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28 | 2022 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY Ad Number: 022422nwr9451 Ad Number: 022422nwr6151 417-762-5500 SouthweSt City Veterinary CliniC • Both Large & Small Animals • Emergency • Service Available • Boarding & Grooming 816 N. Main, Southwest City www.siloamspringsvet.com Take the guesswork out of your insurance. Whether it's your car, home, life, or more, I can help you feel good about your coverage, as well as the price you're paying. GET TO A BETTER STATE ™ . CALL ME TODAY. I deliver both. 1101258 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL State of Insurance. Robert P Lewis, Agent 2832 Bella Vista Way Bella Vista, AR 72714 Bus: 479-855-6049 robert.lewis.b2zk@statefarm.com Take the guesswork out of your insurance. Whether it's your car, home, life, or more, I can help you feel good about your coverage, as well as the price you're paying. GET TO A BETTER STATE ™ . CALL ME TODAY. I deliver both. 1101258 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not licensed in MA, NY or WI) State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI) Bloomington, IL State of Insurance. Robert P Lewis, Agent 2832 Bella Vista Way Bella Vista, AR 72714 Bus: 479-855-6049 robert.lewis.b2zk@statefarm.com by Randy Rice - MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY The economic boom in Northwest Arkansas has become a national story. More and more businesses from around the country are establishing a presence in the area. Families are moving and putting down roots, taking advantage of the employment opportunities and the quality of life here. Just across the border, McDonald County is also enjoying prosperity and growth. One of the civic leaders helping to shepherd the economic opportunities is Missouri State House Representative Dirk Deaton, who represents McDonald County. He is excited about the current business climate in the district he represents and is optimistic about its future. One of the factors Deaton attributes his optimism to is the completion of the interstate connection between Missouri and Arkansas that was opened in September 2021. A ceremony was held on the new portion of Interstate 49 on the Missouri and Arkansas line. Both Governor Hutchinson and Governor Parson, along with several hundred members of the community, were in attendance for the historic occasion. Until the ribbon was cut last year, Interstate 49 had several miles missing in what was an otherwise nonstop stretch between Kansas City and Fort Smith, AR. This completion is expected to increase the growth and flow of commerce through the area. "When it comes to economic growth, we've seen some really good things in the past ten years here in McDonald County," said Representative Dirk Deaton. "Other parts of our state, and many parts of the country, have seen decline but that certainly hasn't been the case for us. And when you look to the future, I think we see even greater opportunity just around the corner. We have every reason to believe the next ten years are going to be even better as it relates to economic growth and opportunity for businesses currently residing or considering a move to our county." Beyond the growth in the region, Deaton points out the ways in which Missouri has been working to make things more business friendly and competitive with regard to its neighboring states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. "We've cut regulations on business and we've cut corporate and personal income taxes which I think is making a big difference," Deaton said. "Particularly in McDonald County, our taxes are very low when it comes to property taxes. And, equally important, we've been able to do that without cutting on services to the community like our good quality schools." And when talking about the schools, it isn't just the K through 12 schools. McDonald County boasts a brand new campus built within the last ten years by Crowder College in Jane, MO. Crowder is a two-year trade school and they can cater specifically to workforce development if a business comes in and requires that. Last but not least, Deaton believes McDonald County has one important asset that any business would find attractive – the people. "I think you'd be hard-pressed to find any people in the state, or even in the country, better than the folks in McDonald County," said Deaton. "Honest, hard-working people that any business would be proud to have as employees, as well as friends and neighbors. Add that to the natural beauty of the area, and McDonald County is a very attractive site worth consideration by any prospective business or corporation." New interstate completion, and more, boosts economy Representative Dirk Deaton represents McDonald and Newton Counties (District 159) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018. Prior to his legislative service, Deaton worked for a small Southwest Missouri manufacturer. He is the co-founder of the Noel Betterment Association. Deaton is also a member of the McDonald County Chamber of Commerce, Seneca Area Chamber of Commerce, multiple other area civic organizations and a past president of the McDonald County Republican Club. Missouri Governor Mike Parson watches as Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson cuts the ribbon for the Interstate 49 Missouri-Arkansas Connector.