Power Profile: Missy Bonnot, Jefferson City Chamber

When it comes to her work, Missy Bonnot is motivated. Helping the people in her community have better job opportunities and enjoy the area to the fullest is her passion, and that passion falls directly in line with her role as interim president and director of economic development for the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Whether it is long term projects that will improve the community, assisting a company locating to our community, or an existing company to expand, economic development is in my blood,” Bonnot said.

She has worked in economic development for more than 25 years. Bonnot worked for the Missouri Department of Economic Development for 11 years as the Business Expansion and Attraction manager. For the last 16 years, she has led the Chamber's economic development efforts in Jefferson City.

When the Chamber’s former president, Randy Allen, retired at the end of June, Bonnot was chosen to fill the role through the end of 2020.

“There are so many things I would like to accomplish in our community,” Bonnot said. “We are working on several very impactful long-range projects that will affect our community for many, many years to come. The Heartland Port Authority of Central Missouri, Bicentennial Bridge to the Island, and Missouri State Penitentiary Redevelopment Projects are all very exciting and are at different stages of completion.”

Bonnot noted that economic development is a team sport and part of attracting companies to the area is ensuring a safe, reliable energy grid. “Ameren Missouri is always part of those conversations as an economic development partner. Reliability and costs are paramount to companies looking to locate or expand. “The capital investment that has been dedicated in our downtown as part of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan has been a big improvement in infrastructure. From the many state and local office buildings, retail, small business and residents, we all benefit from it on a daily basis,” Bonnot said.

Like all communities, Jefferson City has been impacted by the ongoing pandemic. Bonnot said that every day the Chamber’s staff has some type of conversation about the pandemic. It affects how they interact with members and the programs they provide; it heightens all their activities and the value they can provide to all businesses.

It has also exemplified what Bonnot loves about her community: “First of all, I think we have one of the most giving, charitable communities there is! In our community, like all communities, we are always looking for resources for projects. I am always in awe of how people are so willing to give.”