Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

Jerry Martin, Jr. (standing), Associate Director of Technology Transfer & Economic Development and Director of Innovation for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Missouri S&T, shared an overview of how the SBDC supports small businesses as they start, grow and plan for long-term success with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) board Nov. 13, 2025. Funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBDC offers no-cost services to businesses with 500 or fewer employees and $50 million or less in annual revenue. Services include business and strategic planning, funding assistance, intellectual property guidance, disaster preparedness, international trade support and specialized assistance with SBIR/STTR non-dilutive funding. Serving all counties in the Meramec Region except Osage County, Martin emphasized the center’s role in supporting businesses from startup through growth and succession planning and encouraged leaders to refer local entrepreneurs to the SBDC for expert guidance and resources. Osage County is served through the Columbia SBDC office.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 24 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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