The Greater Warren County Economic Development Council (GWCEDC) has launched a membership drive in an attempt to generate interest from local businesses. Formed late last year, the nonprofit private and public sector partnership is designed to strengthen the economic base of the area by pursuing job-creating projects and growing existing businesses. The economic development council is inviting all local businesses to attend an information and networking reception on Thursday, April 19, to learn more about the organization. The reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Wright City Lions Club, located at 678 Westwoods Road. There is no fee to attend. The first 45 minutes will include a presentation about the GWCEDC from Josh Beck, managing partner of Community Edge, LLC, who is serving as a consultant to the organization, and Steve Etcher, Boonslick Regional Planning Commission executive director. The remaining 45 minutes will be a social event featuring appetizers and an opportunity for attendees to network and learn more about the organization. Interested businesses are encouraged to RSVP by April 13 by calling 636-456-4555 or emailing info@greaterwarrencountyedc.com. Scott Hays, president of the economic development council and owner of Hays Food Systems in Truesdale, said hundreds of letters inviting businesses to next week’s reception were mailed utilizing addresses received from several sources, including the local Chambers of Commerce and the county. However, he noted that all businesses are invited even if a mailer was not received. Hays said membership applications will be available on April 19 for attendees interested in joining the group that evening. “As we have said all along this is a public-private support team trying to build up Warren County as a place for businesses,” he commented. The economic development council was initially formed by 15 local business owners and so far has around 35 members, with approximately 10 joining last week. Members from the public sector include Warren County, Wright City, Truesdale and Jonesburg. To become a member of the GWCEDC, annual dues are as follows: bronze, $250; silver, $500; gold, $1,000; and platinum, $5,000. Membership dues for governmental entities are based on assessed valuation levels, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. All members will receive the “GWCEDC Insights” monthly e-newsletter, invitation and complimentary admission to the organization’s events, and a copy of the GWCEDC annual report. Members who contribute at least $500 can participate on advisory committees, while $5,000 donors will be part of the group’s leadership roundtable. The funds that are received from the membership dues, Hays said, will be used to market the county to prospective new businesses. With the group having already been involved in positive discussions with companies interested in relocating to the county, Hays hopes its membership continues to grow as it reaches out to existing businesses. “We are very hopeful we can close some of these and get some of these businesses to locate here,” he remarked. “We got some good things we are excited about. I think we are going to see results. I think we got the right guy, the right system, the right team; we have come a long way in six to seven months. We are marketing the county on why it’s a great place to come. There are great assets here.”