Looking back on Great Northwest Day 2026, held on February 3-4, I am filled with a profound sense of pride and admiration for our little corner of the state known as “the Great Northwest”. Over 250 citizens, business leaders, and local elected officials across nineteen counties gathered at our state’s capital in Jefferson City, MO to promote and advocate for our region with a unified voice. As this year’s Chairman, I saw firsthand how our steering committee’s work in prioritizing issues—from workforce housing development to expanding rural healthcare access—creates a powerful platform for educating legislators on what truly matters to us. This “one voice” approach is not just a slogan; it is a proven strategy that ensures the nineteen counties of Northwest Missouri remain a priority in the state capital.
The two-day event was jam packed with productive dialogue. We kicked things off with group introductions in the House and Senate galleries from Rep. Dean Van Schoiack & Sen. Rusty Black. The following event included an expert panel discussion diving deep into our regional priorities and how those issues impact our region. That evening, our highly attended reception provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to meet directly with legislators, staff, and state department dignitaries. It was also a special moment to celebrate the presentation of the Northwest Missouri Citizen of the Year Award to a special leader from our region, Pat Dillion. Pat had contributed countless hours over many years serving on the steering committee, and it was an honor to highlight his achievements for betterment of the region.
As my time as Chairman comes to an end, I would like to say thank you to all the countless individuals, sponsorships, and organizations that made this event possible. It has truly been an honor and privilege to have been a part of this effort, and I look forward to the future successes of Great Northwest Day in the years to come.
-Joe Hegeman, 2026 Chairman and United Fiber Director of Community Relations
