The Northeast Missouri Regional Planning
Commission (NEMORPC) is one of twenty regional planning commissions in
the State of Missouri which are authorized by the State of Missouri
Regional Planning and Community Development Act of 1966 , Revised Missouri
Statutes Chapter 251. The Regional Planning and Community Development
Act of 1966 permitted the establishment of regional planning commissions
to formally organize and band together by counties to promote the spirit
of cooperatively working together to solve problems and plan the future
development of regions and the State of Missouri.
The formation for regional planning commissions was a completely voluntary
effort for the area county and community leaders of the time. The Northeast
Missouri Regional Planning Commission (NEMORPC) was designated such
by the State of Missouri by Governor Warren E. Hearens on the 19th day
of March in 1969. On this date, the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning
Commission was created; with the boundaries of the commission's authority
to coincide with the boundaries of the counties of Adair, Clark, Knox,
Schuyler, and Scotland. The original region served the five counties
and 27 incorporated cities for a total of 32 member governments in Northeast
Missouri.
In January of 1970, the region hired the first Executive Director, Nelson
J. Glasgow and established a one person staff and office space in one
room within the Adair County courthouse in Kirksville Missouri. Nelly
Glasgow, Presiding Judge of Clark County, was very instrumental in the
formation, organization and had been serving as the Chairman of the
NEMORPC since March 19,1969.
On August 16, 1978 the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission
incorporated the Northeast Rural Development Corporation to expand the
mission and objectives for the region in Northeast Missouri.
On October 2,1978 the region of Northeast Missouri was designated by
the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration
as the Northeast Missouri Economic Development District. This was authorized
under Title V of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1985
to designate multi-county districts for the purpose of fostering and
promoting their economic growth.
In 1982, the NEMORPC outgrew the original office space which was
intended for one employee. The NEMORPC was currently employing seven
individuals which required they move to a new office space. The
NEMORPC office was moved to the Second Floor of the
First National Bank Building in Kirksville, Missouri.
In June of 1992, the office was moved to Memphis, Scotland County, Missouri
to the East School building which had become vacant due to the construction
of a new grade school for Scotland County.
During the year of 1992, Lewis County, Missouri petitioned the State
of Missouri and the NEMORPC membership to join the region. In late 1992,
The State of Missouri designated the County of Lewis to the boundaries
of the Northeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission/ Rural Development
Corporation and Economic Development District. We now serve Adair, Clark,
Knox, Lewis, Schuyler, and Scotland counties and the 33 incorporated
cities for a total of 39 member governments in "TRUE NORTHEAST
MISSOURI".
