JEFFERSON CITY — On Friday, Feb. 1, Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, will host an informal gathering in Carrollton aimed at bringing people interested in economic development in their communities. Local mayors and county commissioners have been encouraged to invite interested people to attend.

“While I traveled the 21st District, getting to know my new neighbors, I recognized that ‘downtown,’ or ‘main street’ areas were the original business districts of many smaller towns,” Sen. Pearce said. “It is in the best interest of these regions, and the towns they serve, to enhance and utilize these already-developed areas to improve local economics and both keep and create jobs.”

To promote the ideas of growth and development, Sen. Pearce is bringing together those interested in these concepts with various individuals dedicated to assisting communities with building up older business districts. Among the presenters are Jeanine Rann, community development coordinator for the Missouri Main Street Connection; Sallie Hemenway, community development coordinator from the Department of Economic Development; and Kim Martin, Missouri Development Finance Board.

The Missouri Main Street Connection is an organization developed to boost all aspects of Missouri’s historic “downtown” business districts in order to develop healthy economies, protect historic assets, and maintain the original hearts of local communities.

“Part of what has made Missouri a great state in which to live and work has been the effort, dedication and community involvement of the people,” Sen. Pearce said. “By bringing this topic to the 21st District and opening this dialogue, I hope to show the economic potential that is ready and waiting to work for us. Our small communities have so much to offer, and they deserve to be enhanced and promoted.”

The meeting will take place at JB’s Steakhouse from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2013.