Missouri Community Betterment and Its Programs 

Missouri Community Betterment (MCB) is a program of immediate community self-improvement provided by the state and administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. It is an action program designed to increase community development efforts and economic growth throughout help the state by providing technical assistance to those communities requesting help and incentives to promote meaningful and successful projects. In short, the purpose of Missouri Community Betterment is to encourage communities to help themselves. 

The Awards Competition, the Annual MCB Conference and the Five-Star and All Missouri Certified City programs are the principle components of the MCB program. In an effort to retain the best from the past and address the needs of the future, the Missouri Community Assessment Program (MoCAP) has become a part of the MCB program. MoCAP updates, combines and replaces the former Five-Star and All Missouri Certified City programs. 

The Missouri Community Assessment Program

The Missouri Community Assessment Program (MoCAP) is the newest component of the MCB program. It is a technical assistance, recognition and promotion program. MoCap is designed to be used by three (3) types of cities: those that want to be certified as and All Missouri Certified City; those that want to be recognized as a Star City; and those that want to utilize MoCAP to develop their program, but do not wish to pursue AMCC nor Star City status. 

The structure of MoCap consists of five general categories under which are 37 sub-categories. Each sub-category deals with program progress, program standards, goal setting and planning. 

What does MoCAP offer?

Many communities can derive definite benefits through participation in MoCAP. It improves the lines of communication between the local citizenry and the city council, the chamber of commerce and other concerned groups within the community. The program not only helps a community to analyze its assets and liabilities, but also encourages the implementation of a goal setting process and action program. MoCAP directly attacks citizen apathy by inspiring pride in citizen and civic groups in the community and develops the leadership capacities of those involved. 

Through MoCAP an umbrella organization is created to coordinate the efforts of existing groups and organizations. This coordination reduces the possibility of duplicated efforts within the community.

The program assists in the identification of resources, both internal and external, that can be used to accomplish the goals set forth by the community. In addition, state and federal agencies can better identify and offer assistance to communities actively participating in MoCAP.

Aside from the major benefits listed above, there is a process providing a record-keeping system that is excellent for later reference. It makes an idea exchange between communities possible so that others might find better methods to implement their goals. And, of course, a community will be recognized and promoted by the state as a "Star City" or "All Missouri Certified City", depending on the status achieved.

Requirements for Participation in MoCAP

I.     Organization: Communities that wish to pursue the Star City or All Missouri Certified City status using the MoCAP program are strongly urged to have an overall community betterment organization along the lines described in this manual. A description of the organization and its mission statement must be furnished to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

II.     Resolution of Participation: An entry resolution must be adopted and passed by the city council. A copy of the resolution must be sent to the Missouri Department of Economic Development. A sample resolution is incorporated in this manual.

III.    Community Vision: Every community should have a vision of what they want their town or city to look like, what it should have and be. Having this vision gives the citizens something to strive for and attain. It is this vision which will motivate the citizens in their personal, official and volunteer roles to make the vision come true. Communities arrive at their vision through a visioning process using town hall meetings, surveys, focus groups, and other assessment techniques. This process best takes place before the MoCAP process begins. Once the vision is established, and overall goals set for the community, MoCAP is an excellent tool to make that vision a reality. Persons in charge of the 37 different programs within MoCAP should set their goals within these programs or sub-categories that will help realize the overall goals and vision of the community.

All Missouri Certified City (AMCC)

An All Missouri Certified City is any Missouri City certified as such by the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Communities pursuing this status must:

1) Complete the program process and meet the program standards of each required sub-category as outlined in this MoCAP manual. Except in the general category of Economic Development (2.0), all sub-categories are required sub-categories. (For certification guidelines for the general category of Economic Development, see Program Standard E under 2.1 Comprehensive Economic Development.

2) Furnish a MoCAP report to the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The report to the Missouri Department of Economic Development. The report must be narrative in form and must address by line item the prgram process, the program standards, goal setting and plans to achieve the goals. The report must address all required sub-categories. All reports will be kept on file and will be used to promote the community.

3) Be approved by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Certification will remain in effect for three years. Documentation such as maps, brochures, ordinances, minutes, contracts, news releases, etc., should NOT accompany the report, but should be kept on file in the respective offices of each program, both for further reference and in the event that the evaluators may want to review it.

For Information or Volunteers for the Richmond Community Betterment Program, call 816-776-5304.

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