together leaders who previously worked separately. Now we operate as one unified team focused on growth.”

Cameron Steve Chamber of Commerce Representative

“Our collaboration with the alliance helped us better market our local initiatives and attract new interest to the region.”