A new chapter in community development is taking shape in Adair, led by a group of local residents committed to strengthening the town’s future while honoring its past. Elevate Adair, the newly established economic development committee of RIADA, is bringing fresh energy and focus to supporting local businesses, fostering growth and creating new opportunities throughout the community.
A Mission Rooted in Community Pride
At the heart of Elevate Adair is a clear and purposeful mission:“Our mission is to strengthen Adair’s economy by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, attracting new community investment, and increasing downtown activity — all while honoring our small-town loyalty and preserving the legacy that brings generations together. We provide funding and training opportunities to ensure Adair continues to thrive for years to come.”
This mission reflects both a deep respect for Adair’s history and a forward-looking vision for its continued success.
From Idea to Initiative
The creation of Elevate Adair was inspired by a shared recognition: While Adair has strong local businesses and a supportive community, there was an opportunity to better connect resources, increase visibility and create a more unified approach to economic development.
With that goal in mind, local leaders came together under RIADA to form a dedicated committee focused on growth and sustainability. Early efforts centered on organizing leadership, defining priorities and building a structure that would allow the group to effectively serve both businesses and residents.
To guide the initiative, Elevate Adair established a leadership team with clearly defined roles:
• Co-chairs: Renee Jensen and Megan Richter
• Grants and funding: Shannon Haus and Ashley Riggen
• Business outreach and communications: Renee Jensen and Megan Richter
• Property and downtown development: Mike Casey and Jody Schafer
• Events and marketing: Renee Jensen and Megan Richter
The group is further supported by ex officio advisory members Joanne Byars, Brenda Dudley, Ashley Riggen and Diane Littler, and works in coordination with the city of Adair, Midwest Partnership, the Adair Chamber of Commerce and RIADA.
Filling a Needed Role
Elevate Adair aims to serve as a central hub for connection, support and opportunity. The group is focused on filling gaps in communication and visibility — helping businesses share their services, promoting job opportunities and making it easier for residents to engage with what’s happening locally.
Through marketing assistance, resource sharing and collaborative initiatives, the committee is already helping strengthen ties within the community. Early feedback has been positive, with growing interest and participation from both business owners and residents.
Building on Adair’s Strengths
Organizers emphasize that Adair’s greatest asset is its people.
The strong sense of loyalty, pride and willingness to support one another creates a solid foundation for growth. Elevate Adair’s approach is not to replace what already works, but to amplify it — bringing more visibility to local efforts and encouraging collaboration across the community.
Early Progress and Future Vision
Since its launch, Elevate Adair has begun rolling out initiatives designed to make an immediate impact. These include developing a comprehensive business directory, assisting with marketing efforts and offering to share job listings to connect local employers with potential employees.
Looking ahead, the group plans to expand into additional areas such as business support programs and targeted development projects aimed at increasing downtown activity and attracting new investment.
A key component of the initiative is reinvestment. As growth is realized, a portion of that impact will be directed back into the community — supporting existing businesses through marketing assistance, scholarships, internship opportunities and other programs designed to foster long-term success.
Introducing Adair County Area 10-Squared
As part of its continued growth, Elevate Adair is preparing to launch a new initiative designed to make a direct and immediate impact: the Adair County Area 10-Squared giving group.
Modeled on the power of collective giving, this initiative brings individuals together to pool resources and support local projects in a meaningful way. The concept is simple but powerful — members commit to contributing a set amount, and as participation grows, so does the impact. Together, the group will be able to fund projects that might otherwise take years to accomplish.
The first official giving meeting is scheduled for August, marking an important milestone for both Elevate Adair and the broader community. At these meetings, members will have the opportunity to hear proposals, vote on funding decisions and directly influence which local initiatives receive support.
The goal of Adair County Area 10-Squared is not only to provide funding, but also to foster a culture of connection, engagement and shared investment in the community’s future. More information will be available on the Elevate Adair Facebook page.
Sustaining Growth Through Community Support
Elevate Adair is also inviting the broader community to take part in its mission. Local businesses, alumni and residents are encouraged to contribute through voluntary donations to RIADA/Elevate, a 501(c)(3) organization. These contributions will directly support business development, community projects and ongoing economic growth efforts.
In addition to financial support, community involvement remains a key priority. Residents are encouraged to share ideas, participate in meetings and stay connected through the group’s Facebook page, where updates and opportunities are regularly posted.
An Open Invitation
As Elevate Adair continues to grow, the group is actively welcoming individuals who want to make a difference.
Whether someone brings professional expertise or simply a passion for the community’s economic growth, there are opportunities to get involved. From attending meetings to contributing ideas or supporting initiatives, every effort helps move the mission forward.
A Promising Future
Though still in its early stages, Elevate Adair is already demonstrating what can be accomplished when a community comes together with a shared purpose. By focusing on connection, collaboration and sustainable growth, the group is helping lay the groundwork for a stronger, more vibrant Adair.
As momentum continues to build, Elevate Adair stands as a testament to the power of local initiative — and the impact of people working together to shape the future of their hometown.