Fostering Economic Development in Lincoln County, MO

A collaborative group of agencies and leaders have been spurring economic opportunity in Lincoln County, MO. New innovative programs have been paired with ongoing services to empower community members, especially those returning home from incarceration. Through our work in the area, we partner with a number of agencies that support workforce development and reentry services. Learn more about some of these dynamic partnerships below!

Lincoln County Economic Development 

Led by Executive Director Julie Rodgers, Lincoln County Economic Development supports economic growth by attracting new jobs and community investment. The office provides services to support not only businesses but also job seekers.

Earlier this year, we launched pre-release Personal and Professional Development Trainings inside the Lincoln County Jail. When we needed to shift to virtual classes due to COVID-19, the Economic Development Office provided laptops so the class could continue. The virtual classes help participants build their job and life skills while incarcerated, with the goal of improving employment opportunities after release.

Northeast Missouri Workforce Development Board (NEMO WDB)

NEMO WDB manages local workforce investment efforts in 16 counties, including Lincoln County. The Board supports community members on their career journeys through job centers, youth job programs, training programs and more. They also help connect employers with qualified applicants.

The Board has covered the costs for a number of people to participate in our Personal and Professional Development Trainings! They’ve also helped our participants enroll in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services, which help with expenses like rides to work and certifications.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Workforce Reentry Program 

Finding a living-wage job after incarceration can be difficult, and making ends meet without a steady income is almost impossible. To support job opportunities and reduce recidivism for justice-involved individuals, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office launched a Workforce Development Reentry program under the leadership of Sheriff John Cottle.

As part of this program, an Inmate and Residential Training Center was created at the Lincoln County Jail that offers hands-on carpentry training. The sheriff’s office partnered with North East Community Action Corporation and the Saint Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program to launch a creative carpentry training program. Participants are developing their carpentry skills by building tiny homes!

To help individuals at the jail also strengthen critical soft skills, we started leading Personal and Professional Development Trainings inside the Lincoln County Jail in late March 2020. Two cohorts have completed so far, and we just started the third class!

We celebrate the work happening around workforce development and reentry in Lincoln County! We’re thankful to be part of such a dynamic, collaborative effort!

If you’re interested in partnering or bringing our evidence-based curriculum to your community, we’d love to hear from you!